I was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in my mid-twenties in London, joining a host of new young single adult friends in my newfound faith.

During the first sacrament meeting following my baptism, I was asked to come to the front of the chapel, and the congregation was invited to raise their hands as a sign of welcome to the ward and to the Church.

This was an unfamiliar practice to me, but I looked into those smiling faces and I felt as if they were cheering me on, genuinely thrilled that I had discovered faith in Jesus Christ and a desire to follow him.

Many of my new friends had recently experienced the same welcome and transition into a life of faith.

A week later, I was invited to meet with the bishop.

He had taken time to get to know me when I was being taught by the missionaries.

there is so much

more that rises with us.

So much more that is more challenging to quantify, to weigh, and to measure.

But certainly our gentleness, our meekness, our patience, and our pure love Yes, goals, plans, industry, and achievement all have a place in our mortal journey.

And I wouldn't change a thing I said to those missionaries.

But let's consider a balancing principle.

Four professors from Arizona, Wharton, Northwestern, and Harvard.

Can we