We had an interesting discussion in our High Priest Group meeting today about staying on the Lord’s side of the line (Lesson 18).

I especially liked the instructor’s comment about honest, frequent self evaluation.  If we are daily reviewing our actions, words, thoughts, and desires, and if we quickly recognize and admit even the small errors we make, we will not stray far from the straight and narrow path.

This discussion reminded me of a talk from President Uchtdorf where he uses an airplane analogy to illustrate an important lesson.  An airplane, if only off course by one or two degrees will not reach its intended destination and could have a tragic conclusion.

“Small errors and minor drifts away from the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ can bring sorrowful consequences into our lives. It is therefore of critical importance that we become self-disciplined enough to make early and decisive corrections to get back on the right track and not wait or hope that errors will somehow correct themselves.”

“The longer we delay corrective action, the larger the needed changes become, and the longer it takes to get back on the correct course—even to the point where a disaster might be looming.”

The rest of the talk is available here.

I think that the most beautiful aspect of the gospel is that where we are is not as important as the direction that we are headed, and no matter how far off course we may have strayed, if we desire to return, Jesus Christ and the Atonement are there and will help us return if we allow them.