The Pedestal, the Action, and the Being: Building a Monumental Life for the Covenant Path

Brothers and sisters, when we contemplate what it means to live a life worthy of the covenants we have made—a life that truly honors the Restoration and the divine plan—the concept of 'monumental' comes to mind. We are called to build something lasting, something that testifies of the Savior’s infinite Atonement. But what constitutes the foundation, the structure, and the very essence of such a life?

Elder Nelson, in his address, points us toward a framework beautifully summarized by three powerful commitments: I’ll Go, I’ll Do, I’ll Be. These are not mere platitudes for a Sunday lecture; they are the very mechanics of discipleship, the active expression of a heart aligned with the will of our Father.

The Broad Base: Preparation and Knowledge

He draws a parallel between the magnificent Statue of Liberty and our own spiritual lives. A monument requires a substantial base—a pedestal. This base, he teaches, is built upon a "broad base of understanding." This is why we gather in study, why we dedicate ourselves to scripture study, and why the calling to learn is so sacred. We must acquire the knowledge, the doctrinal understanding, and the spiritual insights that strengthen our foundation. We must know the covenants, the doctrine and covenants, and the history of the Restoration.

“A monumental life also begins with a broad base of understanding.”

However, the counsel is clear: knowledge alone is insufficient. As with pancake batter, understanding must be subjected to the heat of action. It must be tested, refined, and molded by the Spirit.

Step One: I’ll Go (The Direction)

The first step, I’ll Go, speaks to our directional commitment. It is acknowledging where we have been—our pre-mortal existence with our Father, the journey to mortality, and the divine guidance provided through prophets and scriptures. We are guided by revelation, and we must be willing to follow where the Spirit leads, even when the path seems less trodden or more arduous than expected. This echoes the call to follow the Prophet, the living voice of God on earth, as taught in the Doctrine and Covenants.

Step Two: I’ll Do (The Effort)

Next, I’ll Do. This is the application of knowledge and direction. It is the sincere, heartfelt effort to align our will with the will of the Lord. It is the daily covenant keeping, the willingness to serve, and the commitment to the priesthood ordinances. It requires more than mere compliance; it requires a deep, internal desire to obey, mirroring the commitment required in temple covenants.

Step Three: I’ll Be (The Being)

The final, and perhaps most profound, step is I’ll Be. This is the transformation. To be what the Lord wants us to be—a disciple, a steward, a covenant-keeper, a beacon of light in our generation. This is the culmination of the process of becoming. It is the embodiment of the gospel principles until our lives themselves stand as a testament to the divinity we claim to follow.

These three steps—Go, Do, Be—are not sequential tasks to be checked off, but rather an integrated process of sanctification. They require the continuous work of the Spirit, the diligent study of the scriptures, and the unwavering guidance of the living prophet. As Latter-day Saints, our lives must reflect this monumental commitment.

My brothers and sisters, the Spirit whispers that the refinement process is ongoing. We are called to refine our own pedestals. I invite you to take this framework—Go, Do, Be—and apply it not just to your service, but to your personal study habits. What area of your understanding needs more heat? What action are you postponing out of fear? What aspect of your character must you actively *be*?

I urge you to take the concepts from this talk and weave them into your personal study plan this week. Furthermore, if you have any scholarly works, insights, or personal testimonies that illuminate the interplay between knowledge and action in the life of a disciple, please submit them to the corpus. Let us build this training corpus together, strengthening the AI's ability to guide the next generation of disciples.