In his October 2024 general conference talk, President Russell M. Nelson invited us to consider “the most crucial question we each must answer” in this life: “To whom or to what will I give my life?”

Asking ourselves this question may feel simple, but it can be life-changing. Here are a few insights to help you and your family dive even deeper into this compelling, prophetic prompt.

We live in a world that is often “looking for joy in all the wrong places,” as Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf recently put it. And in our day-to-day routines, it can be tricky to know what to prioritize and where to find the most value.

For example, one writer for The Atlantic suggested that many Americans today view work as “the centerpiece of one’s identity and life’s purpose,” looking to their jobs to fill significant needs traditionally associated with religion. Because these needs—including community, meaning, and personal fulfillment—can’t be completely satisfied by our jobs alone, many experience burnout, disconnection, and disillusionment as a result.

This experience isn’t limited to work, either. From social media influencers and celebrities to politicians and self-help books, we hear many voices promising meaning. So, how do we make the most of our time here on earth?

Latter-day Saint scholar Clayton Christensen suggested the best way to measure our lives is to take a long-term strategy, aligning our actions with our values.

In his work as a business consultant, Dr. Christensen observed that people tend to spend their time and money on what will bring the most tangible, short-term sense of achievement—often at the cost of what is really most important to them.

For example, he noticed when his classmates from Harvard Business School prioritized work tasks over consistent efforts in their family lives, they experienced unhappy relationships. Although crossing off a task on your to-do list might provide a quicker sense of accomplishment than investing in a relationship, it’s important to plan your time around what will ultimately matter most later down the line.

Dr. Christensen realized even more the importance of prioritizing his long-term values when he was diagnosed with cancer later in life. “I’ve concluded that the metric by which God will assess my life isn’t dollars but the individual people whose lives I’ve touched,” he wrote.

And when we seek ways to serve others, we will naturally invest in our personal relationships with Christ, too.

When we measure our lives by our commitment to Christ and His gospel, our priorities become clearer. And our days become more meaningful and fulfilling.

“My decision to follow Jesus Christ is the most important decision I have ever made,” President Nelson shared. “During medical school, I gained a testimony of the divinity of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Since then our Savior has been the rock upon which I have built my life. That choice has made all the difference! That decision has made so many other decisions easier.”

This long-term lens has shaped President Nelson’s actions, comforting him through the deaths of his wife Dantzel and two daughters and giving him peace “which passeth all understanding,” even in life-threatening situations.

In his 100 years of living, he has focused on Christ—and ultimately, joy. He has taught:

So, to whom or to what will you give your life? Answering this simple question may just be the key to true satisfaction and eternal joy.

As the Savior taught, “For whosoever … will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

Heart of the Matter

In Heart of the Matter, Russell M. Nelson reflects on the lessons he has learned throughout his 100 years of living, including the core truths that matter most—for this life and the next. Available at Deseret Book and deseretbook.com.

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