Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke on untangling "worldly nets" and following Christ.

As Peter and Andrew cast their nets into the Sea of Galilee, Jesus of Nazareth called "Follow me."

Peter and Andrew straightway left their nets and followed Christ.

"If the Savior were to call to you today, would you be just as willing to leave your nets and follow Him?,"Elder Wirthlin said.

Nets come in several shapes and sizes and can be anything that entices or prevents us from following the call of Jesus Christ, Elder Wirthlin said.

"We have nets that must be tended and nets that must be mended. But when the Master of ocean, earth and sky calls to us, 'Follow me,' we should leave the entangling, worldly nets behind and follow his footsteps," he said.

It is easy to get caught in a multitude of nets, and the thought of breaking free of them can be threatening or even frightening, Elder Wirthlin said.

"Sometimes we feel that the busier we are, the more important we are - as though our 'busyness' defines our worth," he said. "We can spend a lifetime whirling about at a feverish pace checking off list after list of things that in the end, really don't matter."

Following Christ involves exercising faith and obeying him. These give a fullness of joy, both in this life and in the eternities to come, Wirthlin said.

However, just because a person follows Christ does not mean their life will be free from worry, pain and fear, he said.

"I do not suggest that the road will be easy," Wirthlin said. "But I give you my witness that those who, in faith, leave their nets and follow the Savior will experience joy beyond their ability to comprehend."

Copyright Brigham Young University 6 Apr 2002