PROVO — The gift of eternal life with God does not come without effort, but is the result of a lifetime of righteous actions and an accumulation of wise choices, said President Thomas S. Monson during a Sunday night CES Fireside.

Speaking from the Marriott Center at Brigham Young University, President Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, focused on the impact of individual decisions on one's destiny, in a message broadcast to college-age young adults around the world.

"My young friends," he said. "Each heartfelt prayer, each church meeting attended, each worthy friend, each righteous decision, each act of service performed all precede that goal of eternal life. The reward of eternal life requires effort."

President Monson counseled listeners to focus on three ideals, which, if followed, would help them achieve their goal of returning to live with God.

"Choose your friends with caution; plan your future with purpose and frame your life with faith," he said. Outlining each goal specifically, President Monson encouraged the young adults to find friends with similar goals and worthy ambitions.

"We tend to become like those whom we admire," he said. "Associate with those who, like you, are planning for . . . those things that matter most — even eternal objectives."

If individuals choose proper friends who can uplift and inspire them, they will have the advantage as they plan their future with purpose, President Monson said.

With the age range of the listening audience in mind, President Monson spoke of the importance of preparing for marriage but reminded listeners to maintain their standards as they prepare.

"We must not let our passions destroy our dreams," he said, quoting King Arthur from the musical "Camelot." He continued: "May you follow this most essential counsel. I urge you to hold fast to your standards. I plead with you not to waver."

With his third point, President Monson encouraged listeners to develop lasting faith in the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

"Amidst the confusion of the times, the conflicts of conscience and the turmoil of daily living, an abiding faith becomes an anchor to our lives," he said.

But developing such faith is not an easy process and requires dedication and often sacrifice.

President Monson spoke of one pioneer couple, Catherine Curtis Spencer and her husband, Orson, who were leaving Nauvoo to travel across the plains. Catherine became sick on the journey, and when Orson wrote to her parents, asking if she could come back to Boston to stay with them while he established a home in the West, they refused. Her parents replied that if she would renounce her faith, then, and only then, could she come back to their home.