The talk was about being spiritually prepared for whatever might come our way. Elder Andersen relayed a story about a plane which encountered a flock of Canadian Geese shortly after departure from New York City. Some of the geese got stuck in the engine which caused them to fail. The pilot had to use all of his training and his best judgement and finally decided he would land the plane in the Hudson River. The landing was successful and the 155 passengers onboard were saved. He weaved the story into the doctrine he presented throughout his talk.

He made three points:

1. You are on a jouney through mortality.

   • This is not where we started and this is not where it ends.
   • We gained certain attributes in the premortal life that we carry with us in this life. Our progression is eternal.

2. You are to be a spiritual captain in the Lord's cause with a specific mission.

   • Sometimes people will wonder why they choose to obey the commandments, do good, etc. and others don't care. We were chosen and foreordained to become faithful members of the church in the premortal existence. The Lord saw our potential and knew that we could withstand the temptations of this day.
   • We must always be on guard and always prepare to fulfill your mission on this earth.

3. Your sacred duty is to return safely, and bring many with you.

   • He inserted the word "spritually" to Matt 25:35-40: 35 For I was an hungred spiritually, and ye bgave me meat: I was thirsty spiritually, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger spiritually, and ye took me in: 36 Naked spiritually, and ye clothed me: I was sick spiritually, and ye visited me: I was in prison spiritually, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred spiritually, and fed thee? or thirsty spiritually, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger spiritually, and took thee in? or naked spiritually, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick spiritually, or in prison spiritually, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
   • In life's path we will have obstacles, gate changes (referring to an airport story in which he read the wrong gate and was already running late), and [other things I can't remember and didn't write down], but in the end [persevere] and you will make it. (He and his wife made the flight just in time.)

I enjoyed the fireside. It was pretty lighthearted, yet still full of doctrine. I would recommend checking it out if you didn't attend.