Work, Wait and Trust

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What’s Happening in our Stake

Not long ago, I had a conversation with a sister in our stake who feels badly that despite her best efforts, she has not been able to take family names to the temple yet. There are some family and record challenges that she has not been able to overcome. I felt her discouragement and disappointment as we spoke.

I encouraged her to seek assistance from her ward Temple and Family History Leader and hopefully, they will be able to find the information she needs.

Perhaps others of us have also felt disappointment or discouragement in our efforts with family history work or in some other aspect of our life.

One of the major lessons I am learning from our study of the Old Testament this year is that sometimes the Lord’s promises take time to be fulfilled.

Abraham and Sarah were promised they would become the parents of a mighty nation with a posterity as numerous as the sands of the sea. But for ninety years, Sarah was barren, unable to have children. Can we imagine the courage and determination they needed to trust in the Lord’s promise and remain faithful all those years. (Genesis 11)

In his most recent General Conference address, Elder D. Todd Christofferson offered this counsel to those of us who may be facing hardship, betrayal, or setbacks in our lives.

“…rather than get angry with God, get close to God. Call upon the Father in the name of the Son. Walk with Them in the Spirit, day by day. Allow Them over time to manifest Their fidelity to you. Come truly to know Them and truly to know yourself. Let God prevail.”

“In the end, it is the blessing of a close and abiding relationship with the Father and the Son that we seek. It makes all the difference and is everlastingly worth the cost.”

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5,6)

I pray that rather than feeling discouragement or loss of faith, we will see the time we are waiting for the fulfillment of the Lord’s promises as a time to “get close to God”... to know Him better.

May we each strive to do what we can to see the fulfillment of the Lord’s promises…then find peace as we allow the Lord’s wisdom to determine the timing for our blessings.

I love you.

President Gardner