The Promptings of the Holy Ghost Help Me Endure

This year has been quite the roller coaster! Not only have we experienced this crazy pandemic and unrest in the world, but we have had an especially hard year with some unexpected family challenges. It’s hard to watch our loved ones suffer and in turn we suffer right there with them! Through these and other challenges, there have been times I have felt utter despair and with Satan’s lies, of no worth. Through it all, I choose to believe in this plan of happiness and in our Savior and his redeeming love. I have been grateful to notice the tender mercies along the way. I have had many promptings of the Holy Ghost on what to say, and the exact moments to act. I choose to believe in the blessings of the priesthood and the comfort and reassurance that those blessings leave. I recently received a priesthood blessing and as I would silently ask a question during the blessing, those questions were immediately answered. This happened several times throughout the blessing with answers to my silent pleadings with the Lord. It’s as if he were right there speaking to me through his worthy priesthood holder. I choose to believe because I don’t know how I would navigate through this challenging life without the promptings of the Holy Ghost to help me endure and overcome the lies of the adversary.

~Jennifer Taylor

Seeing the Hand of the Lord in Your Life

Last November I was counseled through a Priesthood blessing to increase the amount of time studying the scriptures. I pondered the blessing for a few weeks and then decided on my plan of action. I’m so grateful for that blessing! As I read and studied the scriptures for a few additional minutes each day there were so many teachings that seemed to jump off the page, things that I hadn’t noticed before. As I look back on difficulty of these past several months it is the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon that has helped me to keep going. I have also found great peace in General Conference talks.

A few years ago I read in a book that President Eyring wrote in his journal about how he had seen the hand of the Lord in his life that day. I wasn’t much of a journal writer at the time but I decided that I could at least write a few lines as President Eyring suggested. Since then I have tried to write in my journal about how I had seen the hand of the Lord that day. As I began to record these experiences I became so much more aware of the blessings and the tender mercies me and my family were receiving on a daily basis. There have been days lately when it’s been difficult to come up with something to write about since most days aren’t real exciting and they all seem to run together. When this happens and I get down or discouraged I go back and read some of the entries from my journal. I am reminded of the many blessings the Lord has given me and how grateful I am for those experiences. It helps me to put one foot in front of the other and to move forward.

I Choose to Believe that the Lord speaks to us through the scriptures and the words of our modern day prophets and apostles. These words have brought so much peace and strength to my soul and I’m so grateful for the wonderful blessings that have come to me by studying the scriptures.

~Shauna Weidman

I Know He Believes in Me

I choose to believe because through countless simple and strong tender mercies…I know He believes in me.

There is no possible way I can describe these sacred and sweet moments that have flooded my life, especially these last two years. I never saw coming what came. I never thought I would be fighting the mental battles that I witnessed so many courageous women fight every moment of every day. I never thought I would personally feel those dark places the mind can take you. I never thought I would know the deep despair the adversary relentlessly tries to compress into the hearts of His daughters. It is real. It is a battle. And it is one brave reach in trusting His hand, and the hands He sends, to give you that reassurance…you can do this…He believes in you…and after a simple yet strong reminder one afternoon in May, I held tight to the fact that I knew He believes in me too.

I needed to stop driving and breathe. I needed to stop and just let out the sadness, the fear, and the desperate cry to be given relief from all of it. With my wet and swollen eyes from the hours of tear filled pleading, I finally turned into the nearest church parking lot. The despair and worry was just too great. It was suffocating. Gratefully, I had a dear friend with me in the car, pleading her own prayer to Him for help. She didn’t need to say or do anything. All that mattered to me was that I wasn’t alone.

My despair grew deeper and my fear grew stronger. I wanted to quit. I couldn’t do it anymore. I was exhausted. How can this be happening to me? How can my once calm mind feel like storm raging every moment? Who was I anymore? I couldn’t do it. I was done.

Just as those thoughts came into my mind, another car pulled into that church parking lot. I looked over to see who it was. It was the sweet husband of my friend. I wanted to hide. I didn’t want anyone, especially him, to see me like that. My friends husband walked calmly towards us. He knocked on my window, and with the most peaceful and merciful smile, he told me everything was going to be ok. How did this good man find me? How did he know the mental battle I was struggling with that day? Even seeing the mess that I was, he never asked and never felt he needed to know why. This man knew He knew, and that was enough. This man just came, and shared hope. I could feel it. So, I looked up and by the slightest glance into this good man’s eyes, I knew He was there for Him. I felt in that moment it wasn’t just my friends on either side of me, but He was there and so many from the other side. He believed I could and would get through this. That this battle...all this I was fighting against in mind…will and is being made beautiful. I needed to just be patient. I needed to hold on tight. He believed in me. And that simple truth was enough to let my heart and mind breathe.

We find so many experiences in the scriptures of God finding people where they are, and extending a hand of undeniable confidence in whatever challenge they are faced with. He gives tokens of strength and resiliency to demonstrate His belief in our ability to get through the tests and trials given. He sees and knows we are stronger than we think we are. He sees us perfectly. Loves us unconditionally. He has armed me and you with everything we need to fight through those deeply personal tempests. And as we take His hand and look into His eyes, we will dwell with Him. In a place of peace...of joy...and discover a love He has for us that is profoundly powerful.

How can I not believe in Him who has perfect belief in me.

~Ashley Quist

"I Will Choose Him Again"

This page has been more poignant to me than I could have imagined. It has brought me comfort and peace, and enlarged my faith. We don't ever plan on walking through a crisis of faith with someone very close to us. We don't plan on having our beliefs challenged by those we thought were on the path with us. It's hard to not have the answers to their questions. I've found myself wondering, "what if they're right? Have I been following blindly, without thinking for myself? Am I being scammed, played, defrauded?"

But every time these thoughts come to my head, they are pushed out by the title of this group. I choose to believe. No one is pressuring me, tricking me. I choose this gospel.

Those thoughts are pushed out by an inspired primary song. "Even though it's still hard, with questions that arise every day..." Or "I will choose him again! For he's our Savior and Friend..."

When I feel like things around me are crumbling, peace blossoms when I feel the sunshine in my face. I see those poor crunched tulips that I ran over bloom with bright confidence, not caring what other people might think of the way they are growing.

Joy bubbles through the doubt when my toddler finally convinces me to jump on the "twamp" with her, even though I know I'll probably pee my pants doing it.

Every one goes through trials. Everyone has questions sometimes. But I am so grateful for these tender mercies from a loving heavenly father. These little fireflies of assurance are just enough light in the mist of doubt and depression and darkness to remind me that I DO have a testimony of my own. There are questions and doubts that arise, but every time they do I get one of these little flickers reminding me that Heavenly Father knows as loves me. And then, again, I choose to believe.

~Kim Porter

He Knows My Need

"I choose to believe because I see His hand in my life every day, even in small things if I look. Right before all this craziness broke out, we started redoing our family room. To make a long story short, there were issues with the painting and our painter told us we would have to refinish some walls because the paint wouldn’t work. He said he would try but he didn’t think it would work. I was devastated! My husband had worked really hard and we didn’t have the energy or time to redo it. I broke down in tears in prayer to my Heavenly Father asking if there was any chance for a miracle, even in this little thing that the painting would work. I left to take care of my mom. While there, I received a text from the painter that it looked great! It didn’t need redone. It was a little miracle to me. I believe because I know the power of prayer and fasting. Even in things that seem trivial, He knows they are important to me. I choose to believe because I can look back at the recent changes in the church and what we have been asked to do by the prophet and see that we were being trained and prepared to handle the trials for this crazy time. It’s such a turbulent time with the uncertainty of the economy and jobs, as well as the illnesses, but the more I remember Him, the more peace I have and am hopeful for the future." -Nancy C.

Looking for Tender Mercies Gets Me Through

"Even when life is uncertain and I have heart wrenching trials, I choose to believe. I believe because I know my Heavenly Father loves me and hears my prayers! When I am struggling through trials, I look for the tender mercies that help me get through each day. I am grateful for my testimony, my family, our church, the temples, the missionary program, and ministering. I love to serve others as it helps me feel happy." -Lori Cebollero

I Choose to Believe in Good Things to Come

Women's Conference Talk by Lindi Salmon 

"In 1815, the Indonesian island of Sumbawa was lush and green with recent rain. Families were preparing for the dry season ahead, as they had every year for generations, cultivating rice paddies in the shadow of a volcano called Tambora.

"On the evening of April 10, the whole mountain exploded. Three fiery plumes shot skyward, merging into one massive blast.

"The eruption caused temperatures in India to drop, and cholera killed thousands, destroying families. In fertile Chinese valleys, summer snowstorms replaced a normally mild climate and flooding rains destroyed crops. In Europe, food supplies dwindled, leading to starvation and panic.

"The eruption of Tambora affected weather in North America through the following year. Spring gave way to snowfall and killing frosts, and 1816 passed into memory as the year without a summer." (Saints)

Now I want to tell you about my own year without a summer. Nine months ago, almost to the hour, I was lying in an ICU bed. During the previous 24 hours, I had suffered the final stroke that was part of what doctors later called a shower of strokes. I had lost many abilities, including being able to walk,  eat, or even really lift my head.

I had been Life Flighted to a different hospital and listened as doctors had explained to my sweet husband that if current treatments did not work, the only option left was brain surgery. This only had two outcomes, further injury or death. As I lay there, I listened to nurses describe my situation. Being a nurse myself, I never thought I would see a patient live through this--let alone live through it myself. I was at a complete loss. I remember closing my eyes thinking, “What next?” in complete despair.

Always Remember Him

by Shalee Timothy

 In D&C 20:77 it says:

Photo from lds.org; used with permission.

O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. 

 How do we remember Christ? We can remember Him by trying to be like Him.

One of the greatest things that the Savior did was to serve and help others. I got to be the recipient of this great service from a few amazing youth that the Lord worked through. We get the opportunity to be the Lord's hands. He works through us, young and old.

We hear this prayer that I started with every week when we partake of the sacrament. It has a new profound meaning to me the past couple of weeks.

I wanted to share an experience I had just a month ago. As many of you know, we own a few FiiZ Drinks stores. Late one Saturday night, one of the employees messaged me asking if I could run in to fix an issue with the soda. I usually never need to run up, but my manager was out of town, so I ran up to see what the problem was.

Right before I had left, we found our five- and two-year-old in our newly finished basement, eating a brand new, full jar of Nutella…with their fingers! To say that I was freaking out would be an understatement. As I was scolding them for “knowing better than eating downstairs AND with their fingers,” I was finding Nutella everywhere: in their hair, on the couches, on the bathroom faucet, sink, light switch, and my freshly cleaned white towels and bath mat. As I continued to find more and more chocolate stains, I looked at my husband and said, “This one is on you. I’m out of here!”

Angels Were Singing to Me

Photo from LDS.org, used with permission

This talk was given at the 2019 stake women's conference.
by Lindi Salmond

To quote a good friend, life gets heavy. It can be burdensome, tiring, scary, and overwhelming. Sometimes I find myself deep in these feelings. Life feels like just a lot of work.

At some point in my misery, Heavenly Father gently reminds me to return to Him, remember my covenants, and give my burdens to him. If, at this point, I listen to his counsel and find Him through scriptures, prayer, and temple attendance, my days become lighter. It is just like those first rays of sunshine breaking through an overcast sky.

To me, this is especially true with temple attendance: it is the sunshine to my soul. When I find myself in the temple regularly and consistently, my days that used to be so heavy are now filled with light. They turn from the gray days of January to the bright beautiful days of June. It’s not that the hard things have gone away--we still have thunderstorms in June! But focusing on my covenants, which in turn strengthens my relationship with my Savior, my burdens are no longer mine alone.

Covenants do that for us; they yoke us to the Savior and, unlike yoking with regular animals that evenly share the burden, He does most of the heavy lifting! When my days are bright I can, in turn, find others to help on their way.

When we say “rejoicing on the covenant path,” I can’t help but picture myself linked arm-in-arm with my dear sisters walking down the path of life. We are laughing together, serving each other in our times of need, worshiping together, and even crying with each other. That is true rejoicing to me--when we can help others, and in turn, they lift us up as well. Our covenants put us all on the same path, giving us each other. I cannot think of a better gift.

As some of you know, I have Lupus, and with that comes all sorts of different things that I deal with. Most are just nuisances. I had been dealing with a cracking voice for a few months (think teenage boy; it wasn’t my favorite). One day I was sitting in Relief Society, and one of my favorite songs was being sung for our closing song. With the way my voice had been, I couldn’t hit any high notes in songs. Usually, it didn’t bother me--I would just silently skip the parts I couldn’t reach--but I really wanted to sing this song. I pleaded with Heavenly Father to please let my voice work for just this one song.

As we started singing, I was hopeful but as we got to the first high part, my voice failed. I was so disappointed, but that disappointment only lasted a second because as I sat there silent my sisters all around me continued singing: angels were singing to me. I felt as if He was saying to me, "You can’t do it right now, but they can do it for you." The love of my Savior for me was so strong at that moment, and it came through my ward sisters.

What is rejoicing on the covenant path? To me, it is the description of this beautiful life we have been given the chance to live. Staying close to the Savior with the companionship of others as we all strive to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. I am eternally thankful for this truth in my life.

Are We Not All Beggars?

Image from LDS.org, used with permission

In Relief Society recently, we studied Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's talk "Are We Not All Beggars?" from October 2014 General Conference. It was a wonderful lesson. Our instructor asked us to think of a time in our lives when we have needed something, whether that was spiritual, temporal, emotional, or physical, and how our needs were met, and then write it down on some cards she provided.

The response was overwhelming, and only a few could be shared in class. Following are twenty-one different responses to that question. They are amazing and show not only how we all are in need, but also how much our Heavenly Father loves us and meets our needs Himself or through those around us. They also show that we hold great power to affect others' lives for good if we will but reach out!

"Are we not all beggars? Don't we all cry out for help and hope and answers to prayers? Don't we all beg for forgiveness for mistakes we have made and troubles we have caused? don't we all implore that grace will compensate for our weaknesses, that mercy will triumph over justice at lease in our case?" --Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

  *
My family is not close by (we are in four states). Many times I have needed my mom, but I feel terrible asking her to spend the money and time to come help. She has never said no and is always willing to hop on a plane or drive the eleven or twelve hours to be here.

*

I appreciate a faithful man who is my son's home teaching companion. He not only ministers to his home teaching families, but he is also the hands of Christ reaching out to rescue a young man who is struggling. He has continued to make the effort to be a friend to my son for many years. My greatest desires for my children are met through the kindness and service of this wonderful man and other caring people in the ward.

*

I was slowly growing more ill day by day when I was only two years married. I was substituting at the time at a junior high school, limping into the school each morning. Eventually I couldn't walk, not even get myself to the bathroom. I could only lay on the couch in pain. My mother-in-law came and sat by my side for a couple of days to be there for me and help me.

*

When I was about 19 I had made some poor decisions. I knew they weren't the best decisions, and one bad decision led into another. I felt like a horrible person. I started to withdraw from my family and people I loved the most because I felt ashamed and unworthy. My good friend asked me one day how things were going, and I eventually spilled the beans. She reminded me that just because I had made a few bad decisions and mistakes that all was not lost. I was still a good person. Knowing that she believed in me and loved me helped me to love myself again and see that all was not lost.

*

Addiction, Forgiveness, and the Atonement

Name Withheld
When my husband and I were dating, he decided he had to tell me about his addiction to pornography. He was clearly embarrassed and repentant, and had been "sober" for some time. I was surprised but felt honored that he trusted me with this secret. If anything, I loved him more after that. This was a battle we were going to fight together. It was his past and we'd have to fight it, but we'd be fine. I wasn't so naive to think that it wouldn't cause strain in our relationship, but I didn't anticipate the heartache, anger, self doubt, and betrayal.

From MormonWoman.org

His sobriety lasted through our dating, engagement, and first three months or so of marriage. When he then admitted he had viewed pornography, I was felt so stupid. How did I not know what was happening in my own home? Was I not enough? I plunged into feelings of worthlessness.

I remember thinking, "He's such a good man. How can he do such a disgusting thing? He loves me. How can he do something so hurtful? Does he really love me?" I felt very alone. I respected the fact this was his secret to keep or share, but that left me with nobody to talk to. I was so hurt that I used anger to cope with the sorrow.

All of those feelings were mixed up with gratitude that he came to me with the truth and that he knew he was wrong. I was heartbroken that right when I needed comfort the most, I couldn't ask the man who stood at my side for a blessing of comfort. He was not worthy to use the Lord's priesthood. He knew it, and I could see how ashamed and sorrowful he was.

The Story Behind The Song "Daughters in His Kingdom"

by Tami J. Creamer and Renée W. Packer
Every song has a story of its inspiration and purpose. Most of us may never know the stories behind the beautiful songs of our church, but when we do, or are a part of that story, it needs to be shared. "Daughters in His Kingdom" is such a song!

In September 2011, Renée Packer, Stake Relief Society President in the Layton Utah South Stake, was visiting with her ward Relief Society President Raegene Weston, who voiced her concern that some of the young women entering into adulthood had a challenging time accepting that they were now going to be a Relief Society sister. Sister Weston said that lessons and songs were taught in Primary to help boys prepare for the priesthood, but she couldn't think of any songs or lessons that would help the girls look forward to Relief Society.

Renée, who also volunteers in the Relief Society Building resource room in Salt Lake City, discussed this issue with Sister Denise Doxey of the General Relief Society board, and proposed the idea of asking someone to write a song that would help the sisters of the church, from Primary age on up, to have a greater understanding of their purpose and potential as faithful women and daughters of God. Sister Doxey told Renée to go ahead with the idea and suggested the title as it stands today.

In October 2011, after much prayer, Renée felt impressed to call her friend Tami Creamer, who composed “I Know That My Savior Loves Me,” to ask her to write a new song joining the voices of Primary girls, Young Women, and Relief Society sisters. Tami had long ago envisioned composing a song with the same purpose. They both knew that they must go forward with faith.

Dependent on the Lord

by Renee Packer
In this day and age when we have become so reliant on our computers, the loss of information for a lengthy period of time can be a difficult one. Recently one of our home computers had such a failure, and even though most of our files were recovered, there were about eight months of my very important stake Relief Society files that were not recovered. We did all we could to locate them but to no avail. Fortunately I had some of my files on another computer and in e-mail attachments, but still valuable information was lost.

Even though this was a misfortune for me, for some reason I kept calm. I kept reflecting on the recent CES talk given by Elder David A. Bednar, “That We Might Not Shrink,” and knew that the Lord was aware of my loss and that all would be well. He asked in his inspired talk if we had enough faith to “not be healed,” or in my case, not have my files recovered. I realized that I did have enough faith and that there were worse things than losing files.

I continued to use his analogy in so many areas in my life, be it from the very challenging to the small inconveniences we face. Each time, I realized it was all dependent on my faith if those areas did not produce the positive or otherwise results that I desired. The strength of our faith is not in how optimistic we are that we will receive what we desire. It is dependent on our faith in the Lord to accept His will and know that the Lord will bless, comfort, and strengthen us through our experiences and to NOT shrink in the process through our trials of faith.

The Better Choice Was to Quit My Job

by Marisa Sharpe
I always knew that when the time came for me to start my family, I would quit whatever job I had and be a stay-at-home mom. I knew how important it was to be home because my own mother was not able to be a stay-at-home mom when I was growing up. I did not want the same for my children. I had earned a master's degree and was working as an elementary teacher when I married, and I loved my career. My husband spent the first two years of our marriage finishing school and had a job waiting for him upon graduation.

 Four months later, while on vacation in southern Utah, on the side of a dirt road, by cellphone, he was laid off. No warning, no severance, no nothing. Three days later when I didn't start my period, I told him we might be pregnant. His exact words were, "I just got laid off; of course we're pregnant!"

To our great joy (we had been trying to conceive for three years), we were. My husband was very diligent about searching for new employment: networking, interviewing, calling, everything that goes along with the process. I continued working and being the emotional and financial support for our family. 

 Now, saying one will quit a job to start a family when the husband has a job with good prospects is one thing. Saying one will quit a job when the husband is unemployed is quite another. My husband had much anxiety over the matter; I remember being quite calm overall, but to have both of us unemployed just wasn't prudent. I knew it was just a matter of time before he had another job, but how much time? The baby was due in December. 

Steadfast in Christ Through My Storms

by Ariane Packer
When I was 25 years old my husband was called to serve as the bishop of our ward. I was young and inexperienced. While my husband served as the bishop I experienced my first bout of major depression. I did not want anyone to find out. I felt so humiliated and weak. The wife of other bishops seemed to be so strong; and then there was me. At the current time, I was not aware of any who had struggles like mine.

What I didn't realize to begin with is that depression didn't mean I was weak or inadequate, it meant that I was dealing with the trial of a mental disorder. The effects of this trial started to take a toll on my family, particularly my husband. He knew of the seemingly black hole that I was in, and he felt torn between the sacred role of a husband and the important role of a bishop. He recognized that we needed some additional help to get our family through this trial.

He told the Relief Society presidency of my struggles and they were so kind, loving, understanding, and were very instrumental in helping me make it through the darkness of that bout of depression. This was a very humbling experience for me but one that marked the beginning of my willingness to begin to share with others my trial of mental illness.

A few years after my first bout of clinical depression, I again was faced with the battle of depression. However, this time it was more severe than my first bout. As I experienced some of my darkest moments in the midst of depression, my emotions, feelings, and thoughts were distorted, making it difficult to feel the precious gift of the Holy Ghost and the constant and unconditional love of our Father in Heaven and our Savior, Jesus Christ. At times I felt numb as I sat in church meetings or listened to spiritual messages. I knew that I had a knowledge and testimony of these things, but I had a difficult time feeling the warmth and confirmation of the Holy Ghost.

Heavenly Father Will Help Me Succeed

by Rhonda Dover

“Dear daughters of God, you are the crown jewels of all His creations.
There has never been a sunset, symphony, or work of art as lovely as you.
May you catch the vision that you are destined to be a refined and regal queen.”
(Douglas L. Callister, Ensign June 2009)

I am a daughter of God, destined to be a refined and regal queen, and I know Heavenly Father loves me and will help me to succeed as I ask in faith.

Years ago I read a book that inspired me, and this thought from the book--“Heavenly Father knows how to sew drapes”--reminds me that Heavenly Father will help me with anything when I ask in faith.

While sewing a lace dress for my daughter to wear to a school dance, my sewing machine decided to be temperamental—the thread kept breaking because the lace was so delicate. If Heavenly Father knows how to sew drapes, he certainly knows how to sew the lace dress, so I knelt in prayer and humbly asked in faith for the Lord to help me.

As I closed my prayer and stood up, the thought quickly came to my mind to use waxed paper. What a great idea! When I sandwiched the lace between two sheets of waxed paper, it provided enough substance for the sewing machine to sew the delicate lace and was transparent enough to see through. When the seams were sewn, I simply tore away the waxed paper. My daughter had a beautiful dress, and I knew Heavenly Father loved me.

“Trust in the Lord with all thy heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:56)

It is my testimony that the Lord always directs my paths when I ask in faith.

Looking for the "Silver Lining"

by Wendy Redford
When I was a young mother with a three-year-old, we struggled to get pregnant again. After many tries with fertility treatments, nothing happened. We earnestly prayed that we could have more children in our home. After much fasting and prayer, we began looking into adoption. Things fell into place so quickly once we started looking into this, that we knew that Heavenly Father was helping us.

Shortly after finding out that a wonderful baby boy would be joining our family, I found out that I was pregnant. Having faith that this is what we were supposed to do, we went forward with both the adoption and the pregnancy. After the adoption went through and child #3 was born, I really struggled with my faith, my sanity, and my testimony.

 The Spirit whispered to me that Heavenly Father would give me nothing I could not handle without His help.

 It was about two months after having a baby and a newborn that the Spirit whispered to me that Heavenly Father would give me nothing I could not handle without His help. From that point forward I have tried to exercise my faith by finding the "silver lining" in even the toughest situations. It is through these seemingly insignificant tender mercies that I increase my faith daily.