A new series of videos from the Church features the story of Sister Reyna I. Aburto, second counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency, and how she has overcome trials in her life.
"I knew I needed to share my story, even though there were parts of my life that I didn't want to relive," Sister Aburto shared in an accompanying blog post on LDS.org.
In the post, Sister Aburto shares that Sister Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society general president, had been encouraging Sister Aburto to share her story and help other members get to know her.
Although hesistant at first, Sister Aburto "felt strongly that I should share my conversion story."
The videos break up her story into three parts:
The first video begins with a 9-year-old Sister Aburto in her home country of Nicaragua. A terrible earthquake destroyed their home and killed her brother.
At this time of great pain, she still felt so much love from family, friends and neighbors who ministered to the family in their time of need. She relates the story of a man they didn't know well who made a coffin for her brother after learning the family had not been able to secure one for the burial.
Throughout the three videos, Sister Aburto also discusses her divorce. It was not something she initially wanted to do, but "knew I needed to," she said in her blog post.
Sister Aburto focuses on three lessons she has learned in her life:
1) Hard times don't define us — they refine us.
2) Loss is not forever.
3) The Lord will lead us where He needs us to be.
"I want people to know that there will be a brighter day — the sun will shine again, and things will not be difficult forever," she said.
Sister Aburto asks those who watch the videos to share them "with those in your life who may need to be reminded that the sun will shine again."
Watch the videos and read more from Sister Aburto here.
