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After experiencing a devastating earthquake, Sister Dennis testifies of finding peace amid chaos

With Jesus Christ, individuals can ‘go through the earthquakes of life with a peace and a strength that defies logic and understanding’

Sister J. Anette Dennis and her husband, Brother Jorge Dennis, were called to be leaders of the Ecuador Guayaquil West Mission in 2013.

About nine months into their mission, Brother Dennis had a disturbing dream where black clouds approached and many people were running and screaming. A month later, he had the dream again.

“This time we paid attention and chose to believe that it wasn’t just a dream; we started making plans to prepare our mission for an emergency,” Sister Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, related during a devotional at Brigham Young University on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Missionaries put together 72-hour emergency packs and developed emergency plans. Roughly two years later, on April 16, 2016, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Ecuador.

Many buildings collapsed; hundreds of people were killed and thousands injured. Miraculously, none of their missionaries were hurt.

Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, shows a photo of missionaries who served in the Ecuador Guayaquil West Mission when she and her husband served as mission leaders, during a BYU devotional in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024.
Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, shows a photo of missionaries who served in the Ecuador Guayaquil West Mission when she and her husband served as mission leaders, during a BYU devotional in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. | Ellie Alder/BYU

“There were many, many miracles that day — before, during and after the earthquake — that saved their lives,” recalled Sister Dennis. “They felt angels protecting them, and they felt great peace and God’s love for them in the middle of the extreme shaking, chaos and destruction.”

The protection, peace and love the missionaries felt when so many were feeling terror was not just because of their emergency preparation, but because of their spiritual preparation through their covenant relationship with their Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ, Sister Dennis said.

“Dear brothers and sisters, I testify that you too can feel profound peace and God’s love for you in the middle of whatever chaos or uncertainty you may experience in your life, now or in the future. There is power, peace and protection in choosing a strong covenant relationship with our Father in Heaven and the Savior,” Sister Dennis testified.

Speaking to thousands of students and faculty gathered in the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah — and to many more tuning in online — for the last campus devotional of the semester, Sister Dennis invited listeners to use their agency to walk forward with faith, and trust in Christ despite uncertainty.

“With Him we can go through the mists of darkness and through the earthquakes of life with a peace and a strength that defies logic and understanding as we allow Him to be our light and our guide,” she said.

Students fill the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, for the last campus devotional of the semester featuring remarks by Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024.
Students fill the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, for the last campus devotional of the semester featuring remarks by Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. | Ellie Alder/BYU

Trust His capacity to help

In his most recent conference address, President Russell M. Nelson said, “Please listen to this promise of Jesus Christ to you: ‘I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up’ (Doctrine and Covenants 84:88). There is no limit to the Savior’s capacity to help you.”

The Prophet has also taught that individuals who participate in ordinances and keep covenants have direct access to the power of God.

Said Sister Dennis: “Brothers and sisters, these are powerful promises to those who make and keep covenants with God in the house of the Lord. If you have not yet received your temple endowment, I would invite you to ask the Lord if it’s time for you to prepare to enter a deeper covenant relationship with Him. You will need those blessings and privileges in the days ahead.”

Sister Dennis acknowledged that many young adults face uncertainty as they strive to make major life decisions.

Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, speaks during a BYU devotional held in the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024.
Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, speaks during a BYU devotional held in the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. | Ryan Jensen

“As you look down the road at your future and the opportunities that will come to you and the decisions you will be required to make, please don’t make those decisions out of a sense of fear just because you haven’t had any experience and there is uncertainty,” Sister Dennis encouraged.

Don’t allow worldly voices to diminish faith and trust in the Lord and in His called servants, she warned. “Remember the voice of a prophet of God: ‘There is no limit to the Savior’s capacity to help you.’”

Each individual is a child of God sent to earth to learn to walk by faith, Sister Dennis continued. “There are times in all of our lives when we are faced with uncertainty as we walk the path of faith. ... But, I can testify from personal experience that as we choose to move forward with faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ, even though we may feel uncertain, He will bless us with the guidance we need in the time and in the way He knows is best for our growth.”

In conclusion, Sister Dennis testified, “the Lord will be your light and your strength in uncertain times if you choose Him. It is your choice.”

Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, speaks during a BYU devotional held in the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024.
Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, speaks during a BYU devotional held in the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. | Ellie Alder/BYU
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