During the week of Oct. 15-21, Church leaders took to social media to bear testimony, share inspiring stories and issue invitations.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles posted on Oct. 17 about his recent time in Hamilton, New Zealand, for the temple rededication. He said, “I am delighted this temple will continue to stand more marvelous than ever and cause the work of God to move forward in this beautiful area of the world.”
On Oct. 17, Sister Michelle D. Craig of the general Young Women presidency spoke in a Facebook video with her new friend Emily, who is paralyzed from an accident. Emily shared how her eternal perspective has helped her. Sister Craig said, “Emily is teaching me by the way she is living the youth theme: ‘Trust in the Lord.’”
This wasn’t Emily’s plan.
At the end of April, Emily was in an accident that left her paralyzed.
But Emily is remarkable.
Emily is teaching me by the way she is living the youth theme: “Trust in the Lord.”
Can I share with you a few things I’m going to start saying when life takes me down unplanned roads?
❤️ “Not having Heavenly Father would make it a lot more hard”
❤️ Some trials are visible; others are not. We all have to rely on God.
❤️ Trusting in the Lord is sometimes easier when we take it a day at a time.
What are you learning about trusting in the Lord?
Posted by Michelle D. Craig on Monday, October 17, 2022
Sister Craig followed up the Facebook post the following day with a video of her and Kari, Emily’s mom, who shared how she had relied on the Lord. Sister Craig said, “She made a very intentional choice to turn to God in this trial instead of turning away. She ‘leaned in hard.’”
Remember Emily? I posted a video interview with her yesterday. Now meet her mother, Kari.
I hope I never forget the feeling I had in my heart when I heard Kari talk about the night of her daughter’s accident. She made a very intentional choice to turn to God in this trial instead of turning away. She “leaned in hard.”
The strength to do hard things and feel peace is a result of that leaning in, and it has been important for her to share that with others.
When we are lifted, we lift others.
That is the pattern Christ set for us.
Everyone has hard times at some level, even those who are trying hard to be good and do good. “Leaning in” and trusting that we can be carried and refined in the midst of our hard times will be a blessing.
Lean in hard, and I know you will find Him.
Posted by Michelle D. Craig on Tuesday, October 18, 2022
On Facebook, Sister Tracy Y. Browning of the Primary general presidency posted a video of her sharing what she was touched by after studying the Primary song “He Sent His Son.” On Oct. 17, she said, “I invite you to pray and ask to have Christ’s image in your countenance so that we can be more like Christ every single day.”
I was touched by the Primary song “He Sent His Son” as I considered the ways I’m trying to be like Jesus Christ. I invite you to pray and ask to have Christ’s image in your countenance so that we can be more like Christ every single day.
In what ways are you trying to be like Jesus Christ?
Posted by Tracy Y. Browning on Monday, October 17, 2022
Elder Uchtdorf took to Twitter again this week on Oct. 20 to tell of his time spent with with Dr. Alwi Shihab, the Indonesian President’s special envoy to the Middle East and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Grand Imam of the Mosque, Prof. Dr. K.H. Nasaruddin Umar, M.A.
Elder Uchtdorf said, “We all share the same vision; to seek common ground between our faiths and come to know each other more deeply as children of God.”
Sister Amy A. Wright of the Primary general presidency, posted on Facebook on Oct. 20 about finding happiness through Christ. She shared a video of her speaking at BYU–Idaho recently. Sister Wright wrote, “Because of Jesus Christ, there is joy. We can have joy in this life. Right now.”
BYU IdahoDo we think of Christ’s suffering on our behalf as joyful? Do we think that our individual suffering has the potential to produce joy?
I spoke recently to the incredible young adults at BYU-Idaho. I shared with them how, even as we face heartbreak and difficulty, our capacity to love and to endure well are bound to our love of God and His Son.
Because of Jesus Christ, there is joy. We can have joy in this life. Right now. Not despite the challenges of our day but directly and specifically because of them. And we can have immeasurable joy in the life to come. Tears will dry up. Broken hearts will be mended. What is lost will be found. Concerns will be resolved. Families will be restored. And all that the Father hath will be ours.
Posted by Amy A. Wright on Thursday, October 20, 2022
