Prayer and a Divine Heritage

Tina Fealofani, a 15-year-old from the Sydney Australia Mortdale Stake, is like many young people striving to live the gospel in a world filled with distractions. Despite the challenges she faces, she finds strength in remembering that she is a child of God. “I know that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are always there for us, whenever we need help,” she says. This faith has guided her through difficult decisions at school, within her family, and in her personal spiritual journey.

One of the greatest challenges Tina faces is resisting peer pressure. In her school, many students engage in activities that go against gospel principles, such as vaping. “When I started high school, I was unsure if I should be friends with some people because they didn’t always make good choices,” Tina shares. Instead of giving in, she decided to surround herself with friends who support her standards. “I wanted to be in an environment that helps me choose the right. I didn’t want to be pressured into stuff that I know isn’t right,” she explains.

Another way she finds strength is through the priesthood blessings her father gives her at the start of each school year. “Every time I feel down, I think about my dad’s blessing. I remember that he said, ‘You’ll be able to do hard things this year,’ and that helps me,” she says. These blessings remind her that God is aware of her and will guide her through her challenges.

One experience in particular strengthened Tina’s testimony of prayer. One day Tina and her younger siblings were playing in the church garden when they accidentally locked themselves inside. “We were just playing, and then we realized the door was locked, and we couldn’t get out. We started panicking because no one was inside the church to hear us,” Tina recalls. Her younger brother, knowing that they needed divine help, decided to pray. “He just said, ‘Heavenly Father, please help someone hear us and open the door.’ And then, not long after, the bishop just walked by and heard us!” she says. The bishop quickly unlocked the door, and they were freed. “That experience made me realize that Heavenly Father listens to us,” Tina reflects.

This experience deepened Tina’s understanding of the power of prayer. She realized that just as Heavenly Father helped them in that moment, He is always ready to provide guidance and comfort when she turns to Him. “That day, I learned that prayer isn’t just for big things. It’s for everything, even the small stuff. Heavenly Father listens,” she shares. Since then she has made prayer a more consistent part of her life, knowing that it is one of the greatest privileges of being a child of God.

Tina’s relationship with her younger brother also grew stronger through this experience. She saw his faith in action, and it inspired her to trust in God even more. “Seeing my brother pray with so much faith reminded me that we don’t have to go through challenges alone. We can always turn to the Lord,” she says. Their mutual encouragement has continued, especially in their efforts to stay active in the gospel. When one of them feels unmotivated to attend church or seminary, the other steps in to encourage and uplift. “If I don’t feel like going, my brother’s like, ‘Come on, let’s go.’ And if he doesn’t want to, I tell him the same thing,” she adds.

Through her challenges and experiences, Tina has come to understand that knowing she is a child of God is more than just a comforting thought—it is a source of strength. “It helps me to know I can make good choices, that I can pray anytime, and that I have my family to support me,” she explains. Her testimony continues to grow as she recognizes that living the gospel brings real blessings, especially when she turns to Heavenly Father in faith. By embracing her divine identity and the power of prayer, Tina is learning that she is never alone in her journey.

Tina’s story serves as a reminder to all youth that faith in God provides direction and peace in times of uncertainty. Her experience in the garden, her reliance on priesthood blessings, and her daily prayers reaffirm the truth that Heavenly Father is always near. As Tina continues to grow in faith, she hopes that others will also come to know the joy of recognizing their divine identity and the unwavering love of their Heavenly Father.