Becoming Pure Vessels in the Hands of the Lord

Dear sisters and brothers, thank you for joining me today. Oh how we love you and pray for you. We are grateful for all the good you do, both seen and unseen. I know that the Lord sees you and knows your good heart, and He loves you for it! He is aware of you, your family, your concerns, your desires, and your joys.

Today I thought I might share a few thoughts that have been on my mind lately around preparing ourselves to be pure vessels in the hands of the Lord in preparation for His Second Coming. This includes keeping our hearts soft and open to the Lord and His ways. As we strive to be pure vessels, the Lord can more readily speak to our hearts and teach us of His ways. And as covenant-keeping disciples of Jesus Christ we do our best to use our learning, growth and any increase spiritually or temporally, for His purposes—to help bless and “benefit the world,” just as the theme of this conference goes.

May I just briefly share, that as I travel near and far and have the blessing of being with you and our sisters and brothers in all corners of the earth, it is a privilege to witness how the Lord never misses an opportunity to love and bless His children. He just doesn’t. He loves you too much. You are His child. And I pray today you may feel of His love and be blessed by His Spirit in the ways which you need.

With that in mind, I’d like to learn with you about seven ways in which we can become pure vessels in the hands of the Lord.

First—Realize that what you have to offer the Lord is good. And all that is good is of God. You have gifts, personalities, experiences, and perspectives that are needed now, and the Lord will not waste your consecrated efforts. He knows where you need to be and the sphere of influence you have. He also knows who you need in your life and who you will be influenced by. Your placement and purpose as covenant keepers is never happenstance.

You were not sent here to be someone else. You were sent here to be you, and to let the Lord refine your spirit and to grow your gifts and talents for His glorious purposes. There is great joy and fulfillment in placing our gifts in the hands of the Lord.

A good friend once told me, “Just because something comes easy, doesn’t mean it’s not a gift.” So, identify your gifts with gratitude, including those that come easy, and seek to offer them to the Lord, that He may “consecrate thy performance…for the welfare of thy soul” and the welfare of those around you. Know that there are more gifts to come if we are to become as our heavenly parents. There is much more to you and I than I think we realize. The Lord has said, “And all this for the benefit of the church of the living God, that every man may improve upon his talent, that every man may gain other talents, yea, even an hundred fold, to be cast into the Lord’s storehouse …seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God.”

While I was on assignment in Finland, one dear sister stopped me just as I walked into a church lobby and said, “Sister Yee, I was going to make you banana bread, but then I didn’t.” I wasn’t sure how to respond but said “thank you.” She continued, “I thought banana bread would make you feel more at home, but then I thought that would be a silly thing to do.” I stopped this dear sister and echoed the words of Sister Camilla Kimball, President Kimball’s wife, and said, “Never suppress a generous thought.” Again, what you have to offer, my sisters and brothers, is good. Follow the generous impressions of your heart and minister as He would. Don’t worry so much about what others will think. And those you serve may or may not receive you or your efforts, but that may not be the full purpose of that impression. As Elder Renlund taught, “When God directs us to do one thing, He often has many purposes in mind.”

When it comes to callings and assignments like ministering, you may wonder why the Lord has called or assigned you, and what you can offer. May I share an experience. While serving on the Temple and Family History Executive Council, I remember watching Elder Bednar respond to a question from a newly called temple president. The question was, in essence, “Why would I be called as a temple president? I’ve never even served as a temple worker.” To that, Elder Bednar responded, and I paraphrase, if you feel like you don’t know what you’re doing, you’ll be just fine. Because you’ll reach for your Father in Heaven and Savior in a way that someone who knows what they’re doing wouldn’t reach. You’ll ask questions that someone who knows what they’re doing wouldn’t ask.

In essence, you’ll come to know the Lord in a way that someone who knows what they’re doing wouldn’t. So, my friends, if you feel a little uncomfortable and unsure in what you are being called or asked to do, know you’re in the perfect spot for the Lord to work with you. It’s when we feel like we know what we’re doing that we might be in danger of not seeking the Lord and hearing His voice, and growing closer to Him.

The Lord called a young Enoch to preach repentance unto a people who had gone astray. Enoch was concerned about his capabilities and what others thought of him.

“He bowed himself to the earth…and spake before the Lord, saying: Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?”

Listen to the Lord’s assuring response and the powerful promises He extended to Enoch.

“And the Lord said unto Enoch: Go forth and do as I have commanded thee, and no man shall pierce thee. Open thy mouth⁠, and it shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good. Say unto this people: Choose ye this day⁠, to serve the Lord God who made you.

Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.”

These powerful promises were fulfilled. And the Lord established Zion with the prophet Enoch.

The Lord was with Enoch. And He will be with you and me as we choose to “go forth” in faith and let Him do His work through us. We offer who we are and what we have, and the Lord mercifully blesses and sanctifies us and our efforts—our imperfect loaves and fishes—to the miraculous blessing of multitudes. Let us walk with the Lord in faith and praise Him for His goodness to us, always.

Second—Strive to keep your heart soft, yielding to the Spirit.

We know the Lord will have a humble people. A people who will have Him to be their God in all things, who love Him with all their heart. Who seek to hear His voice and act in faith. Our trials and troubles are to this end—to help us become a humble people with a deep and abiding relationship with our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ.

We can hear this process taking place in the plea of the prophet Joseph Smith, and the Lord’s loving response, as Joseph and other saints were held captive in the freezing inhumane conditions of Liberty Jail while violence was upon the Saints in Missouri.

“O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place? How long shall thy hand be stayed, and thine eye, yea thy pure eye, behold from the eternal heavens the wrongs of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries? Yea, O Lord, how long shall they suffer these wrongs and unlawful oppressions, before thine heart shall be softened toward them, and thy bowels be moved with compassion toward them?”

“My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.”

The Lord will never abandon us. We are in His gentle, powerful hands. He desires to comfort our hearts, strengthen our spirits, and bless us with the help and succor we need. Often, He sends that succor through those around us. He is the Redeemer, the Savior of the world. In Him we can find true healing and peace, even in the prisons and wildernesses that we are called to pass through.

Opposition, trials, and the everyday “non-ideal” circumstances we experience, provide us with the opportunity to use our agency— to turn to the Lord when things don’t go well, or to turn from Him. To let our hearts become “hardened” or “softened because of [our] afflictions.”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught: “In the midst of this refiner’s fire, rather than get angry with God, get close to God. Call upon the Father in the name of the Son. Walk with Them in the Spirit, day by day. Allow Them over time to manifest Their fidelity to you. Come to truly know Them and truly to know yourself.”

Our Savior has said, “As ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.” Why do you think He is interested in you and I knowing that “it is by [Him] that [we] are led?” He doesn’t need the recognition, no. But He does want you to know how much He loves you and cares for you. He’s interested in that deep and abiding relationship with you.

When I paint, there are certain colors that only come with layers of paint and glazes built upon each other. You can’t get certain colors straight out of a tube. They come with layers, or in other words, time and experience. Symbolically, some of the most beautiful parts of our lives only come with layers of life experience, challenges, heartache, growth, and trusting our whole heart and soul to God.

I testify that my challenges and heartaches have helped me to come to know God in a way that I would never otherwise know. To feel of His love personally and deeply, and to love Him with all my heart, might, mind, and strength.

He has been there for me, He has never left me alone. I have watched Him do the impossible in my life and in the lives of those I love, as I’ve put my trust in Him—His healing, sanctifying, and redemptive power is real. He has changed my very nature.

I met a beautiful faithful sister, Jill McAuley, at a conference a few months ago. We had a sweet moment to connect after I shared a message. She wrote me a letter about her life, and I’ve asked if I could share a little bit of it with you. She shared: “I was in a car accident when I was 18, driving home from my first year of college. I suffered a spinal cord injury that left me a quadriplegic. That was 25 years ago, and it has been a journey filled with many lessons. But the greatest lesson has been to truly understand that I am not my disability. My greatest identity is as a child of God. When I was still in the hospital after my injury, I spent many hours in therapy, often in a room lined with mirrors. As I stared at my reflection, I didn’t recognize myself—it was like looking into the eyes of a stranger. Before the accident, if someone had asked me who I was, I would have said horseback rider, singer, someone who served others with her hands. When all of those things were no longer possible, I had to ask myself: Who am I now? The Spirit graciously taught me the things that are eternally true—my identity as a child of God, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. No car accident could ever take those things from me. Those truths became my foundation, but there was still more to learn…I learned that allowing others to serve me is a way that I can serve them. I’ve also learned how to find freedom in a life that is very limited. I work daily to resist Satan’s pull toward bitterness, which my situation might seem to justify. Early on, I wished I could return to the 18-year-old girl who was blissfully unaware of unfairness. But the Spirit showed me that in many ways, the 18-year-old me was even more limited. She had a fragile foundation. She was nearsighted and naïve, unsettled and unsteady. She lacked spiritual depth and was inconsistent in her conviction. So, when my season of wilderness gets hard and I wonder where God is, where Salvation is, the Spirit reminds me to have faith and keep looking up—because He is on His way. I may not see Him yet, but He is sending someone, something, some moment to rescue me. He loves me and will never forget me. I know I will be saved. In fact, I am already saved. The price for my salvation has already been paid.

She concludes:

“I love sharing my testimony of Jesus Christ. My testimony means everything to me. He means everything to me—because my relationship with Him has come at a high cost, and yet the price I’ve paid is worth it.”

Jill’s testimony, deep conviction, and treasured relationship with God are the sacred fruits of a life turned to God. These kinds of colors, are the kind that only come with layers.

The Lord has said: “Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow much tribulation…Remember this, which I tell you…that you may lay it to heart and receive that which is to follow.”

Third—Minister and be ministered to.

Choosing to let the Lord minister through us, and to let others minister to us and our families, helps to keep our hearts soft and close to His Spirit. As we serve and are served, we gain compassion, understanding, purpose, belonging, and peace. We learn to receive revelation and become more like our Savior.

Why do such blessings come as we care for someone else? When we give the Savior’s love and relief, we are blessed to find our own relief in Him. It is a divine pattern that never fails. My prayers for others are often answered quicker than for myself. Which tells me, that is how it’s supposed to work. We are meant to be His loving hands in each other’s lives and, in the process, become as He is. And we willingly covenanted to do so as we took His name upon us to “mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.” Ministering turns us outward to others and upward to God.

Do we realize, when we minister, we minister with God’s priesthood power as we keep our covenants, and His delegated priesthood authority through our assignment? That we have the authority to represent Him and to receive revelation to know how to help those we minister to? We have been entrusted to minister in His name.

Without fail, I’ve seen miracles small and great that come when I minister as He would, and when I am ministered to with love. Charity never faileth.

It is not always easy to let others minister to us. We are usually more comfortable ministering to others. But I can testify that as we strive to more readily welcome and invite the ministering efforts of others, we are actually helping them to keep their covenants, come closer to God, and receive important blessings. As Jill shared earlier, I too have “learned that allowing others to serve me is a way that I can serve them.”

In my calling, with demands of time and travel, I have received an accelerated learning course on how to ask for help, and how to gratefully welcome the ministering efforts of others.

My ministering brothers, a faithful brother and a young man in my ward, have been lifesavers many times. They have been there during times of emergency and sickness. They’ve stepped in to help me with a broken water heater, flooded floors, and pathological sprinklers. They’ve also been keen on knowing how I’m doing and readily offer spiritually in-tune thoughts, simple kindnesses, and constant prayers.

Before heading out on an international assignment to Africa, I invited my ministering brothers to come by my home. As I thought about it again, it seemed like it wasn’t the best timing. I’m sure they were busy, and I felt a bit scattered as I had other assignments to take care of before leaving, and little time to prepare for this almost two-week assignment. I also was processing other concerns, including my dear grandfather who was close to passing away. Nonetheless, I chose to have them come.

The Spirit flooded my heart and home as these good brothers shared their lives, spiritual insights, and also listened thoughtfully to what was happening in my life. I decided to share that my grandfather was going to pass soon, likely while I traveled. They were kind to listen as I let a tear or two fall. I was not concerned about where he was going, but I was still sad. They sat with me in that moment. I shared briefly that he has always believed in me and encouraged me. He said once before he passed, “Just remember, your grandpa thinks you’re great.”

I also asked for a blessing that day from my ministering brothers which brought a great peace to my heart. The scarcity I felt for time, capacity, and comfort melted away. And His peace and abundant Spirit filled my every need. I didn’t realize that was what I really needed, till I did.

On my flight from Europe down to my assignment in Africa, my grandpa quietly passed away. The peace of that ministering visit and blessing remained with me. I had the thought that perhaps grandpa was now able to be with me on this assignment. I was and am grateful for the blessing of having ministering brothers watch over me. I’m grateful for their steady support, kind hearts and friendship. Had I not invited their efforts that day, and shared my needs and what was on my heart, neither of us wouldn’t have received the blessings that we truly needed.

Let us have the faith to share and ask for what we need according to the Spirit. We all need the blessings that come with keeping covenants and learning to love and serve others. We cannot keep our covenants without each other. So let us be patient with each other as we learn to be like Jesus and to be good ministers. Let us help each other to keep our covenants and by doing so, receive the most abundant life and blessings He has in store.

Fourth—Seek to do things in the Lord’s way—for “the battle is the Lord’s.”

In my recent studies, I have been inspired by David, the future king of Israel, and how he “behaved himself wisely” especially in the presence of his enemy, King Saul.

Saul was king of Israel, the anointed of the Lord. He was jealous of David and sought to kill him. In Saul’s pursuits, he was delivered into David’s hands twice, and twice David chose not to take his life.

In one of those instances, Saul came to rest in a cave. Unbeknownst to Saul, David and his men were hiding in that very same cave. They were so close to Saul that David secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. David’s men encouraged him to kill Saul while he had the chance.

“[David] said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.”

Saul arose and left the cave still unaware of David’s presence. David arose after him and went out of the cave and cried after Saul. Saul turned and David “bowed himself” before Saul saying:

“Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the Lord’s anointed.

“Moreover… see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that…I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.

The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.”

David’s words illustrate his deep respect for God’s chosen king, even when that king was his enemy, and killing him might’ve been justified.

David’s actions also show a profound trust in God’s wisdom and ways—that God would be the one to ultimately judge Saul and remove him from the throne. David handled these unseemly interactions with Saul in the Lord’s way and righteously refused to take matters into his own hands. He chose to heed the Lord’s command to “go ye out from among the wicked. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.”

David was being prepared for greater things, to be a righteous leader and king in Israel. You and I are also being prepared for greater things as we choose to do deal with difficult, complex, hurtful or offensive situations in the Lord’s way. President Nelson beautifully taught this truth: “As we strive to live the higher laws of Jesus Christ, our hearts and our very natures begin to change. The Savior lifts us above the pull of this fallen world by blessing us with greater charity, humility, generosity, kindness, self-discipline, peace, and rest.” At an earlier time in David’s life, he stood before the armies of the Philistines and their champion Goliath. David boldly proclaimed to the giant:

“Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee…that all the earth may know there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with the sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s”

And so David ran to meet the giant with the power of God and slew him.

David knew, loved, and trusted the Lord above the arm of the flesh, above the brute force of man, swords, and spears.

David let God prevail in his challenges and battles, and we can choose to do the same. We can choose to do things in the Lord’s way and let Him lead out in our battles. As we seek to do things in His way, with humility and patience, waiting upon the Lord, we will be blessed with the balm and aid that we seek.

So, as we consider reaching for our “spears” in times of battle and offense, may we pause in prayer, turn to the Lord who has never failed us, and choose to entrust the battle to Him. Then as we seek His guidance and follow in His ways, we will be blessed with peace, and the Spirit and power of God to meet our giants in His way.

The Lord says to you and me: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing”

“for the Mighty God shall deliver his covenant people. For thus saith the Lord: I will contend with them that contendeth with thee.”

“Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God.”

I know the Lord loves you and desires your peace. He has overcome all things and has found a way for you to overcome those things which trouble your soul. He will provide you with the healing and guidance you need. May we take courage and choose to let Him and His love prevail in our lives.

Fifth—Worship regularly in the house of the Lord.

Just this last conference, President Nelson taught us: “Brothers and sisters, as the world grows more wicked, we need to grow increasingly pure. Our thoughts, words, and actions need to be unfailingly virtuous and filled with the pure love of Jesus Christ towards all men.

Regular worship in the house of the Lord increases our capacity for both virtue and charity. Thus, time in the temple increases our confidence before the Lord. Increased time in the temple will help us prepare for the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Oh, how I look forward to that day when He will come again. When Christ will reign personally upon this earth. When under His powerful, perfect, and loving reign, oppression and injustice will cease, poverty and suffering will vanish, and the heartbreak and sorrow of death will be done away with.

Of all the things the prophet felt impressed to teach us in preparation for the Lord’s coming, it was to increase our capacity for charity, the pure love of Jesus Christ, and virtue. He taught that regularly worshipping in the house of the Lord increases our capacity for both.

Worshipping in the house of the Lord, and receiving His power as we keep our covenants, will help us to become like our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. As we live the higher laws of Jesus Christ, our very natures become more virtuous and charitable. He gives us the power and strength we need to “let virtue garnish our thoughts unceasingly.”

The prophet taught: “Imagine the boost you will receive to any positive thought when you enhance it with virtue… On the other hand, imagine what will happen when you add virtue to an impure thought, a cruel thought, or a depressing thought. Virtue will drive away those thoughts. Virtue will free you from anxious, troublesome thoughts.”

The prophet has also said, “Our focus must be riveted on the Savior and His gospel. It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in everythought. But when we do, our doubts and fears flee.” Can you see the similarities between looking to the Savior in every thought and letting “virtue garnish our thoughts unceasingly”? I am trying to look to the Savior in every thought. And yes, it is rigorous, but it is worth our every effort, so let’s keep trying! As I have looked to the Savior, He truly has freed me from “anxious” and “troublesome thoughts.” I know that as we do our best to turn to Him, He will give us the power to overcome the world—the temptations, pride, jealousies, and fears that can so easily beset us.

Charity and virtue can help us to avoid unrighteous judgement of one another—to see each other more as the Lord sees us and to help us to look upon each other’s hearts. I always hope someone gives me the benefit of the doubt, even when I’m not at my best. Surely, we can extend to another the same grace and charity we hope for ourselves, and which the Lord so mercifully bestows upon us. Gratefully He is our ultimate Judge.

May we find ourselves regularly worshipping in His holy house and accessing His power to become as He is—to be more charitable, virtuous, and kind.

Our prophet gave us this beautiful promise: “My dear brothers and sisters, here is my promise. Nothing will help you more to hold fast to the iron rod than worshipping in the temple as regularly as your circumstances permit. Nothing will protect you more as you encounter the world’s mists of darkness. Nothing will bolster your testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement or help you understand God’s magnificent plan more. Nothing will soothe your spirit more during times of pain. Nothing will open the heavens more. Nothing!”

That is pretty clear. The prophet of the Lord has spoken with such merciful plainness. We know the way, for the Lord has revealed it through His prophet, President Nelson. I know that President Nelson is a prophet of God. He speaks for the Lord. If we desire to know the mind and will of our Father in Heaven and Savior, we will hear and heed the words of our prophet. President Nelson speaks often of covenants. Why? The Lord is trying to answer our prayers, and He knows they will be answered as we strive to love God and honor our covenants with Him.

Sixth—Let the Lord carry what you cannot.

One of the greatest blessings of our covenants is the opportunity to partner with the Lord and to counsel with Him “in all our doings.” We are never alone in our decisions, our challenges, our fears or insecurities. We can speak to our Father in Heaven in constant prayer and share our hearts. We do not have to carry the load alone; we were never meant to. Jesus Christ came to lift our burdens, to save us from sin and death, and to provide the healing, hope, and guidance we need. His part in our lives is not by mistake, but part of the merciful plan of our Father in Heaven. Let us trust in His love and His power and desire to succor, cleanse, and redeem you. Let Him be your Savior ☺.

The Lord is not limited by mortal constraints; the Lord has time for you. You are not a burden to Him. He loves you and desires to help you.

“Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.”

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Many times, the Lord lifts our burdens through the blessed ministering of those around us.

Years ago, I was walking along a busy beautiful shoreline in Southern California. It was a hot summer day, and the ocean waves were enticing and strong. The beach was crowded. As I walked in the wet sand I ran into a woman, who we’ll call Anna. She was looking at something further out in the ocean. She pointed to a young man swimming, head bobbing. She said he looked like he was struggling. Anna said she was trained in ocean swimming and knew it wasn’t a good day to swim. I briefly looked out at the water at the young man. But before I knew it, she began yelling “Help!” “Help!” and waving her hands towards the lifeguard station.

Everyone around us turned their heads in our direction. I wasn’t sure what was happening but decided if someone was potentially in need of help, I would yell and wave too! So I did. The lifeguard came running, and without hesitation dove into the water in front of us with a flotation device attached to him. Anna said she almost drowned once herself, and recognized the “cry” of the young man as one of help.

We watched as that lifeguard was able to reach the swimmer and tow him safely to shore. As they came out of the water, the young man didn’t have enough energy to walk and collapsed on the sand. As they picked him up, his eyes were dazed and body limp. He really had been struggling for his life and had no strength in him. He would’ve likely drowned had Anna not noticed him and the lifeguard rescued him.

I got teary as I pondered on what just took place.

First, that Anna raised her voice without hesitation. She didn’t worry about what others thought as she started yelling and waving for help. She had experience, she knew what she saw, and acted upon it on behalf of that young man.

Second, seeing that lifeguard be brave and true, and moving without hesitation to save someone else gave my heart pause. Perhaps it’s because we just witnessed someone willingly risk their life for another. Didn’t matter who the struggling swimmer was, they needed help. And the lifeguard was prepared to save.

I was reminded of the greatest Rescuer of all mankind, the One prepared to save us all, our Savior, Jesus Christ, who suffered for our sins, who felt every pain and heartache and chose to give His life to save you and me. The Savior’s atoning sacrifice provided a way for each of us to be rescued from our sins, our guilt, and our weaknesses and to offer healing, forgiveness, succor, and wholeness that can only come through Him. He overcame death itself. His Resurrection provided the way for each of us to be resurrected and have our bodies unite again with our spirits after we die. We could not progress without His Redeeming and Resurrecting power. Jesus Christ is the greatest Rescuer.

To a grieving Martha and to each of us, he clarifies and declares His divine role as the Redeemer of all mankind: “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”

I’m sure that young man struggling to keep afloat in the waves was so frightened and exhausted, pleading that someone would hear him and come to his aid. I can only imagine the hope he must’ve felt to see that lifeguard rushing in his direction and what relief he experienced as he was brought ashore. Perhaps we have felt or feel like this young man at times, struggling to keep afloat, frightened and exhausted.

What distress do you need to be rescued from? What bondage are you in? What divine healing, aid, comfort, perspective, faith, and peace do you need?

I know we can find the help and relief we need in Jesus Christ. As our Relief Society General President, Camille N. Johnson has declared, “Jesus Christ is relief.”

In Isaiah, God promises to rescue His people from the oppressive rule of the Assyrians. This is also symbolic of how the Savior can rescue you and me from the oppressions of the adversary, from weaknesses and sin as we turn to Him in humility, repent, and follow Him.

“And it shall come to pass in that day that [this] burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and [this] yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing⁠.”

“The anointing” is Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

We may feel the weight of sin, weakness, and infirmities, like a burden or yoke on our necks. That yoke may be fear, worry, or depression. It may be something you’ve been dealing with for so long, that you think it may never go away. But Jesus Christ gives us healing, help, and hope.

God is more powerful than any bondage you might be under. There is real and everlasting hope in Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

Elder Cook taught that “Without the Atonement, we cannot save ourselves from sin and death.” “The Atonement of Jesus Christ provides the ultimate rescue from the trials we face in this life.”

Seventh and lastly— Trust in the Lord that you may “not run faster than [you] have strength.”

When I paint, it’s hard for me to walk away from what I’m doing, because I always see something that needs to be fixed or changed, some hue, value, shape or texture that needs to be adjusted or refined. I realized early on that I needed to literally turn my painting to face the wall before I could go to sleep at night. ☺

Sisters and brothers, the Lord can help us to find rest and to know when to “turn it to the wall.” We have many, many good things that can take our time, but what is needful? The Spirit of the Lord can help us to know what is enough, what is most important, and what can fall to the wayside. Let us be flexible with our “to-do” lists and open to what the Lord may bring our way each day. Unexpected opportunities to minister, to be kind, to change our plans and help another is often how He answers prayers and blesses you with what you really need. The Apostle Paul taught: “Let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

The prophet Spencer W. Kimball, “promised us that the Lord ‘will help us from day to day on the allocation of our time and talent. We will move faster if we hurry less. We will make more real progress if we focus on the fundamentals.’”

Focusing on the fundamentals includes spending time with the Lord in personal and family prayer, studying His word, ministering as He would, worshipping in His holy house, repenting often and sincerely, and engaging in blessed family history work. These sacred efforts fill our souls and bring about the power of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice into our lives and into the lives of our families on both sides of the veil.

When we trust our time and energies to Him, and let Him prevail in this way, He will bring great peace, perspective, power, guidance and joy into our lives. We will move faster in the ways that matter most.

President Nelson spoke to the sisters in the worldwide Relief Society devotional last year; brothers this applies to your lives as well. He said: “Sisters, no one can do everything, nor should you try. However, I know how crucial your part is in building up the kingdom of God.

“So, today, I invite you to make the scriptures your personal Liahona, the temple your place of refuge and recalibration, and your personal prayers the way you learn where the Lord needs you to be that day. Over time, you will be astonished by how He will guide you to be exactly where you can lead, guide, and walk beside someone who needs you⁠.

He continues…

“To that end, I bless you with increased spiritual discernment and the ability to find joy in offering relief to others. I bless you with the wisdom to discern what is needful and not to run faster than you are able. I bless you with the courage to live up to your divine privileges as a covenant daughter of God. I bless you to feel deeply that Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, know you and love you. They sent you to earth now because you are vital to the kingdom of God now⁠! I bless you to realize that your divine gifts as a daughter of God give you the power not only to change lives but to change the world!”

Dear sisters and brothers, may we receive and heed the sweet and powerful words of our prophet as the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for the Lord is speaking through him.

We have been shown the way through our Savior. May we consider those things taught to us today by His Spirit as we strive to be pure vessels in His hands in preparation for His Second Coming.

And let us find occasion to praise the Lord often for His goodness and mercy. I echo the praises of Ammon, a faithful disciple of Christ:

“​Therefore, let us ​​​glory​, yea, we will ​​​glory​ in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his ​​​mercy​, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men?”

“Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all ​​​power​, ​​​all​ wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a ​​​merciful​ Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.”

I love you. And I know our Father in Heaven and Savior love you. They are aware of your needs. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know it. He is the Savior of the world, the Redeemer of mankind. He came to this earth to show us how to truly love. He suffered and died for our sins and rose on that glorious third day, making a way for each of us to be resurrected and able to return the presence of the Father. I know He came, and I know He will come again. Of these glorious and merciful truths I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.