Archive of messages sent while serving as a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Last week in our combined meeting we talked about two very
important truths: 1) God knows you, and 2) God loves you. While these
principles seem small and simple, they are of infinite and eternal importance.
When we each, individually, can truly believe, feel, and trust in these
principles, we can be carried through any trial or difficulty.
We spoke about the Jaredites, who before embarking on their
trip across the great waters were promised great blessings in the Promised
Land. They had that promise and faith in the Lord. Then they built their
barges. Not luxury ships, but some kind dish that would be carried across the
ocean by the current. While they didn’t have many luxuries and they didn’t
expect them, the Lord did provide for their needs with the instructions to put
an entrance at the top and the bottom of the boat and He also provided them
with their wants, light through miraculous stones.
With those few things, a boat with two holes and lighted
stones to remind them of God’s miracles, the Jaredites left everything else up
to the Lord. Their ships “were many times buried in the depths of the sea,
because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and
terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.” Or in
short, their journey was difficult and uncomfortable. However, “the wind did
never cease to blow towards the promised land[.]”
I invite each of you to look for the lighted stones as the
Lord pushes you toward the promised land through trials. Continue to see the small
miracles and signs of God’s love for you each day. Recognize that God truly
knows you, yes YOU, and give thanks for those small things that lighten the load
as we pass through our trials of life.
I testify that God knows you and loves you. His Son, Jesus
Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.
