God Knows You

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.