Today was Fast Sunday. For those of you who don’t know what
that means, we fast once a month to strengthen the spirit and use the money
from the two meals not eaten to pay into funds to help those in need. Fasting
always draws me closer to my Father-in-Heaven and elevates my thoughts and
feelings. We baptized a beautiful young woman last night. She looked so happy
yesterday and today. The Spirit has deeply touched her. She is engaged to a
returned missionary in our ward and they plan to wait until they can be sealed
and married in the temple.
As I reflect on the smile and happy countenance of that
young woman and her prospective husband, I feel hope. They have chosen a path
which if they follow will lead them to happiness. Why do I feel that way?
Because my wife and I found it when we were not much older than them. Life is
not meant to be easy. That young couple will face many severe trials. The trials
are part of the reason that we are here. I have seen those trials grind
relationships both in and out of the Church into nothing. But if the couple are
both equally committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that will see them
through. I know that from personal experience. Our relationship has grown and blossomed
over the years. We are more in love now than we have ever been.
The principle of commitment to our Savior and his Gospel is
just as true in our personal lives as it is in marriage. There is a wonderful
power in it. Forgive me for using personal experience again as an example. I do
not hold myself out as some kind of perfect being. For me, the Gospel speaks
peace into my soul. Though I worry sometimes about the turbulence around me, I
know that in the end everything will be all right. The Gospel of Jesus Christ
gives meaning to it all. It will end with good overcoming evil and all things
being made right. Our faith will be justified. Our hope will grow eternal.
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