Sister Jean A. Stevens, First Counselor of the Primary General Presidency, shared many stories of how the Lord has blessed people who have needed help.
“As we develop greater faith and trust in the Lord, we can access His power to bless and deliver us,” Sister Stevens said.
The first story she shared was a personal story about how she helped Deric, a teenage boy she saw walking alongside a dark road. Sister Stevens felt impressed to stop and help the boy. Moments before she pulled up, Deric had prayed to Heavenly Father for help. Many years later, the boy acknowledged that the Lord was aware of him at that moment, but answers to prayers are not always so immediate and clear.
“As Deric expressed, not every prayer is answered so quickly,” Stevens said. “But truly our Father knows us and hears the pleading of our hearts.”
She continues to talk about how the Lord knows what is best for every person.
“We can trust that He will help us, not necessarily in the way we want but in the way that will best help us grow.” Stevens said.
Stevens then shared a story about a father who had terminal cancer. He gathered his family together so they he could be with them all one last time. He did what he felt mattered most. He had a family picture taken, had family dinner and went to a temple session with his family. He stayed true to the gospel until the end and is an example of trusting in God.
“The gospel of Jesus Christ is not a checklist of thing to do; rather, it can live in our hearts,” Stevens said.
Stevens closed her talk by assuring members that they can face challenges like the people in her stories.
“We can face our challenges with prayer and trust in the Lord,” Stevens said. “And in the process we become more like him.”
