Hundreds of women filled the de Jong Concert Hall on Friday as Leslie Swartwood and Emily Wayment spoke about enduring trials though the help of Jesus Christ.
The talk opened with Jeffrey R. Holland’s video “Good Things to Come” in which he recalls himself as a young father and how embracing the Gospel of Jesus Christ helped him in difficult times. His quote, “Believe in good things to come. … Don’t give up, don’t you quit,” carried an emotional theme throughout the hour.
Swartwood, suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and overcoming her own set of hardships said, “Trials and challenges in life are not meant to defeat us, rather they are placed in our path to refine us.”
Concerning the Atonement, Swartwood emphasized the importance of sharing burdens with the Savior, which will make the Atonement viable for all those who seek His help. To illustrate that point, she made the comparison of how in biblical times the yoke would allow the strength of a second animal to be linked to a single animal and lighten the load, just as the Savior will be the yoke.
“We will experience times of unhappiness and discouragement in our lives, but we cannot let these lead to despair or loss of hope,” Swartwood said.
Wayment followed Swartwood after an intermediate song ‘Abide with me,’ which was sung by Shelby Swartwood and Taylor Young. Wayment also discussed how the gospel and Jesus Christ’s Atonement is the only way to endure the trials of life.
At a young age, Wayment experienced a tragedy when her mother and young sister were in a fatal car accident. “If we make the Lord a part of our problems,” she said. “He will become a solution to those problems.”
Wayment recalled when her father would tell her, “You knew, just as the Savior knew, that the only way out of this is to go through it. There is no other way but to be patient, and let His Atonement comfort you.” She went on to talk about the important and sacred role Christ plays in helping overcome the hardships in life.
She shared her philosophy that the only way a person can grow is through change and developing talents, which can help fulfill the Lord’s mission. During the difficult times in her life, she continually challenged herself and found healing in the creative process.
“Being creative will help you enjoy life, it engenders a spirit of gratitude, develops latent talent, sharpens your capacity to reason, to act and to find purpose in life,” Wayment said. “It dispels loneliness and heartache, it gives a renewal, a spark of enthusiasm and a zest for life.”
Last of all Wayment spoke about how friendship can help and uplift those who are in need of comfort. She talked about how earlier that morning she had run into her late mother’s best friend and what consolation that gave her. Wayment ended by encouraging all the women to cultivate and grow special friendships.
