Nov 24, 2024

Our Hope by Dan Wilson

As part of mortality, we all find ourselves carrying the heavy load of comparison. In our own limited perspective, we sometimes have the tendency to compare our faults to others’ strengths. In this week’s Come, Follow Me lesson, we learn that even the great prophet and military leader Moroni fell into the trap of comparison. He spoke with the Lord, saying, “And thou hast made us that we could write but little, because of the awkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like unto the brother of Jared, for thou madest him that the things which he wrote were mighty even as thou art” (Ether 12:24).

When recognizing his own weakness and inadequacy, Moroni adopted a faith-filled perspective that can inspire us all in our own weakness: he simply turned to the Lord. The Savior offered encouragement when He said, “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto them weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” (Ether 12:27).

I’ve witnessed this principle of the Lord making our weaknesses become strong all my life as I look to the example of those around me in my family and in my wards. The Lord often asks hard things of us, knowing our weaknesses and our strengths. He asks someone who may be shy to speak up at church; someone who prefers the background to step up and lead; someone who doesn’t feel knowledgeable enough to be a teacher. He’s asked me to do hard things that I never would have been able to do on my own, such as serving a mission. I’ve found time and time again that through sacrifice, and through trusting God and His plan for us, we are made into something so much greater than we could make of ourselves. The Savior is there to help us reach our full potential in His strength as we put our trust in Him.

In 1888, the prophet Wilford Woodruff testified of this principle in a letter: “We all have our weaknesses; God has permitted them that we might be taught humility in ourselves and charity toward others.” 

As imperfect as we all are, I know that “there is more grace, love, and mercy in Jesus Christ than there is failure, flaw, or sin in us.” He knows exactly how we feel when we may not feel like enough. He knows the weaknesses we have individually. And He chooses to see the best in us, knowing that when we look to Him, His atoning power makes change possible. Let us choose to look to Him and have the faith to believe in His power! 

Aubrey Barzee is a Public Relations Intern for the Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation. She is from Kansas City, Missouri, and currently studies at Brigham Young University. Aubrey is majoring in Exercise and Wellness and studying in the Seminary and Institute teaching program. She had the opportunity as a missionary to come to know Jesus Christ better and serve the people in the Oregon Portland Mission. She has loved being a part of this Project, where she can share her love of the Savior and His restored gospel. She loves learning about the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is inspired by the journals and life of the prophet Wilford Woodruff.

The Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation’s mission is to digitally preserve and publish Wilford Woodruff’s eyewitness account of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and make his records universally accessible in order to inspire all people, especially the rising generation, to study and to increase their faith in Jesus Christ. For more information, please explore wilfordwoodruffpapers.org.