Latter Day Saint Keep on Trying

"Jesus has overcome the abuses of this world to give you power to not only survive but one day, through Him, to overcome and even conquer."

Elder Kearon has been a general authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints since 2010 and a member of the Presidency of the Seventy since 2017. On August 1, 2020, Elder Kearon became the Senior President of the Seventy. 

"However halting our steps are toward him—though they shouldn’t be halting at all—his steps are never halting toward us. May we have enough faith to accept the goodness of God and the mercy of his Only Begotten Son."

Jeffrey R. Holland is an American educator and religious leader. He served as the ninth President of Brigham Young University and is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"God “rewards those who earnestly seek him,” so we need to keep knocking ... don’t give up. Seek God with all your heart."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At the time of this talk, ELder Uchtdorf was serving as Second Counsellor to President Monson in the church's First Presidency.

"All of us, at some time or another, will feel like we are sinking - whether emotionally, spiritually or physically. We like Peter will cry out "Lord, save me!" As painful as those times may be, they may be among the most significant learning periods of our lives and the most powerful evidences of the Lord's grace and tender mercies."

Brent L. Top is a professor of Church history and doctrine at BYU. Brent L. Top has worked for the Church Educational System as a seminary teacher, institute teacher, administrator, as associate dean of Religious Education and held for two years the endowed professorship in moral education. In 2009, he was appointed department chair of Religious Education, the college where he currently serves as dean. He is the author of several LDS books and has published numerous articles in academic journals.

"The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to “re-turn” toward God."

Elder Neil L. Andersen was serving as the senior president in the Presidency of the Seventy when he was called in 2009 to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. With that increased authority and daunting responsibility came the reminder that although he didn’t know everything, he knew enough. His firm testimony of the Saviour Jesus Christ and His gospel provides all he needs to know to bless and uplift members worldwide.

"Feeling the influence of the Holy Ghost works both ways: the Holy Ghost only dwells in a clean temple, and the reception of the Holy Ghost cleanses us through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. You can pray with faith to know what to do to be cleansed and thus qualified for the companionship of the Holy Ghost and the service of the Lord."

President Henry B. Eyring was sustained and set apart as second counsellor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2018. Prior to this, he served as a counsellor to President Thomas S. Monson from 2008 to 2018 and to President Gordon B. Hinckley from 2007 to 2008. He was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1995 and served as a General Authority since April 1985.

President Eyring previously served as a first counsellor in the Presiding Bishopric, Church commissioner of education, and was president of Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. Elder Eyring is known for sharing his experiences to teach and bless others all over the world. His words are eagerly anticipated for their spiritually powerful insight and for the sweet emotion with which he shares them.

"Do you have faith that your Heavenly Father knows you so well that He knows under what circumstances you will emerge as a stronger, albeit wounded, healer so that you will become a valuable instrument in His hands, able to do His work and comfort His children?"

Beth Luthy is an assistant professor in the BYU College of Nursing and a family nurse practitioner in Utah County. Beth Luthy is a member of NAPNAP (National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners) and the Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines of the Health Resources and Services Administration. She is involved in the Utah County Immunization Coalition as an active proponent of increasing immunization rates and overall health in the community. She has received several local and national grants to fund her research involving infant, child, and adolescent immunizations. In 2009, she was awarded the Utah Nurse Practitioner of the Year Award from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. One of Luthy’s favorite activities is volunteering to teach girls’ maturation in elementary schools. Her husband is a veteran police officer, and together they have two sons. 

"We must be grounded on the rock of revelation, and although we may not know the answer to every question, we must know the answers to the primary questions. And if we do, the gates of hell shall not prevail against us and we will stand forever."

Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2008 until 2019 when he was released and given emeritus status.

"As we exercise our faith in the Savior, He will lift us up and carry us through all of our trials and, ultimately, save us in the celestial kingdom."

Evan A. Schmutz was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2016 and currently serves as first counsellor in the Utah Area Presidency with concurrent assignments in the Church Communication and Correlation Departments.

This talk was given by S. Michael Wilcox at the 2005 BYU Campus Education Week. With powerful insights into why heaven can sometimes feel silent, S. Michael Wilcox explains how we can always feel and be sure of God's love, even in those times when we might not be able to feel Him close. 

S. Michael Wilcox is an author and speaker on aspects of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as found in the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is a retired instructor with the Church Educational System, having taught classes at the institute of religion adjacent to the University of Utah.