God Will Do Something Unimaginable

I feel as it is the sequence of the General Conference talks which of the October 2020 Study Schedule which I download from Work and Wonder community in their study, has somehow related to me and by study the designated talks strengthen me for that particular days or weeks.

After the ‘Watch Ye Therefore, and Pray Always’ and ‘Peace, Be Still’, now I feel as it was planned that it is time to reinforce my faith by reading this talk.

God Will Do Something Unimaginable

by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Elder Uchtdorf talked about the early Latter-day Saints had to hide newly built Salk Lake Temple’s foundation from the approaching United States soldiers. The saints must be thinking why their efforts to build God’s kingdom was so frustrated.

Eventually the danger passed, and the temple foundation were excavated and inspected. It was then that the pioneer builders discovered that some of the original sandstones had cracked, making them unsuitable as a foundation.

It was hard work have to change and repair the original sandstones, but it is a blessing to build the Salt Lake Temple to last for generations.

There is something that I can learn here. There are days I feel buried alive, just like past few weeks. I can feel the pressure weighting down on me from all sides. It can form the cracks under those types of pressure.

It is easy to be a good person when I am well rested and calm, but when I am physically and emotionally tired and worn out, the cracks start to show. It is just like my foundation of faith.

I like what Elder Uchtdorf said,

“In a way, we are seeds. And for seeds to reach their potential, they must be buried before they can sprout. It is my witness that though at times we may feel buried by the trials of life or surrounded by emotional darkness, the love of God and the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will bring something unimaginable to spring forth.”

The trial I faced doesn’t have to drive us apart, I can use it to find the weaknesses in the foundations of myself, my family, or even further like our communities or our congregations.

What if this trial is helping me to identify and get rid of what does not work for me and my family so that we can build that foundation that last an eternity?

Now when I start to struggle, I asked myself, “What weaknesses are there in my foundation that this trial has shown me?”

Then I can look for stronger materials to replace my foundation with. With my family, I look for the cracks and search for better ways to do things or ways to heal relationships. At Church, I look at the many changes and the new things we were learning.

I realized that it was like Elder Uchtdorf said, “This is the Lord’s work.He invites us to find His ways of doing it, and they may differ from our past experiences.”

Instead of feeling so weighted down, I feel a level of relief and excitement as I remake my foundation. It is just as when I can hear the Spirit whispered to my ears and mind ‘Peace, Be Still’

It is the perfect example of the Lord’s promise of making weak things become strong. Just as in the Book of Mormon, Ether 12:27

“And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weaknesses. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and mu 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”

Blessings Come from Hardship

“What do we learn from these examples—and the hundreds of others in the scriptures?

First, the righteous are not given a free pass that allows them to avoid the valleys of shadow. We all must walk through difficult times, for it is in these times of adversity that we learn principles that fortify our characters and cause us to draw closer to God.

Second, our Heavenly Father knows that we suffer, and because we are His children, He will not abandon us.⁸”

Just as the Jaredite boats were blown towards the Promised Land by the storm,our trials are not without purpose or direction. it is like Elder Uchtdorf said,

“… God will watch over and shepherd you during these times of uncertainty and fear. He knows you. He hears your pleas. He is faithful and dependable. He will fulfil His promises.”

“God has something unimaginable in mind for you personally and the Church collectively—a marvellous work and a wonder.”

Elder Uchtdorf continued,

“Now, this does not mean we won’t experience turbulence in our flight through mortality. It doesn’t mean there won’t be unexpected instrument failures, mechanical malfunctions, or serious weather challenges. In fact, things might get worse before they get better.

As a fighter pilot and airline captain, I learned that while I could not choose the adversity I would encounter during a flight, I could choose how I prepared and how I reacted. What is needed during times of crisis is calm and clear-headed trust.

How do we do this?

We face the facts and return to the fundamentals, to the basic gospel principles, to what matters most. You strengthen your private religious behaviour—like prayer and scripture study and keeping God’s commandments. You make the decisions based on best proven practices.

Focus on the things you can do and not on the things you cannot do.

You muster your faith. And you listen for the guiding word of the Lord and His prophet to lead you to safety.”

It has reminded me that when I face the cracks in my foundation, it is still goes back to the basic and building or repair my foundation again. It might be overwhelming sometimes, but do not feel weary, and focus one thing at a time with a willing and humble heart.

Suddenly I feel as there were so many General Conference good talks this October that speak directly to our times in overall, and speak to me personally.

I am grateful as it has brought so much peace and knowledge to me!

“God has revealed and will continue to reveal His almighty hand. The day will come when we will look back and know that during this time of adversity, God was helping us to find better ways—His ways—to build His kingdom on a firm foundation.”