Read address by Elder Nielsen

Once again, this community has buoyed me up at the very time I needed it. Your responses to Friday's email brought tears to my eyes again and again with the reminder that none of you expect perfection or elaborate eloquence here. In fact, you so tenderly reassured me that the lack of is what keeps you coming back. It's where the spirit works—somewhere between my willingness and yours to KEEP SHOWING UP.

Like Elder Neilson said in this week's talk, “Maybe we don't always feel up to the challenge. But our Heavenly Father sees us as fearless builders of His kingdom. That is why He sent us here during this most decisive time in the world's history. This is our time!”

I know, pressure's on. I feel it too. But we have to remind ourselves (again and again) that the pressure is not to show up with the perfect thing to say or the right this to do every time, it is simply to show up ready and willing. That is all He asks because that is all He needs. The rest is HIS work to perform. The work of qualifying the inadequate, strengthening the weak, and sanctifying the imperfect.

But the moment our focus shifts from faith to fear, we begin to sink. A prime example? Me the past couple weeks. I could not shift my focus from what I was not. It was all I saw—what I didn't have, what I couldn't do—and so I was drowning. I was ready to pass the mic to someone who did have it, who could do it, because I was so convinced I would never be enough and I was exhausted by the chase.

And in that moment the adversary nearly had me. But then I looked up and saw His hand, stretched out still, reaching for mine. And in order to take it, I had to shift my focus. I had to see myself as He did. An imperfect daughter of God that already had everything she ever needed to perform the work He called her too, she just had to believe it herself! 

Elder Neilson talks about this too—"When we view ourselves with sincere respect, our hearts are open to treat others that way too. The more we recognize our divine worth, the better we understand this divine truth: that God has sent us right here, right now, at this momentous time in history, so that we can do the greatest possible good with the talents and gifts we have. This is our time!"

We can do this. I know we can. The best thing the adversary can do is to convince us to pass this mic. To believe that someone else is more equipped to fill your role. My friends, that will NEVER be the case. You were prepared for a time such as this, with everything you'd ever need already within. Be patient with yourself, all He asks is for you to be ready.

Quotes

"Maybe we don't always feel up to the challenge. But our Heavenly Father sees us as fearless builders of His kingdom. That is why He sent us here during this most decisive time in the world's history.”

"When we view ourselves with sincere respect, our hearts are open to treat others that way too. The more we recognize our divine worth, the better we understand this divine truth: that God has sent us right here, right now, at this momentous time in history, so that we can do the greatest possible good with the talents and gifts we have."

Affirmation

I am prepared for a time such as this, with everything I need to fulfill my divine roles. I choose to show up ready and willing, knowing He will sanctify my efforts and imperfections.