This week’s BYU-Idaho devotional speaker centered his talk around the importance of finding joy and blessings in everyday life, even when enduring trials. Nate Wise, the director of intellectual property at BYU-Idaho, called his talk, “A Blessed and Happy State.”
“I just thought this is something that resonates, I think, with mental health challenges and things that we all go through,” Wise said in an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio. “It’s key to recognize that … despite the challenges that we face, that we can overcome them if we put our trust and our faith in the right direction.”
In his devotional address, he shared some of his personal experiences about his family’s time in Montana and how their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ helped them overcome many challenges and strengthened their bonds. Wise recounted a moment when his family knelt in prayer, seeking divine assistance in freeing their truck from the mud. This experience, though seemingly small, left a lasting impact on Wise and his family, deepening their faith in the power of prayer and unity.
“This experience in the mountains of my youth is one such example of a ray of light that has combined with others to build my testimony,” Wise said in his devotional address.
Wise reflected on the ever-evolving nature of his understanding of the Savior’s role in bearing the burdens of all people. He emphasized the importance of trusting in the Lord’s timing and told students how to recognize His hand in their lives, even when answers to prayers don’t come immediately or in a way that is expected.
“It’s being humble and working our way through that, relying on prayer and the Lord’s timetable … sometimes the challenges we face seem insurmountable … but [looking back] over the years … it is true, He is there,” he said in the interview.
Wise concluded his talk by reiterating the importance of standing as a witness of Christ, even in the face of adversity. He expressed hope that his message would resonate with students and faculty members at BYU-Idaho, inspiring them to create a blessed and happy state in their own lives through their faith and trust in the Lord.