Dear brothers and sisters, it is my privilege to be able to speak to you today.
I must say, I am much more comfortable to be behind the camera than in front of the camera. But the last several months I have had premonitions that I might have this opportunity.
It has been a real blessing for me to be able to prepare this talk. I have felt the Spirit many times throughout my preparation and hope the Spirit will be with you to touch you, that you may understand what God would have you learn.
I have been at Ricks College/BYU–Idaho for over 33 years now. In this time, I have seen and documented many changes because of my position as University Photographer.
While a student in the photography program at BYU in Provo, I concentrated my efforts towards architecture photography. One aspect of my research was to follow the construction of a building.
To me it was fascinating to watch as the foundation was poured, the walls were framed in, the roof was put on, and so on.
Little did I know at that time I would be working here at BYU-Idaho and have the opportunity of documenting the construction of several major buildings here on campus, among them this magnificent BYU–Idaho Center, but the Lord knew.
He sees the beginning from the end and helped me get the experience needed to qualify me to be able to work here.
Like the Rexburg Temple being built upon a solid rock instead of sandy ground, we need a sure foundation upon which we can anchor our testimony to be an instrument in His hands to help build His Kingdom. That foundation needs to be built upon the rock of our Redeemer, even Jesus Christ. As we come to know Him, we come to know our Heavenly Father and better recognize His eternal love for each of us.
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Do you know how great a worth you are in the eyes of God? Do you know how much He loves you? Do you know He knows you? He does know you; He knows you by your name.
He is there to help you along this path of life. He knows you and wants to help you succeed.
I am grateful for the insight learned from those who contributed to the discussion board. Some wonderful comments taught how prayer, reading scriptures, listening to conference talks, Church hymns, and even writing in a journal can help us feel of God’s love and give us strength through times of trial.
We are children of a loving Heavenly Father who knows us and loves us. He is there for us, waiting for us to ask, that we might receive; He wants us to seek, so that we can find, and to knock, that it may opened. [1]
In Malachi we are told He will “open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” [2]
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Recently I dealt with sciatic pain in my back and down my right leg for nearly a year. It was a miserable time, but a time of self-reflection, a time of learning, a time of waiting on the Lord to teach me what I should know and do.
Since I was 16, I have had back problems off and on throughout my life, which started while working at a TV store lifting big old stereo console TVs. When you’re young you think you can do it all, and you almost can, but life catches up to you. In the past when my back would flare up, I would find relief through muscle relaxants, physical therapy, chiropractors, or through a cortisone shot. I was always glad to be able to get through it without needing surgery. I hoped I never would need surgery.
This time, almost nothing seemed to be working, but I fought the idea of surgery.
Because of the pain I was going through, my prayers were more intense, pleading for relief, for strength and patience to help me through this dark time. The Lord knows us and knows what we need. He put multiple people in my path who had been through similar problems like mine, who did have surgery and were walking examples to me of the blessing of having surgery.
I don’t want to say I’m an advocate for surgery; instead, I’m an advocate of listening to the Spirit and learning what the Lord would have you do. He does know you!
I give credit to my dear wife, for her patience and endurance with me. She knew all along what I needed but also knew I had to figure it out for myself. Sometimes we men are just a little too hard-headed and proud.
My good wife counseled me to fast and pray about whether I should have the surgery. Even after I had my answer, I still waivered because I was scared, not knowing what long-term affects it would have on me. Again, with encouragement from my wife, I received a priesthood blessing from a good friend and co-worker. Through that blessing the way became clear: if I wanted relief, I needed to have the surgery.
It’s been eight months since surgery, and last month I was able to climb Table Mountain with two of my kids and a son-in-law. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.
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So why are we so slow to seek God’s advice?
Or why don’t we listen when we do ask?
We need to put aside our pride, and we need to exercise faith as was taught by Elder Boyd K. Packer. Shortly after he was called as a General Authority, he had gone to then-Elder Harold B. Lee for counsel, and this is what he learned:
I returned to Elder Lee and told him that I saw no way to move in the direction I was counseled to go. He said, “The trouble with you is you want to see the end from the beginning.” I replied that I would like to see at least a step or two ahead. Then came the lesson of a lifetime: “You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you.” Then he quoted these 18 words from the Book of Mormon: “Dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.” [3]
Sometimes we have to go through a refiner’s fire to help us become what God will have us become.
The beautiful old Jacob Spori Building, when it was nearly 100 years old, sadly had to go through its own refiner’s fire. The building was needing some major upgrades, but due to structural concerns it was determined it would be best to level it. During the demolition process, the building caught fire and burned to the ground. The Spori Building we see today still has some of the character and charm of the old building but is a much more functional, updated version of itself.
We all have different trials, but we have to put our faith in the Lord who knows us and who is there for us. When I finally listened to God’s will and exercised faith, I was able to step into the darkness. I was able to put my trust in the hand of the surgeon and found the long-sought-after relief—relief that has given me new light and hope.
Last week as Elder Gerrit W. Gong expounded on the importance of learning, he shared how we can learn from all of life’s experiences. In doing so, he asked these questions:
Can everything we learn become part of our personal storehouse of spiritual experience? Inspired by the Holy Ghost, which can bring all things to our remembrance, can we and the Lord draw upon our personal spiritual experiences to serve those around us in uniquely personalized ways? [4]
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When we exercise faith in the Lord, the challenges we endure in this life will be spiritual experiences that can give us hope and strength, which in turn can help us in our service to others.
It is through our service to our fellow men that we serve our God. [5] As we serve others, we better come to know Him.
Have you ever been up in the mountains or out in the desert away from the city lights on a beautiful clear night? You look heavenward and are filled with awe and wonder at the innumerable stars in the heavens. For me, it is a testimony builder of God’s goodness, and His greatness!
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The great King Benjamin taught:
And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness. [6]
Though we are children of a loving Heavenly Father, we are nothing.
Moses, who saw the wonders of the universe and spoke with God face to face, when left to his natural strength, learned for himself, “Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed.” [7]
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught, Though we be less than we suppose, the reality is we are greater than we suppose.
But even though man is nothing, it fills me with wonder and awe to think that “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”
And while we may look at the vast expanse of the universe and say, “What is man in comparison to the glory of creation?” God Himself said we are the reason He created the universe! His work and glory—the purpose for this magnificent universe—is to save and exalt mankind. In other words, the vast expanse of eternity, the glories and mysteries of infinite space and time are all built for the benefit of ordinary mortals like you and me. Our Heavenly Father created the universe that we might reach our potential as His sons and daughters.
This is a paradox of man: compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God. . . .
. . . Brothers and sisters, the most powerful Being in the universe is the Father of your spirit. He knows you. He loves you with a perfect love.
God sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who lives for a brief season—He sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to Him. [8]
We are so blessed to live in such a wonderful corner of this great universe which God has created for us.
There is so much beauty all around us—with beautiful mountains, flowing rivers, quiet groves of quaking aspens, along with rainbows that remind us of God’s love for us. This is why I enjoy photography. I love to be up in the mountains and feel like Moses of old, on top of the mountain communing with God.
One such experience I had was in the Wasatch Mountains by Provo, Utah. While I was a new freshman at BYU, my apartment was down the hill from the temple, so I would quite often take a jog or walk up around the temple. One time I kept going beyond the temple, up Rock Canyon. I had my scriptures with me, so when I had gone far enough to where I felt all alone, in my own little Sacred Grove, I sat down and started to read. I remember reading in the book of Abraham the chapters about the creation of this wonderful world we live in. As I read those verses, while experiencing the beauty around me, I truly felt of God’s love. I said a little prayer giving thanks. I don’t remember what I said, but I do remember feeling the Spirit warm my soul. This was before my mission, and it was one of those moments that helped strengthen my resolve to go on a mission, for I felt God did know me and love me.
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One week after my graduation in April 1987, my wife and I and our two little girls came up here to Rexburg to be at my sister’s wedding. She was getting married in the Idaho Falls Temple. Her new in-laws both worked at Ricks College and knew the photographer at the time was looking for an intern. I had my portfolio in hand and résumé printed up, so I was excited to have my first interview. While at the interview, my wife, who was 6 months pregnant at the time, went into premature labor. As soon as I heard this scary news, I rushed up to the hospital, where my wife soon delivered our first-born son, weighing only 1 lb. 8 oz. He was so tiny. His lungs were way too underdeveloped. He only lived a half hour.
The doctor was surprised he was born alive, so he gave us a private room to give us some bonding time.
The Lord knew we needed to be here in Rexburg at this time. He knew, because of the wedding, we would have family here to give us that extra love and support we needed during this time of great trial. Along with that tender mercy we were also blessed by many members who reached out and showed their love. A wedding, a job interview, a birth, and a funeral all in one weekend—a weekend we will never forget. God did not leave us alone during such a challenging time. Instead He poured out many tender mercies through so many others. The blessings of heaven were truly poured out upon us. It is wonderful to have a testimony of God’s great plan of happiness, to know our little Michael Scott is there waiting for us.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints you are never alone. The Church makes this world so much smaller, because as a member you are part of one big family. May we always be ready to reach out and serve those around us who are in need.
In the spring of 1820, God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to the young boy Joseph Smith. God, calling him by name, said, “[Joseph,] This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” [9]
In the book of Enos we read, “There came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee.” [10]
Atop the mountain, God said to Moses, “I have a work for thee, Moses , my son.” [11]
In Doctrine and Covenants 25:1 we read, “Hearken unto the voice of the Lord your God, while I speak unto you, Emma Smith, my daughter.” [12]
There are many other examples in the scriptures of God knowing us by name.
Sister Elaine S. Dalton said, “You may not have heard the Lord call you by name, but He knows each one of you and He knows your name.” [13]
She then quoted Elder Neal A. Maxwell: “I testify to you that God has known you individually . . . for a long, long time (see D&C 93:23). He has loved you for a long, long time. He not only knows the names of all the stars (see Ps. 147:4; Isa. 40:26); He knows your names and all your heartaches and your joys!” [14]
In conclusion, President Thomas S. Monson teaches us to remember. He shared this thought:
To all who are here today, I say, “Look inside yourself. You are more than what you have become. Remember who you are.” You are a son or daughter of our Heavenly Father. You have come from His presence to live on this earth for a season and to live in such a way that you are an example of the believers and a true light to the world. [15]
I testify that as you strive to come to know your Savior, you will come to know how much God loves you, that He does know you.
As you live up to your potential as a son or daughter of God, you will be greatly blessed. The windows of heaven will be poured out upon you.
You will also be a blessing to those around you as you love and serve, even as Jesus did, He who is the Light of the World.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] See Matthew 7:7–8.
[2] Malachi 3:10.
[3] Boyd K. Packer, “The Edge of the Light,” BYU Magazine, Mar. 1991; magazine.byu.edu.
[4] Gerrit W. Gong, “Things Expedient to Understand,” BYU–Idaho devotional, Oct. 20, 2020.
[5] See Mosiah 2:17.
[6] Mosiah 4:11.
[7] Moses 1:10.
[8] Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “You Matter to Him,” Ensign, Nov. 2011; emphasis added.
[9] Joseph Smith—History 1:17.
[10] Enos 1:5.
[11] Moses 1:6.
[12] Doctrine and Covenants 25:1.
[13] Elaine S. Dalton, “He Knows You by Name,” Ensign, May 2005; emphasis added.
[14] Neal A. Maxwell, “Remember How Merciful the Lord Hath Been,” Ensign, May 2004.
[15] Thomas S. Monson, “Be a Light to the World,” BYU devotional, Nov. 1, 2011.