Welcome back to winter semester, whether you are taking classes remotely or right here in Rexburg. We feel so lucky and blessed to be able to be together. We can’t wait to get started with you in another semester of learning, meeting lifelong friends, and strengthening our testimonies.
Like most of you, our family conversations around the dinner table last week centered on the new year and things we hope for. We have hope that the new year will bring good things.
I was recently with a friend talking about some goals, and I mentioned that I wanted to start strength training. This friend asked to see my hands. I was confused but held them out, nonetheless. I didn’t know it, but they were looking for the callouses that come from lifting weights. I didn’t have any—yet. I would have thought that they would have asked me to flex my bicep, which is not that impressive yet either. But, I have hope that by this time next year, I will be stronger. I have signed up with a trainer, and I trust the program even when I am asked to do pushups to failure. So, I have a goal, and a system, and I just need to show up and work consistently and not be afraid of failure.
I have also been told that I need to keep a log of the amount of weight I am lifting so that I can see improvement. Maybe some of you have similar goals for fitness.
And I have been told that it is important to have a “why” when setting goals. Why do I want to build strength? I want to be physically strong in order to be able to serve. I want to serve a mission with my husband. I want to serve my family and friends. And, of course, I want to dance with my grandchildren and ski with my husband. It is good for me to remember my why when I don’t really feel like doing wall sits with bicep curls.
There is another kind of strength I want to develop. Maybe we can do it as a group. I just love group fitness classes. I get inspired to work harder when I am with others, and I take courage from their energy. This kind of strength training might give us callouses on our knees instead of our hands.
In a recent Instagram post, Sister Sharon Eubank encouraged us to become “more fit for the kingdom.” I am equally excited about this goal. We have a prescribed workout this year that includes navigating a pandemic. It might push our faith, our love for others, and our patience to “failure.” But it’s the good kind of failure that builds spiritual muscles. If we allow for it, I am pretty sure this pandemic will make us stronger. Alma 20:4 reads, “in the strength of the Lord, thou canst do all things.” [1]
I look forward to asking you next year if you feel stronger. I won’t ask you to flex your spiritual muscles or to show me your calloused hands, but I hope you will have kept a log or journal so that you can see for yourself and remember how the Lord helped to build you through this time.
President Eyring and I are praying for you. We feel so blessed to serve here at BYU-Idaho with you.
I love our Savior Jesus Christ and want to be physically and spiritually fit to serve Him. That is my why. What is yours?
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] Alma 20:4.