The Answer Is Jesus

Jesus Christ is the answer to both the simplest and the most challenging questions.

In the Gospel of John, the Savior taught that we are His friends if we do what He asks us to do.

It is important to note that the Savior is and will always act as our friend even when we do not do what He asks us to do. Disobedience can cut us off from some blessings, but not from His love or His concern.

In our relationship with the Savior, He looks on the heart and is “no respecter of persons.” Consider how He chose His Apostles. He didn’t pay attention to status or wealth. He invites us to follow Him, and I believe He reassures us that we belong with Him.

Based on the fact that he served as a missionary during the short tenure of President Hunter dates his age somewhat precisely.

We must know Christ better than we know him; we must remember him more often than we remember him; we must serve him more valiantly than we serve him.

Howard W. Hunter

Sister Pincock taught us from the depths of her heart in the simplest Spanish phrases. When she said, “Jesucristo vive,” I knew it was true and that He lived. When she said, “Elderes y hermanas, les amo,” I knew that she loved us and wanted us to follow the Savior always.

The most powerful testimony for anyone who is struggling is always “Christ lives and He loves you, and so do I.” We should always seek to act such that that testimony would feel believable by whoever we testify to.

When Elder Olsen started talking about serving as a mission president my heart ached with a desire to serve in that capacity. It ached because I may never get that chance and my desire is not to preside so much as to be faithful and have an impact on young people in whatever way I am called to serve. Sadly, I am plagued by the feeling that I will be left to languish in a back corner having no noticable impact on anyone.

I know who brings that kind of doubt but I can’t see any way that I would have an opportunity to really touch lives while my marriage is a hollow shell, a pro-forma construct with no life behind it. The thing that kills me is that it seems stuck there no matter what I try doing to help it.

During regular interviews one of our great sister missionaries walked into the office. … As I asked her how she was doing, I could tell she was troubled. She said, “President Olsen, I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t know if I will ever be good enough. I don’t know if I can be the missionary that the Lord needs me to be.”

…

As I listened to her, I struggled to know what to say. I silently prayed: “Heavenly Father, this is an outstanding missionary. She is Yours. She is doing everything right. I don’t want to mess this up. Please help me know what to say.”

The words came to me. I said, “Hermana, I am so sorry you are feeling this way. Let me ask you a question. If you had a friend you were teaching who felt this way, what would you say?”

She looked at me and smiled. With that unmistakable missionary spirit and conviction, she said, “President, that is easy. I would tell her that the Savior knows her perfectly. I would tell her that He lives. He loves you. You are good enough, and you’ve got this!”

With a little chuckle she said, “I guess if that applies to our friends, then it also applies to me.”

To those who will choose to serve, I can attest to the blessings that will come as you heed a prophet’s call. Serving is not about you; it is about the Savior. You will be called to a place, but more importantly you will be called to a people. You will have the great responsibility and blessing of helping new friends understand that the answer is Jesus.

I choose to serve but will I be chosen to serve?

Will I be called to a people or will I be left feeling like I have failed with my little flock from start to finish?