Is the Plan Working?

When life does not unfold the way we hope it may seem that the plan is not working.

In times of trouble turn to Jesus Christ right away.

No matter where we are and where we have been, repentance is the way forward.

Follow Jesus Christ instead of trying to follow your own wisdom and strength.

Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up to greater things.

What great things does the Lord want me to accomplish?

Is the plan working?

Recently I had a conversation with a young adult who served a mission several years ago and was now involved in his professional work. In some ways, his life was going well. But his faith was in decline. He was sinking into a sea of doubt about the Savior and His Church. He explained that he wasn’t receiving the blessings he expected from the restored gospel. He didn’t feel that the plan of happiness was working in his life.

My message today is for all those who might have similar feelings. I speak to those who at one time “felt to sing the song of redeeming love” but do not “feel so now.”

He’s speaking to me. I have not lost hope or faith presently but I have definitely felt that the blessings of keeping covenants are not evident in my life.

Could I share with you three principles I learn from Peter? I pray that these principles might help anyone who feels that the plan of happiness isn’t working in their lives.

First, act in faith in Jesus Christ.

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{Second,} in times of trouble, turn to Jesus Christ right away.

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{Third,} humble yourself before the Lord, and He will lift you up to greater things.

Peter trusted the Savior more than he trusted his boat.

If you look back on your life, I believe you will see that you have exercised faith many times. Joining the Church is an act of faith. Speaking with Heavenly Father in prayer is an act of faith. Reading the scriptures is an act of faith. Listening to my message in this general conference is an act of faith. As President Russell M. Nelson has said, “Do not minimize the faith you already have.”

This doesn’t feel helpful. Having acted in faith doesn’t make it easier when the blessings seem absent despite the exercise of faith.

Coming unto Christ means more than just thinking about Him or talking about Him or even loving Him. It means following Him. It means living the way He teaches us to live. And for all of us, that means repenting, without delay.

One of my daughters used to work at the missionary training center. She told me of an elder she taught who confided in her that he wasn’t sure the Book of Mormon was true. He had prayed and prayed for a spiritual witness, but he received no answer.

My daughter prayed to know what she should do to help this missionary. The impression she received was that the scriptures were not given only so we can read them and obtain a testimony; they were given also to teach us to keep the commandments of God. My daughter shared this thought with the missionary.

Later, she saw this missionary again, looking much happier. He told her that he had finally received a testimony that the Book of Mormon is true. He knew that this witness came because he was making a greater effort to do what the Book of Mormon teaches.

That elder is Mariah. What has she done to deliberately implement the teachings of the scriptures in her life? Has she learned how to identify the Spirit or is she being disappointed because she doesn’t even know how to recognize a witness when it is given?

Let us follow Peter’s example of turning to the Savior during times of trouble. Follow Jesus Christ instead of relying on your own wisdom and strength. No matter how long you’ve been trying to tread water without Him, it’s never too late to reach out to Him. The plan works!

What great things does the Lord want you to accomplish? In His Church and kingdom, there are many opportunities to serve and minister to others as the Savior did. He wants you to be part of His great work. Never will the plan of happiness become more real to you than when you are helping others to live it.

In building my own faith, these words of Alma were life-changing: “Blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble.” Let us humbly put ourselves in a position where Jesus can lift us, lead us, and make the most of our abilities.

“Great things” in the eyes of the Lord do not always look like great things in the eyes of the world. What great things does the Lord want me to accomplish? I’m not certain.

I know things that I would love to accomplish in His church, things that I thought He wanted for me like serving full time in some capacity—like Mission President while I’m still young enough to be energetic or Temple President after retirement or as Stake President or some level of general authority spanning those stages of life going out to do His work where needed. (Not necessarily all of them but some of them.) But my life thus far seems to suggest that if I can even hold my family together and somewhat connected to the church that would be an accomplishment of herculean proportion.

Right now I need to fight for my marriage to thrive and my family to grow hearts knit together in unity and love.