Jeffrey R. Holland

I love the Psalms. I would like to introduce to you today a few verses from this wonderful book of scripture.

Last weekend, I was in Pine Valley, Utah—a little mountainside hamlet about 35 miles north of St. George, Utah. Two of my children and their spouses joined me as I dedicated a preserved and freshly refurbished pioneer-era home. Built by my great-great-grandfather Robert Gardner Jr., this lovely little place has both personal and historical significance. Robert, who ran a prosperous mill in the Salt Lake Valley and had a picture-perfect farm in the beautiful cotton area of the new city, was called to leave everything behind and come down to this area to harvest pinewood for the organ in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. According to family tradition, when he first heard of his call to Pine Valley, he took his hat off, thought for a minute, and then decided that since the work he would do was for the Lord, he would accept the assignment and make his way south—whatever the hardship. He ended up serving as a bishop in Pine Valley for 40 years (a calling that included serving three other far-flung congregations)—and as mayor of St. George all at the same time. He also played a critical role in the building of the St. George Temple. The story of his determination and many sacrifices, and those of his wife, my great-great grandmother Leanora Cannon Gardner, still inspires me and my children today. We hope in our day to be as willing to “go and do” as were these beloved ancestors.

Despite the numerous challenges that have presented themselves over the last year and a half in my life, it is because of the gifts from Jesus Christ that I can remain grateful and optimistic about the future.   I am grateful for the promise of enjoying eternal life with the ones I love, made possible because of Christ’s infinite atoning sacrifice. Likewise, I am eternally grateful for the supplication of thousands of people who repeatedly sought heaven’s intervention in my behalf during my months of illness and loss.   I am grateful for the women of the @churchofjesuschrist who have been as strong as Mount Sinai and as compassionate as the Mount of Beatitudes. I am thankful for the Church’s army of teachers, officers, advisers, and clerks, to say nothing of people who are forever setting up tables and taking down chairs.   Too often I have failed to express gratitude for the faith and goodness of these people in my life. My thanks be to all you wonderful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—and legions of good people not of our faith—for proving every day of your life that the pure love of Christ “never faileth” (1 Corinthians 13:8).   Although I do not yet qualify, I am forever thankful to my Savior for all He has done and continues to do for me. How grateful I am for the promise that everyone “who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious” (Doctrine and Covenants 78:19).

If we can be more humble, more childlike, and more receptive to the Spirit of the Lord, we can be healed by Him. He will put the broken things in our lives back together.

God will never abandon you. God will never leave you alone.

I’m not sure about the success of economies, politics, businesses, universities, or hospitals. But I know one thing that will never fail—the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Today I share with you a very brief verse that has terrific doctrinal and personal significance for me. It’s from section 124 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

Jesus’s love faileth not and neither does His Father’s.

My recent study of the New Testament has again reminded me of the virtues of the Savior that I love and want to emulate. How grateful I am for His love, mercy, and forgiveness.

I was delighted to spend time with some of my Primary-age friends during the Friend to Friend broadcast. Together we talked about how to share the love of Jesus Christ with others.   How grateful we are for the children and youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their faith in the Savior.   I invite you to watch the full broadcast—especially if you are a parent of young children—to learn more about how to have discussions with your children about sharing their testimonies of the Savior.

In our present day, tremendously difficult issues face any disciple of Jesus Christ. We might sometimes want to run away from where we are, but we certainly should never run away from who we are—children of the living God who loves us and will never forsake us.

This week I had the opportunity to visit by telephone with Olympian Kenneth Rooks, whose inspired steeplechase performance in Paris won him a medal and captured the admiration of millions of people around the world.   I congratulate him and all the athletes who remind us of what is possible when we give our all to something. Kenneth, like so many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, does extraordinary things in life both in and out of the spotlight.   My mind turns to the “races” that all of us run—those daily challenges and experiences that help us grow as children of God as we strive to be more like His Son Jesus Christ.   It may not feel as if it comes with a medal or trophy, but we know that the prize is real. It is what Christ conveyed at the conclusion of the Crucifixion when he said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). “Into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). Image: Ashley Landis, Associated Press