What strengthens my faith is to realize that the “Great Creator” is my loving Heavenly Father and I am His son.  If I trust in Him and His Beloved Son Jesus Christ and seek His help and direction, He will help me through the worldly destructive land mines of sin and lead me to accomplish my earthly mission and be prepared to return to His presence.  The good news of the gospel is not the promise of a life free of sorrow and tribulation but a life full of purpose and meaning—a life where our sorrows and afflictions can be swallowed up in the joy of Christ

“For after much tribulation come the blessings.  Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet but is nigh at hand.”  (Doctrine and Covenants 58: 4)

 President Nelson said,

“..I learned that one of the Hebraic meanings of the word Israel is “let God prevail.” Thus the very name of Israel refers to a person who is willing to let God prevail in his or her life. That concept stirs my soul!  The word willing is crucial to this interpretation of Israel. We all have our agency. We can choose to be of Israel, or not. We can choose to let God prevail in our lives, or not. We can choose to let God be the most powerful influence in our lives, or not.  For a moment, let us recall a crucial turning point in the life of Jacob, the grandson of Abraham. At the place Jacob named Peniel (which means the face of God), Jacob wrestled with a serious challenge. His agency was tested. Through this wrestle, Jacob proved what was most important to him. He demonstrated that he was willing to let God prevail in his life. In response, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, meaning “let God prevail.” God then promised Israel that all the blessings that had been pronounced upon Abraham’s head would also be his.”  (President Russell Nelson “Let God Prevail” General Conference, October 2020).

Because in letting God prevail in my life, in letting Him author my story, my faith in Jesus Christ has increased.  How, then, will you let Him prevail?

What does that look like to a young person who is pursuing an education and wants to marry and have a family? President Dallin H. Oaks, in the First Presidency, has explained that the choice is not between family or education or career. He said: “Timing is what we have to choose, and we seek the inspiration of the Lord and the teachings of His servants in doing that.”

If men and women cease to have and nurture children, this mortal experience ends. It is vitally important, then, that we neither neglect nor dismiss the sacred responsibility of parenthood.

An abundance of social science data demonstrates the decisive, negative impact to nations and civilizations that stop having children. In many parts of the world, the average number of live births per woman is fewer than two. That means we are not replacing ourselves.

As leaders of the Church, we are concerned about recent trends in marriage and childbirth. In the United States, over the last 30 years, we have seen an eight to nine percentage point drop in those citizens who have ever been married. These figures represent a worldwide problem.” When people do not marry, fewer children are born.

The United States recently crossed a “threshold where, of adults aged 18–55, there is now a greater share of single adults with no children than there are married adults with children.

Children are vital to maintaining civilization. They are vital to the glorious plan of happiness. The commandment for us to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.

“Each of us has a divine potential because each is a child of God. Each is equal in His eyes. The implications of this truth are profound. Brothers and sisters, please listen carefully to what I am about to say. God does not love one race more than another. His doctrine on this matter is clear. He invites all to come unto Him, “black and white, bond and free, male and female.” (President Russell Nelson “Let God Prevail” General Conference, October 2020)

Glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ

His glorious gospel provides answers to life’s greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where does my spirit go when I die?  His commandments guide us through the “landmines” of sin and knowing right from wrong and how to experience joy and happiness in this life and the life to come.

Some of the article was taken from Cammille N Johnson, “lessons learned in inviting Christ to Author My Story” Liahona Magazine, September 2025.