In the eyes and hearts of many people in the world today, there

is evidence of doubt, fear, and hopelessness. Much of the

insecurity in the world has filtered into our homes and personal

lives. No matter what our age or circumstance, we all have a need

to know that we have power in the present and hope in the future.

Listen to the words of Mormon: "Know ye not that ye are in the

hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power?" (Mormon

5:23).

Hands are one of the symbolically expressive parts of the body. In

Hebrew, yad, the most common word for "hand," is also used

metaphorically to mean power, strength, might (see William

Wilson, Old Testament Word Studies [1978], 205). Thus, hands

signify power and strength.

The extended hand of our living prophet, President Gordon B.

Hinckley, strengthens, lifts, and inspires people all across the

world.

To be in the hands of God would suggest that we are not only

under His watchful care but also that we are guarded and protected

by His wondrous power.

Throughout the scriptures, reference is made to the hand of the

Lord. His divine assistance is evidenced over and over again. His

powerful hands created worlds, and yet they were gentle enough to

bless the little children.

Consider John's words describing the resurrected and glorified

Savior: "And when I saw him, . . . he laid his right hand upon me,

saying unto me, Fear not; . . . I am he that liveth, and was dead;

and, behold, I am alive for evermore" (Revelation

1:17–18). When

He lays His hand upon us, we, like John, can be alive in Him.

Twenty-four years ago, our tiny newborn son struggled for his life

in the intensive care unit of a hospital. His lungs were not fully

developed because of his premature birth, and he desperately

fought for each breath of air. He was so small but with so much

will to live. As young and inexperienced parents, my courageous

and ever faithful wife, Jan, and I prayed that the Lord's hand would

reach out and somehow help our baby boy continue to breathe. As

I put my trembling hand through the small opening into the

isolette, I felt so inadequate and powerless. I took hold of the tiny

but perfect hand of our newborn son, and there was a powerful

spiritual connection never to be forgotten. Two fingers from each

of my hands covered his tiny head as I administered to him.

Our desire for him was pure, but we knew that his earthly

experience rested in the Lord's hands and not in ours or in the

medical team who cared for him. I then humbly realized that my

quivering hands held power and authority well beyond my own.

My fingers on his head symbolized the placing of God's hands and

power upon our son. Following that blessing, in a moment of

emotional peace, my eternal companion and I looked at each other

across the isolette, feeling the spirit of renewed hope and comfort

born of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in the personal effect of

His Atonement. It was a powerful witness of His love for an infant

son who had just left His presence. We were then better prepared

to accept His will for our son. We truly felt we had placed our

hands in the hands of the Savior. It was as if the Savior's own

hands provided the critical respiratory aid, allowing our son to

breathe and gain sustenance. With each breath and with each

incremental bit of progress, we expressed prayerful thanks. Today,

our healthy son and his indebted parents continue to be so grateful

for the Savior's willing hands.

Among the supernal promises of coming forth in the morning of

the First Resurrection and inheriting "thrones, kingdoms,

principalities, and powers" are the additional promises of "all

heights and depths" (D&C 132:19). The great plan of happiness

includes a proverbial roller coaster of challenging times along with

the most joyful times. Yes, we all have our moments of difficulty

and heartbreak. Occasionally, they are so difficult for us that we

just want to give up. There are times when our steps are unsteady,

when we feel discouraged and even reach out in desperation.

Elder Holland reminds us that the "symbol of the cup that cannot

pass is a cup that comes in our life as well as in [the Savior's]. It is

in a much lesser way, to a much lesser degree, but it comes often

enough to teach us that we have to obey" (Trusting Jesus [2003],

42).

Every one of us needs to know that we can go on in the strength of

the Lord. We can put our hand in His, and we will feel His

sustaining presence lift us to heights unattainable alone.

When a stricken father brought his terribly afflicted son to Jesus,

Mark records that "Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up;

and he arose" (Mark 9:27).

We must trust in the Lord. If we give ourselves freely to Him, our

burdens will be lifted and our hearts will be consoled.

Elder Scott has recently counseled: "Trust in God . . . no matter

how challenging the circumstance. . . . Your peace of mind, your

assurance of answers to vexing problems, your ultimate joy depend

upon your trust in Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ"

("The

Sustaining Power of Faith in Times of Uncertainty and

Testing," Liahona and Ensign, May 2003, 76, 78).

How do we learn to trust? How do we learn to extend our hand and

connect to the comfort provided by the Lord?

Clear instruction came from the Lord to Joseph Smith: "Learn of

me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and

you shall have peace in me. . . . Pray always, and I will pour out

my Spirit upon you" (D&C 19:23, 38).

Here are four keys:

• Learn

• Listen

• Seek the Spirit

• Pray always

The Lord will provide sustenance and support if we are willing to

open the door and receive His hand of divine assistance.

President Thomas S. Monson reminds us of the Savior's willing

hand of rescue: "Adored is the hand that saves—even the hand of

Jesus Christ, the Son of God. . . . With that hand he knocks upon the door of our understanding" ("Hands," Tambuli, Mar. 1991, 5;

Ensign, Aug. 1990, 5).

Recently our daughter and son-in-law were preparing to enjoy an

evening together. They were rushing around trying to get ready and

give the babysitter some last minute instructions. They didn't really

notice the sad countenance of one of the children and the tears in

the eyes of another until they were at the door, ready to leave. They

realized that their children were apprehensive about their mommy

and daddy being away from them. So their parents gathered their

four precious children around them. Their daddy asked them to put

their hands out in front of them. All eight tiny hands were

extended. Mom and Dad then kissed each hand and told them that

when they missed them or they were frightened or needed to feel

their love, they could put their little hands up to their cheeks and

they would be able to feel Mommy's and Daddy's presence

anytime. They were so happy, and when our daughter and

son-in-law left, they saw four little children standing at the window

with smiles on their faces and hands on their cheeks.

They trusted their parents. They knew they were loved.

Just as little children trust, each of us must have that same

childlike, unreserved trust. We must all remember that we are sons

and daughters of God and that He loves us very much. If we truly

understand who we are, we will have an unfailing source of hope

and comfort.

We can never complete "the race that is set before us" (Hebrews

12:1) without placing our hand in the Lord's.

Several years ago, our only daughter decided to compete in a marathon. She trained and worked very hard, along with some of

her friends. The race was difficult, and there were times when she

wanted to quit. But she kept going, just concentrating on one step

at a time. As she was approaching the middle part of the course,

she heard someone behind her shout out, "Blind man on your left."

She turned her head only to see a blind man overtake her, holding

the hand of another man. They were both running the race. As they

passed, she could see how tightly the blind man held the hand of

his friend.

Overcome with her own physical pain, she was lifted as she

watched these two men run hand in hand. He who could see was

motivated by his blind friend, and the blind man depended upon

the connection he had to his friend's hand. Our daughter knew the

blind man could never finish the race alone. She was inspired by

the trust of the blind man and the devoted love of his friend.

In like manner, the Savior has stretched forth His hand to each of

us so that we don't have to run alone. "To those [of us] who

[occasionally] stagger or stumble, He is there to steady and

strengthen" (Trusting Jesus, 43). As we advance toward the finish

line, He will be there to save us; and for all this He gave His life.

Imagine the wounds in His hands. His weathered hands, yes, even

His hands of torn flesh and physical sacrifice, give our own hands

greater power and direction.

It is the wounded Christ who leads us through our moments of

difficulty. It is He who bears us up when we need more air to

breathe or direction to follow or even more courage to continue.

If we will keep the commandments of God and walk hand in hand

with Him in His paths, we will go forward with faith and never feel

alone.

Trust in His promise of eternal life, and allow peace and hope to

distill upon you.

When we connect with the Author of Peace and with His perfect

and redeeming love, then we can come to know the reality of the

Lord's promise: "I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand,

saying . . . , Fear not; I will help thee" (Isaiah

41:13).

I testify of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and living Savior.

I testify that He lives and extends His loving hand to each of us. In

the name of Jesus Christ, amen.