Elder Steven E. Snow: 'Get on with our lives'
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"Change is an essential part of life's experiences," Elder Steven E. Snow of the Presidency of the Seventy taught during the Sunday morning session of general conference.
"Our lives change as we progress from childhood through youth and on into adulthood and finally old age," Elder Snow said. "Schooling, missions, marriage, employment, and retirement are all examples of milestones of change. Too often we are reluctant to enter the next stage, begin the next challenge. Maybe we are too comfortable, fearful, or lacking in faith."
Elder Snow outlined four ways to prepare for the changes will face in life:
First, follow the prophets. "Prophets often raise a voice of warning, but also provide steady, pragmatic counsel to help us weather the storms of life," Elder Snow said.
Second, keep an eternal perspective. "Understand that change and challenges are part of God's Plan," he said.
Third, have faith. "We must exercise faith to take on life's challenges and changes," he noted. "It is how we learn and progress."
Fourth, be of good cheer.
Elder Snow told the story of Robert Gardner Jr., an early pioneer who faced many challenging assignments, circumstances and misfortunes throughout his life. After many years of struggles, Brother Gardner and his family began to prosper in the Salt Lake Valley. It was at this time that he was called on a mission to head south to make a new settlement and grow cotton.
Of his neighbors returning from a meeting in Salt Lake City and bringing him the news of his call, Brother Gardner recorded in his journal, "I looked and spit, took off my hat and scratched [my head] and thought and said, 'All right.' "
Of Brother Gardner's example, Elder Snow said, "Robert Gardner knew what it meant to deal with change in his life. He followed the counsel of the brethren, accepting calls to serve when it was not convenient. He had a great love for the Lord and demonstrated strong, unbending faith with amazing good humor and grace."
