Women can find strength as they rely on the Lord
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PROVO, Utah
Despite challenges and trials in life, women can find strength as they rely on the Lord, Sister Cheryl C. Lant, Primary general president, said April 30 during Women's Conference at BYU.
Sister Lant shared personal experiences with women that allowed her to put her trust in the Lord in times of trial.
"I came to realize more fully how much I have learned through my experiences, and how much I am continually learning as I move through my own unique learning opportunities," Sister Lant said. "Now, I call my challenges learning opportunities, because I think that challenges and struggles are part of Heavenly Father's plan. We must struggle in order to grow."
The trials of each individual are specific and unique, but each gives reason to draw upon the Atonement of Jesus Christ, she said.
"Knowing that having challenges is part of the plan means we do not need to see ourselves alone or somehow targeted to suffer. We can accept this as a pattern of life that ... will bring us eternal life if we will let it," she said. "We can know that the very challenges that we seek to overcome are the means by which we can attain great blessings."
Because of different strengths, weaknesses, personalities and circumstances, how an individual reacts to challenges varies. Regardless of the trial, strength comes in the knowledge that all are daughters of a loving Father in Heaven, who has provided a Savior to rely on, said Sister Lant.
"So sisters, when challenges come, as surely they must — where do we look?" she asked. "We have to make that choice. ... Do we look to Him with trust and confidence that He will not give us more to deal with than we can handle? ... Do we look forward and get up and get moving?"
By persevering and living worthy of the Lord's help, strength is promised, Sister Lant said.
"This means being strictly obedient to all of our Father's commandments, really trying every day to make the gospel part of our lives, knowing that we can never justify a lack of faithful obedience just because things are hard," she said.
Adversity comes to all but through difficult times one can be blessed and refined as one puts trust in the Lord.
"We cannot always avoid or change the challenges in our lives," she said. "But we can look up to the Lord and allow His Atonement to bless and cleanse our lives, bringing us peace and reassurance even amid the trials."
