A freshman entered a college algebra class with great trepidation. With math as her weakest subject, she had struggled in high school algebra.

A professor took his place at the lectern on the first day of class. He looked at his students, seemingly one by one, and then asked how many felt they had left their high school algebra class with an excellent or good understanding of the subject.

About a quarter of the students reported they had an excellent understanding of the subject; another half of the class said their understanding of algebra was good.

The student's unease heightened, until the professor, speaking to the remainder of the class, promised that, with hard work, everyone would come to understand algebra.

The teacher then assigned students to study groups, with each having at least two students who had an excellent knowledge of high school algebra and two or three who had a good knowledge. Students who had struggled with high school math made up the remainder of each group.

The professor told the students they were members of teams and that team members worked together and left no one behind. To the students who had good or excellent knowledge of algebra, he said, "Look out for your teammates. Look for their weak spots and help them overcome them."

He taught an important lesson: The students were not to compete but were to work together so that all could succeed. He taught more than algebra; he helped the "successful" students realize their ability to lead, to enlighten the "poorer" students, to bring out the best in them. Under his tutelage, students shared their knowledge while helping classmates realize potential they didn't know they had. In essence, he helped the students serve others.

The professor's engaging and clear teaching method, coupled with the support of service by team study groups, enabled every student to pass that class.

The student who feared college algebra came to enjoy the class. Her confidence grew, not only in that one subject but also in many other aspects of her life as her professor continually gave encouragement. "You can do this," he would say. "Don't worry about your high school grade; look at how much you are learning now." "It really isn't all that hard once you understand the basics and you are learning those day by day." "We will help you. We won't let you fail."

Years have passed. The professor is long gone from the classrooms of academia, but the lessons he taught live on. The most profound lessons have little to do with academia. Looking back, the fearful student sees application in the counsel the Lord gave when Frederick G. Williams was called to be a counselor to Joseph Smith: "Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees" (Doctrine and Covenants 81:5).

The college professor strengthened a student who was, in a manner of speaking, weak in the knees with fear. He gave her the support and encouragement she needed to walk confidently into the field of college mathematics.

The professor did not dwell upon her past failures or poor grades in high school algebra. He looked for and showed her ways that she could progress. Rather than belittling her lack of understanding of the discipline of mathematics, he built upon her ability to learn. He was willing to overlook her poor scholarship of the past by focusing on her potential to succeed.

Most of us, even the most competent individuals, face moments of doubt, fear, insecurity and uncertainty. We could sum up mortality as challenging and unpredictable. Because life is not easy, we need to love and support one another.

To help his students with "feeble knees" get through their college course, the professor provided a support system of teammates. As Latter-day Saints, we have a more expansive support group. Beginning with members of our families, it expands to innumerable sources. Church leaders, from the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve, Quorums of Seventy, to local priesthood and auxiliary leaders and others provide instruction, counsel, encouragement and direction. Home teachers and visiting teachers are important members of our support team.

May we always be willing to help strengthen the feeble knees of others and, just as important, accept the assistance of those who are willing to lift us up and help us reach our potential or improve our lives.