Look Unto Me In Every Thought

In the most recent general conference, Elder Mathias Held spoke about opposition and choices. He quoted this well-known invitation from the Savior which is pivotal for us to overcome opposition and make correct choices: “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:36). Elder Held them said this: “We can rest assured that our difficulties, sorrows, afflictions, and pains do not define us; rather, it is how we go about them that will help us grow and draw closer to God. It is our attitudes and choices that define us much better than our challenges.” We need not be defined by circumstances out of our control; rather, how we look to the Savior in every important choice and difficulty can make us who we are. Rather than dwelling on the negative aspects of the situation we currently find ourselves in, we should focus on Him and receiving His aid and learning what He would have us do. Elder Held added, “Let us never forget that Jesus promised to ‘take upon him the pains and sicknesses of his people … that he may … succor,’ or help, us as we turn to Him. We can choose to build our foundation on the rock that is Jesus Christ so that when the whirlwind comes, ‘it shall have no power over [us].’ He has promised that ‘whosoever will come [to Him], him will [He] receive; and blessed are those who come unto [Him].’” In all we do we must have faith-the first principle of the gospel-that Jesus Christ has strength and help and answers to give us.

Nephi gave us an important example of how to look to the Savior even in the most trying of circumstances. As he and his family journeyed to the promised land on a boat, his brothers became angry with him and tied him up. Nephi described the situation he found himself in: “And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel did take me and bind me with cords, and they did treat me with much harshness…. [There was] a great and terrible tempest, and we were driven back upon the waters for the space of three days; and they began to be frightened exceedingly lest they should be drowned in the sea; nevertheless they did not loose me. And on the fourth day, which we had been driven back, the tempest began to be exceedingly sore.” He described how his wrists “had swollen exceedingly; and also mine ankles were much swollen, and great was the soreness thereof.” And yet, despite this very difficult situation he was in and the suffering he was enduring, he was able to stay focused on the Savior. He related, “Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions” (1 Nephi 18:11-16). That was the key to his ability to endure this terrible trial: he stayed focused on the Lord and looked into Him in every thought. What a powerful example for us! No matter what happens to us in life, no one can take away our ability to look to the Savior for strength and guidance and comfort. No matter what choice we are struggling to make, we can always start by focusing on Him and turning our minds to His life and teachings. That is the key to enduring trials and making difficult decisions. Elder Held concluded with these words: “Let us always be mindful of our Heavenly Father’s wonderful plan for us. He loves us and sent His Beloved Son to help in our trials and to open for us the door to return to Him. Jesus Christ lives and stands there at every moment, waiting for us to choose to call upon Him to provide succor, strength, and salvation.”