This week we will be studying Elder Andersen’s talk from the Saturday afternoon session of conference. I love the talk because I think it sets a clear path of how to navigate questions and doubts with faith and in a way that will bring answers and truth and testimony. My favorite part is when he points out the right sources to turn to when we are looking for answers and clarification.
| Trial of Your Faith By Elder Neil L. Andersen |
One of the fastest ways we can come closer to Christ is to repent and regain the Holy Ghost. The Spirit can comfort, quiet fears, answer questions, resolve doubts, and restore confidence.
What stood out to you from this talk? What strategies have been helpful to you when your faith needed bolstering? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
(A reminder to those of you who are new to General Conference Book Club: You’re welcome to return to this post any time this week and leave your comment and thoughts in the comment section below. You may also want to see what others are saying about the talk and engage in a conversation for mutual understanding and encouragement. A new talk will be posted each Sunday and will be studied and discussed throughout the week.)
Diapers and Divinity 
I loved this quote: “But our trials need not be spiritually fatal. They need not take us from our covenants or from the household of God.” I’ve seen people I love deal with some hard things. Some kept the faith and some felt forsaken and turned away.
I also liked his quote for E. Christofferson about how his trials changed him. The things I gone through the last couple of years were very difficult, but they changed me–mostly in good ways, I think. I feel more able to let go of having things the way I think they should be and trust more in God to see me through whatever it is He knows that I need to do.
One of the messages that stood out to me in this talk was “With faith come trials of faith, bringing increased faith.” It helps to have the perspective when we are going through trials that this is an essential part of life, and if we “exercise faith in Christ,… pray, …ponder the scriptures, …repent, …keep the commandments, and ….serve others,” we will have the result of increased faith.
President Benson “every person eventually is backed up to the wall of faith, and there … must make his stand. Don’t be surprised when it happens to you!”
hopefully I remember to remain “steadfast and immovable” when my next trial of faith come along.
What a wonderful talk. I have several favorite parts. This is something I know, but it is so wonderful to have it retaught and reiterated.
“How do you remain “steadfast and immovable” during a trial of faith? You immerse yourself in the very things that helped build your core of faith: you exercise faith in Christ, you pray, you ponder the scriptures, you repent, you keep the commandments, and you serve others.”
“It is within the sanctuary of the Church that we protect our faith. ”
““Every [person] eventually is backed up to the wall of faith, and there … must make his stand.” Don’t be surprised when it happens to you!”
“Like the intense fire that transforms iron into steel, as we remain faithful during the fiery trial of our faith, we are spiritually refined and strengthened.”
“We shall emerge from all these trials and difficulties the better and purer for them, if we only trust in our God and keep His commandments” “
This talk means something so much more to me today than it would have 1 week ago. I have two friends that have fallen from the church. This talk was so needed. This quote especially stuck with me
“When faced with a trial of faith—whatever you do, you don’t step away from the Church! Distancing yourself from the kingdom of God during a trial of faith is like leaving the safety of a secure storm cellar just as the tornado comes into view. (2012 October General Conference, Trial of Your Faith, Sat. Afternoon Session – By Neil L. Andersen)