Apr 21, 2024

Emeritus General Authority Seventy Larry R. Lawrence once shared the story of a young college student who lost his brother, his job, and his girlfriend all in the same month. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, this student decided to recommit his life to living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

All too often, we find ourselves in unfortunate situations despite our best efforts. As a BYU student in my second semester, I, too, often feel I’m being dealt hands I don’t deserve. Lately I’ve been asking myself the following question: “What would Heavenly Father have me do to find comfort when my circumstances are less than ideal?”

Wilford Woodruff recorded Joseph Smith’s teaching that “when the Lord has thoroughly proved [someone] and find[s] that the man is determined to serve him at all hazard, then . . . it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter.” When we devote ourselves to serving God, he will give us the strength to overcome any challenge we face.

Just as Jesus Christ sent angels to minister to John the Baptist after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, we can find comfort in our trials by turning outward and serving others. King Benjamin taught, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). 

As you study the Book of Mormon this week, ask yourself, “How might my life be better if I spend less energy thinking about myself and more energy thinking about others?” As you do this, I promise you an increased capacity to shoulder your own burdens, whatever they may be. As Christ taught, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24).

Scott Hansen is an intern at the Wilford Woodruff Papers Project. Busy completing his second semester at BYU, Scott enjoys reading the first-hand accounts of early Church leaders. His work on the Project has strengthened his testimony of the Restoration and has helped bring early Church figures to life for him.