This comforting doctrine has been demonstrated in the lives of millions of the faithful. It is a concept which is a main theme of the Old Testament—as the children of Israel had difficulty remembering to trust in the Lord and not the arm of flesh. Solomon wisely stated, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Prov 3:5-6).
Heber J. Grant
“Let me say in passing that Alma knew, no better than I know, that those who put their trust in God shall be supported in all manner of afflictions and trials; because I have passed through trials and tribulations and have been supported by Him. I was able to sit by the deathbed of my last living son, for whom I had great expectations, and see him die without my shedding a tear; and there was a most peaceful feeling in my heart when he passed away. So I know, as Alma of old knew, that those who trust in God shall be supported in their tribulation.” (Gospel Standards, compiled by G. Homer Durham, p. 324)
Jeffrey R. Holland
(From the Church News, Oct. 9, 1993)
“In words of one syllable, we need to turn to God. We need to reaffirm our faith and we need to reassert our hope. Where necessary we need to repent, and certainly we need to pray. It is the absence of spiritual fidelity that has led us to the moral disarray in the twilight of the Twentieth Century. We have sown the wind of religious skepticism and we are reaping the whirlwind of existential despair.”
“My testimony today is of the angels and ministers of grace who will always defend us if … we ’take care of … sacred things,‘ we ’look to God and live.’ (Alma 38:47.)”
He related how Alma entreated Helaman to put his trust in God, testifying that God had supported him [Alma] in trials, troubles and afflictions of every kind, and had delivered him. (Alma 36:27.) Elder Holland testified that the Lord “will deliver all the rest of us, too … if we will but ’take care of sacred things,‘ if we will ’look to God and live.’ ”
A hush fell over the Tabernacle congregation as Elder Holland spoke of the faith and insight of Katie Lewis, a 4-year-old neighbor. Katie’s older brother is battling leukemia. Katie’s parents fasted and prayed, and repeatedly went to the temple. As her mother returned home one day from the temple, weary and worried, Katie handed her a crumpled sheaf of papers. The child said, “They are the scriptures, and do you know what they say?…They say ’Trust Jesus.’ ”
Elder Holland related that the mother said she felt near-tangible arms of peace encircle her weary soul and a divine stillness calm her troubled heart.
“In a world of discouragement, sorrow and over much sin, in times when fear and despair seem to prevail, when humanity is feverish with no worldly physicians in sight, I too say, ’Trust Jesus,’ ” Elder Holland said. “Let Him still the tempest and ride upon the storm. Believe that He can lift mankind from its bed of affliction, in time and in eternity.”
John Taylor
“There are many things that seem to us trials and difficulties, that perplex, annoy, and harass our spirits; yet these very things, as one justly observed, are blessings in disguise, so many helps to us to develop our weaknesses and infirmities, and lead us to put our trust in God, and rely upon Him to give us a knowledge of ourselves, of our neighbors, and of the work of God; they have a tendency to develop principles of worth to our minds, and thus they serve as schoolmasters, helps, and instructors, and are to us as many blessings in disguise. In fact all things that we have to do with in the world, whether they are adversity or prosperity, whether they relate to ourselves or to others, if rightly appreciated and understood, may teach us a lesson that will be to our joy, probably not only in time, but in all eternity.” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, p. 366)
“Footprints”:
"One night a man had a dream.
He was walking along the beach with the Lord
and across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
In each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand;
one made by him, and the other by the Lord.
"When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life
there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the worst times in his life.
"This bothered him very much,
so he asked the Lord about it.
’Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you’d walk with me all the way.
But I’ve noticed that during times of trouble,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why you left me when I needed you the most.’
"The Lord answered, ’My precious child, I love you,
and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial, when you see only one set of footprints
that’s when I was carrying you.’" --M.R. Powers.