This week I’ve been studying the General Conference talk by Pres. Henry B. Eyring, “Trust in God, Then Go and Do.”  As I have pondered on his message I have learned a little more about myself and the areas I need to work on to truly develop trust in God.

*How do we come to trust God?

Pres. Eyring says, “Trust comes from knowing God.”

*How do we come to know God?

By talking to Him through prayer, by studying His words in scripture, by learning all that He has revealed about Himself, by keeping His commandments.

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)


“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)


“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

Pres. Eyring gave a few examples from scriptures of those who initially did not show trust in God – Jonah, Naaman, Peter walking on the water. For some of us, like Jonah, it is too hard to go and preach repentance. For others it is the simple acts like bathing in a river that cause us to stumble as Naaman. And still for some who have a little faith to begin what we are asked to do we become afraid like Peter when we see or feel the boisterous wind about us.

“O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:31)

*How do we find out what God wants us to do?

We have to ask. We have to listen.

Elder Eyring shared: “My heart is filled with gratitude for what God has revealed about Himself that we might trust Him.

“For me it began in 1820 with a young boy in a grove of trees on a farm in the state of New York. The boy, Joseph Smith Jr., walked among the trees to a secluded spot. He knelt to pray with complete trust that God would answer his pleading to know what he should do to be cleansed and saved through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

“Each time I read his account, my trust in God and His servants expands:

“I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.

“It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”

The Father revealed to us that He lives, that Jesus Christ is His Beloved Son, and that He loved us enough to send that Son to save us, who are His children. And because I have a testimony that He called that unlettered boy as an apostle and prophet, I trust His apostles and prophets today and those they call to serve God.”

In seminary we are studying the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History. I made a poster that hangs in our dining room (where we have seminary) that shows a picture of Joseph Smith with the words “Do you think he was ever sorry that he asked?”

I don’t think he was. At any time when the persecutions were raging, when he was being tarred and feathered, when mobs were driving his family from their home, Joseph could have renounced it all. But he didn’t! Because he knew God and trusted in Him.

*Are we afraid to ask God what He expects of us?

It is hard to let go of the things of this world, especially when we have let them take root in our hearts. It is painful to dig out those roots! But it is more painful to let them grow stronger. Our lack of trust in God bring sadness, the pain becomes misery. How long do we allow ourselves to be miserable until like Peter we cry, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30)

We are each on different levels, at various points on our journeys. Isn’t it wonderful to know, “Your needs are great and varied. Each of you is a unique child of God. God knows you individually. He sends messages of encouragement, correction, and direction fitted to you and to your needs.” (Pres. Eyring)  It behooves each of us to put our trust in God, find out what God wants us to do and the do it.

*How do we show our trust in God?

Again from Pres. Eyring: “You show your trust in Him when you listen with the intent to learn and repent and then you go and do whatever He asks. If you trust God enough to listen for His message in every sermon, song, and prayer you will find it. And if you then go and do what He would have you do, your power to trust Him will grow, and in time you will be overwhelmed with gratitude to find that He has come to trust you.“

That last line reminds me of one of Mr. Ferrero Rocher’s favorite stories.

“Joseph Millett, with his large family, was suffering through very, very difficult times. He wrote in his journal: ” ‘One of my children came in and said that Brother Newton Hall’s folks was out of bread, had none that day. ”

‘I divided our flour in a sack to send up to Brother Hall. Just then Brother Hall came. ” ‘Says I, “Brother Hall, are you out of flour?”

“Brother Millett, we have none.”

“Well, Brother Hall, there is some in that sack. I have divided and was going to send it to you. Your children told mine that you was out.”

‘Brother Hall began to cry. He said he had tried others, but could not get any. He went to the cedars and prayed to the Lord, and the Lord told him to go to Joseph Millett. ”

“Well Brother Hall, you needn’t bring this back. If the Lord sent you for it you don’t owe me for it.”

“That night Joseph Millett recorded a remarkable sentence in his journal: ” ‘You can’t tell me how good it made me feel to know that the Lord knew there was such a person as Joseph Millett‘ (Diary of Joseph Millett, holograph, Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City)

*Does the Lord know there is such as person as me and you?

The answer to that depends on me and my actions, you and your actions.

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