In the Strength of the Lord

On April 13, 2025 Paul and I spoke in sacrament meeting. It was to be our farewell talk before leaving on our mission to Bristol, England. The following day I learned that I likely had cancer.

The topic of my talk was “In The Strength of the Lord.” I thought I knew in what ways I would need the strength of the Lord to serve as a full time missionary.  

At the conclusion of my talk I shared the following quote from Elder David A. Bednar, spoken when he was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -Day Saints.

“I will strive to become what I should and must become. In the strength of the Lord and through His grace, I know that you and I can be blessed to accomplish all things.”

In the days since I gave my talk, I have learned I must depend upon the strength of the Lord to get through each day. I need His strength every morning when I awake and realize cancer is not a bad dream but my reality. I need His strength to put one foot in front of the other to go on a walk. I need His strength to choose optimism and hope over despair. I need His strength to find ways to serve others.  

His strength is real. It is a power I cannot conjure up. I am able to do what feels impossible through the power of Jesus Christ. I will continue to go forward into the unknown relying upon His strength.

I will strive to become what I should and must become…in the strength of the Lord.