Elder Edward B. Rowe, a general authority seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, testified in his devotional address to Brigham Young University students about overcoming trials through the power of covenants.
He began by talking about the “what ifs” everyone faces as they start moving through new phases of life. While new experiences can be scary, Elder Rowe shared that the key to trusting the Lord is confidence in our covenants with Him.
“It’s easy to look for confidence in all the wrong places. If our confidence is based on what we believe others think of us… it will be based on things we ultimately cannot fully control,” Elder Rowe acknowledged.
He referenced President Russell M. Nelson’s words when he prescribed adopting a different kind of confidence: the kind that is instilled in us by God when we make covenants with Him.
This was illustrated with a rock-climbing analogy. The pull of gravity that climbers experience is comparable to the adversity people face. Inevitable slips and falls while climbing represent the pitfalls they experience during trials. The climbing anchors that are drilled into the wall of the rock are covenants that keep people connected to the Lord, who is the rock. Free climbing without anchors could lead to a dangerous fall.
Elder Rowe emphasized that no matter what people face in life or how many times they fall, they can rest assured that the covenants they make will bind them to the Lord and He will give them the strength necessary to keep climbing.
Elder Rowe also shared his personal experience as a BYU football player. At the very beginning of his sophomore year, he was injured and unable to continue playing. During that time, Elder Rowe started studying Russian on a whim, which led him to moving to Russia temporarily.
“Had I not followed spiritual promptings and stepped away from football into the unknown, at times dangling with no visible holds, I never would have gone to Russia,” Elder Rowe admitted.
In Russia Elder Rowe lived with a native man who often mocked him for his unfamiliar values and morals. As Elder Rowe continued to stay true to his covenants, he saw his roommate experience a change of heart towards the way Elder Rowe lived his life.
“Being true to my covenants and clinging to the Rock, through life’s challenges and disappointments, made these things possible.”
Through quoted hymns and scriptures, he testified that it is possible to trust in the Lord and remain anchored to Him through faith, covenant commitment and confidence in His Atonement.
Elder Rowe concluded his address with this powerful invitation: “Strive to develop unshaken trust in and love for Jesus Christ. If you live your covenants as best you can, keeping His commandments and repenting as often as needed, you will come to know Him. Your confidence will be born of the Spirit — and it will grow.”
