This sacrament talk is inspired by President Susan H. Porter’s General Conference message about finding strength in Jesus Christ through both the best days and the hardest seasons of life. Using simple, relatable language, this LDS talk explores faith, covenants, spiritual growth, trusting God during trials, and how Jesus Christ walks beside us through every storm.
Brothers and sisters,
I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak today. Over the last few weeks, I’ve spent time studying President Susan H. Porter’s General Conference talk, and there was one line that really stayed with me. She said:
“This is a guide for strength.”
I love that phrase because life can feel heavy sometimes. Many of us are carrying worries, stress, heartbreak, uncertainty, exhaustion, or disappointment that other people may not even see. And yet the Savior continues to lovingly remind us that He has not left us alone.
President Porter talked about how life can change from a “best day” to a “worst day” very quickly. She shared how her family was planning their daughter’s wedding and feeling joy and excitement, and then suddenly received difficult news about her husband’s cancer returning.
I think many of us understand that feeling.
Life can change in a moment. One phone call. One diagnosis. One unexpected hardship. One unanswered prayer. One difficult season.
And sometimes we ask:
Why does God allow hard things?
Why does life feel unfair?
Why do faithful people still struggle?
President Porter taught something beautiful. She said mortality is “a proving ground” and “a place designed for growth.” She explained that God allows mortality to do its work in us—and that includes both the best days and the worst days.
I think that’s important to remember because sometimes we assume that if we are faithful enough, life will become easy. But often, discipleship is not about avoiding trials. It is about becoming something through them.
One of the most comforting things in her talk was her teaching about Peter.
Peter had moments of incredible faith. He walked on water. He testified that Jesus was the Christ. He was one of the Savior’s closest disciples.
But Peter also struggled.
He doubted.
He became afraid.
He sank.
He misunderstood things.
He denied knowing Christ.
And yet the Savior never gave up on him.
That gives me so much hope because I think sometimes we define ourselves by our worst moments. We think our mistakes or weaknesses disqualify us from being useful to God.
But President Porter reminded us that maybe it took both Peter’s best days and worst days for him to become who the Lord needed him to become.
I love that thought.
Maybe God is still shaping us too.
Maybe some of the difficult experiences we wish away are actually helping us become more compassionate, more humble, more patient, more faithful, and more Christlike.
Another part of the talk that deeply touched me was when President Porter described Peter stepping out onto the water toward Christ.
At first, Peter walked in faith. But then he saw the storm around him and became afraid.
I think we all have moments like that.
We start with faith.
We feel hopeful.
We try to follow the Savior.
And then life gets overwhelming.
We see the storm instead of the Savior.
We start doubting ourselves.
We feel anxious.
We wonder if we’re enough.
But President Porter said something beautiful about that moment. She pointed out that Jesus was not standing safely in the boat shouting instructions at Peter from far away.
He was in the water with him.
Within reaching distance.
I love that image so much because that is exactly how the Savior works in our lives.
He does not abandon us in our storms.
He walks beside us in them.
Sometimes we pray for God to remove every hard thing immediately, but often the greater miracle is that Christ gives us strength while we walk through it.
That reminds me of Mosiah 24 when the people of Alma were suffering under heavy burdens. The Lord did not remove the trial immediately. Instead, He said:
“Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me… and I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs.”
I love that scripture because sometimes the Savior doesn’t instantly change our circumstances, but He changes us. He strengthens us. He carries us.
President Porter also spoke about covenants and temple blessings. She taught that temple ordinances and covenants give us greater access to God’s blessings.
I think sometimes we view covenants mostly as responsibilities. But covenants are also gifts.
Through covenants, we receive:
guidance,
strength,
peace,
protection,
and God’s power.
That power becomes especially important during difficult seasons.
There are moments when we don’t know what decision to make. Moments when we feel emotionally exhausted. Moments when we feel weak or overwhelmed.
And yet God continues to offer help through Jesus Christ.
President Porter quoted several simple but powerful truths from For the Strength of Youth:
“God’s plan is for you.”
“God wants to communicate with you.”
“Jesus Christ will help you.”
“Walk in God’s light.”
“Jesus Christ brings joy.”
I love how simple those truths are.
Sometimes we overcomplicate the gospel, but the Savior’s invitations are often very simple.
Look to Him.
Pray.
Trust Him.
Keep going.
Stay close to Him.
One phrase from the talk that really stood out to me was:
“Walk in God’s light.”
What does that actually mean?
I think it means choosing to stay close to the Savior even when the world feels dark or confusing.
It means praying even when answers don’t come immediately.
Reading the scriptures even when life is busy.
Choosing faith over fear.
Choosing gratitude over bitterness.
Choosing to trust God even before we understand everything.
As we walk in His light, we begin to see more clearly.
Not perfectly.
But clearly enough to keep taking the next step.
President Porter also testified that Jesus Christ brings joy.
Not the world’s version of joy that depends on circumstances being perfect—but deep, eternal joy found in Him.
I think that’s such an important distinction.
Real joy is not pretending life is easy.
Real joy is knowing we do not face life alone.
The Savior understands grief.
He understands disappointment.
He understands fear and loneliness and sorrow.
And because of Him, hard seasons are never hopeless seasons.
I know there are people here today carrying private struggles. Maybe some are facing uncertainty about the future. Maybe some are grieving. Maybe some feel spiritually tired.
I hope we can remember that Christ is still within reaching distance.
He has not forgotten us.
He has not abandoned us.
And our difficult seasons do not mean we are failing.
Sometimes God’s greatest work happens quietly inside us while we are enduring something hard.
I know Jesus Christ lives.
I know He walks with us through both the best days and the worst days.
I know He strengthens weak people.
I know He gives peace that the world cannot give.
I know He helps us become more than we are on our own.
And I know that as we continue to look to Him, trust Him, and walk in His light, He will guide us safely home.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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