Cameron and I spoke in church and I had a really good experience writing my talk. I felt inspired, I felt like I learned a lot about where I am now. I wanted to share just a little bit of my talk, if you'd like to read it:

T h e   S t o r y  o f  A l m a

One promise found in the Book of Mormon that especially means something special to me and that we can all be grateful for is found in Mosiah chapter 27. The chapter begins by explaining the persecutions the church had began to receive due to an increased number of unbelievers. Among the unbelievers were the sons of Mosiah as well as Alma, the son of Alma.

As they were going about rebelling, an Angel appeared and spoke to Alma specifically. One thing he said that I think is so promising is when the angel says, “Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith.”

After the angel speaks and then leaves, Alma is not able to speak or move. So the others he was with carry and bring him to his father. His father gathers all the priests and they begin to pray and fast. After they had fasted and prayed for two days and two nights, Alma stood up and spoke. He was a changed person. He poured his heart out saying, “My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more.” Alma goes on to be a great tool in the hands of the Lord, preaching the gospel and remaining strong in his faith.

P a t i e n c e

Richard G. Scott made it clear by saying, “It is a mistake to assume that every prayer we offer will be answered immediately. Some prayers require considerable effort on our part.”

Patience in prayer made all the difference in my life. My story is similar to that of Alma the younger. Towards the end of high school I had completely gone astray from the gospel. The following years after high school I led myself so far from truth I didn’t have any sense of direction or happiness. I sacrificed my agency when I handed it over to things that I was not capable to overcome. At a certain point I knew I could not continue on in the direction I was headed. My heart began to soften and I knew what was missing from my life.

I remember walking into my Bishop’s office one Sunday and all I said was, “I’m ready” and tears began flowing from his eyes. He told me of all the people who had been praying for me for so long, how hard he had been praying for me. That same day I told my parents and again I was told by them how much they had been praying for me. I told Cameron and he told me how he had prayed his whole mission for me. As I returned to church I cannot count the times I have been told, “I was praying for you.” These prayers were filled with unwavering faith, like that of Alma’s family. And they were answered because of that faith. Like Alma said after he arose, “My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more.”