Faith won't make problems disappear, Virginia H. Pearce, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, declared at the General Young Women Meeting March 26.

"But," she continued, "I believe as our faith increases, we become more able to not only survive the hard times, but become better because of them. I believe faith is the answer."Faith is the first of the Young Women Values," Sister Pearce noted. She then quoted that value: "I am a daughter of Heavenly Father who loves me, and I will have faith in His eternal plan, which centers in Jesus Christ, my Savior."

Sister Pearce paused in her address as several video segments were shown of young women describing what faith means in their lives. Sister Pearce then summarized what the girls said into the following: "Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live and they are in charge of this world. They know me. They love me. They have a plan for my future. I will obey the commandments, work hard and trust in their plan. Sooner, or later, everything will be OK."

Continuing, Sister Pearce related three stories that exemplify the premise that "sooner or later, everything will be OK."

In the first example, she recounted how Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt to the Red Sea, and then how the hosts of Pharaoh pursued the Israelites. (Ex. 14:12-14.)

The Lord, Sister Pearce said, then parted the Red Sea so the Israelites could go through on dry ground, and returned the waters on the hosts of Pharaoh, drowning them. "And the people . . . believed the Lord, and his servant Moses." (Ex. 14:28-31.)

Next, Sister Pearce told the story of her great-great-grandmother, Mary Goble Pay, who, with her family, joined the Church in England, then immigrated to America. During the journey, said Sister Pearce, "many people died - among them Mary's 2-year-old sister, her 5-year-old brother, and Edith, a baby sister born on the trail."

View Comments

Mary's mother also died. "Well, Mary grew up," Sister Pearce noted. "She said it made her sad to talk about that trip across the plains, but she always remembered her mother's words: `I want to go to Zion while my children are small, so they can be raised in the gospel of Christ. For I know this is the true Church.' "

In the third example, Sister Pearce related her experience of receiving her patriarchal blessing - and her accompanying fears.

"The anticipated day arrived," she recalled. "As (the patriarch) placed his hands on my head, there was a steadiness that vaporized all my uncertainties. I remember the surprise and wonder of that day, but also of every other time I have read that blessing - the startling news: He knows me. Heavenly Father knows me! And He has a plan for my future. I don't know all the details, but if I do my part, it will turn out wonderfully well.

"If God did it for Moses by the Red Sea, for Mary Goble Pay on the plains of America, for me under the hands of a patriarch, He will do it for you!"

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.