Study Guide for "Finding Refuge from the Storms of Life"

In this talk, Elder Ricardo P. Giménez uses his experiences as a firefighter in Chile to illustrate the unexpected challenges and storms that we all face in life. He emphasizes the importance of relying on Jesus Christ and His Atonement as our refuge during these trials, and encourages us to have faith in Him, even when we do not understand why certain things are happening to us.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What does Elder Giménez mean by "the storms of life"?
How can Jesus Christ and His Atonement serve as our refuge during these storms?
What role does faith play in enduring trials and challenges?
How does Elder Giménez use his experiences as a firefighter to illustrate his points?
Why is it important to believe in Jesus Christ and His teachings?

Topics

Understanding the Storms of Life

Elder Giménez discusses the various unexpected challenges and trials, or "storms," that we all face in life. These can include physical, mental, family, and employment challenges, natural disasters, and other life or death situations.

Although our lives may at times be relatively smooth, the time will come for each of us when we will face unexpected challenges and storms that will push the limits of our ability to endure.

What kinds of "storms" have you faced in your own life?
How have these challenges tested your ability to endure?
How can you prepare yourself for future "storms"?
What can you do to strengthen your ability to endure these trials?

Finding Refuge in Jesus Christ and His Atonement

Elder Giménez emphasizes that the only refuge from the storms of life is Jesus Christ and His Atonement. He encourages us to have faith in Christ and to rely on Him during our trials.

There is only one refuge, and it is the same for all types of storms. This single refuge provided by our Heavenly Father is our Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

In order to enjoy the refuge that Jesus Christ and His Atonement offer, we must have faith in Him—a faith that will allow us to rise above all the pains of a limited, earthly perspective.

What does it mean to find refuge in Jesus Christ and His Atonement?
How can having faith in Christ help us during our trials?
How have you found refuge in Christ during your own trials?
What can you do to strengthen your faith in Him?

Believing in Jesus Christ and His Teachings

Elder Giménez discusses the importance of not just believing in Jesus Christ, but also believing His teachings and doing what He asks of us. He emphasizes that Christ understands our trials and sorrows, and that He can help us find joy even in the midst of our storms.

Although many people indeed believe in Jesus Christ, the key question is whether we believe Him and whether we believe the things that He teaches us and asks us to do.

President Russell M. Nelson taught that "Saints can be happy under every circumstance. … When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation … and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy."

What does it mean to believe in Jesus Christ and His teachings?
How can focusing on Christ and His gospel help us find joy during our trials?
How have you experienced joy during your trials by focusing on Christ and His gospel?
What can you do to better believe in and follow Christ's teachings?

Enduring the Storms of Life with Faith

Elder Giménez encourages us to endure our trials with faith in Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that if we trust in God, we will be supported in our trials and lifted up at the last day.

As we face the storms of life, I know that if we make our best effort and rely upon Jesus Christ and His Atonement as our refuge, we will be blessed with the relief, comfort, strength, temperance, and peace that we are seeking, with certainty in our hearts that at the end of our time here on earth, we will hear the words of the Master: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: … enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

What does it mean to endure our trials with faith?
How can doing so bring us relief, comfort, strength, temperance, and peace?
How have you been able to endure your trials with faith?
What can you do to strengthen your faith and reliance on Christ during your trials?

Invitation to Find Refuge in Christ

Elder Giménez extends an invitation to all to come to Jesus Christ and find the refuge they are seeking. He encourages us to help others find this refuge and to stay with Christ, who can help us resist the storms of life.

I invite you to come and see that He can lighten your burdens and be the refuge you are seeking. Come and help others find the refuge that they so yearn for. Come and stay with us in this refuge, which will help you resist the storms of life.

What does it mean to come to Christ and find refuge in Him?
How can we help others find this refuge?
How have you experienced Christ as your refuge?
What can you do to help others find refuge in Him?