Best Days and Worst Days

Trust God as mortality brings both best days and worst days

President Freeman begins by describing the sharp contrast between joyful wedding planning and the painful news that her husband’s cancer had returned. She teaches that this is the nature of mortality: it is a proving ground designed for growth. God allows mortality to do its work in us, and that includes both joyful and painful experiences. The way through such days is to walk with Christ and hold fast to eternal truths.

Isn’t it amazing how you can go from best day to worst day in a matter of minutes?

This is mortality. A proving ground. A place designed for growth.

I have learned that God allows mortality to do its work in us—and that includes both best days and worst days.

How do we get through those days? The story of Peter teaches us that strength comes as we walk with Christ and hold fast to His eternal truths.

• How does President Freeman describe the purpose of mortality?
• What does she teach about God’s role in allowing us to experience both best days and worst days?
• According to the talk, where does strength come from during difficult times?
• When have I experienced a sudden change from joy to sorrow or uncertainty?
• How have I seen growth come from difficult experiences in mortality?
• What would it look like for me to walk more closely with Christ during my current circumstances?
• What eternal truth do I need to hold onto right now?

Build testimony through revealed eternal truth

Using Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Christ, President Freeman teaches that spiritual knowledge comes by revelation from the Father. Peter’s experience shows both the power and the limits of a single spiritual moment. Although he testified boldly, he soon misunderstood the Savior’s mission. The lesson is that testimony is not formed all at once; it is built gradually over time through many experiences, including both success and correction.

When Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," Jesus responded, "Blessed art thou, Simon … : … flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."

That day must have felt like a best day. The Spirit confirmed an eternal truth, and Peter courageously bore testimony of it.

Peter had good intentions—he didn’t want the Savior to die—but he misunderstood God’s plan for His Son.

From Peter’s story we learn that our understanding of eternal truth is not forged in a single moment—testimony is built over time, day after day, both best days and worst.

• What eternal truth did Peter testify of in Caesarea Philippi?
• How did Jesus say Peter received that knowledge?
• What mistake did Peter make shortly after bearing his testimony?
• What does this story teach about how testimony develops?
• How have I received spiritual confirmation that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?
• When have I learned that good intentions are not the same as fully understanding God’s will?
• How is my testimony being built day after day?
• What can I do to seek revelation from the Father more consistently?

Accept the Savior’s invitations and trust His nearness

President Freeman uses Peter walking on the water to show that the Lord’s invitations often stretch us. Peter responded to Christ’s invitation and did something miraculous, but then fear caused him to begin sinking. The key truth is that Jesus was not far away when Peter struggled; He was in the water with him, within reach. Likewise, when disciples accept difficult invitations from the Lord, the Savior remains near and ready to help.

Peter cried out, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." And Jesus answered with an invitation: "Come."

So Peter stepped out of the boat. "He walked on the water, to go to Jesus."

Have you ever accepted an invitation from the Lord and then felt unequal to the task?

We all know what it is to doubt, to experience sinking moments.

He wasn’t shouting instructions from the shore or offering advice from the safety of the boat. He was in the water—with Peter. Within reaching distance.

As you accept the Lord’s invitations, on both your best days and your worst, the same will be true for you.

• What invitation did Jesus give Peter in the storm?
• What happened when Peter focused on the wind instead of the Savior?
• What does President Freeman emphasize about where Jesus was during Peter’s struggle?
• How does this story apply to disciples who feel unequal to the Lord’s invitations?
• What invitation from the Lord am I being asked to accept right now?
• When have I felt unequal to something God asked me to do?
• How have I seen that the Savior was near me in a sinking moment?
• What fears or distractions are making it harder for me to move toward Jesus?

Rely on the Lord’s promised blessings after failure

Turning to Peter’s denial of Christ, President Freeman explores one of Peter’s worst days. Yet even in that painful moment, the Savior had already prayed for Peter and promised that his faith would not fail and that he would one day strengthen others. She suggests that the Savior’s look may have been one of enabling strength rather than condemnation. Later, Jesus invited Peter to feed His sheep, showing that failure did not cancel Peter’s future. The Lord’s promises can still be fulfilled in us, even after painful mistakes or losses.

On the night Christ was arrested, Peter denied knowing Him three times, and then the rooster crowed.

I often think about that look.

I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Perhaps that look was not a look of failure but instead a look of enabling strength meant to carry Peter through the worst moments ahead.

On that day the Savior extended another invitation: "Feed my sheep."

Peter’s faith hadn’t failed, and because of his deep love for Jesus Christ, there was still a great work in store for him.

Sometimes we may wonder if the Lord’s promises will truly be fulfilled in us—especially when all seems lost. Especially on our worst days.

Peter’s story reminds us that they will.

• What happened on Peter’s worst day during the Savior’s arrest?
• What promise had Jesus given Peter earlier that day?
• How does President Freeman interpret the Savior’s look toward Peter?
• What later invitation showed that Peter still had work to do?
• What does Peter’s story teach about the Lord’s promises after failure?
• When have I felt that I had failed spiritually or fallen short?
• How does it help me to think of the Savior’s look as one of enabling strength rather than condemnation?
• What promise from the Lord do I need to remember when all seems lost?
• How might the Lord still be inviting me to serve after disappointment or weakness?

See how both best days and worst days shape discipleship

President Freeman teaches that Peter’s life cannot be understood only by his mistakes or only by his triumphs. Both are true, and both were part of his becoming the disciple the Lord needed him to be. His story includes weakness, courage, revelation, priesthood keys, and service. This perspective helps disciples understand that God can use the full range of mortal experience to refine and prepare them for divine purposes.

History could suggest that Peter was a man who tried to stand in the way of the Father’s plan, who nearly drowned because of lack of faith, and who denied knowing the Savior three times—and that would be true.

But it is also true that Peter walked on water, he was the first Apostle to bear witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and he was given priesthood keys to preside over the Lord’s Church.

And maybe it took both the worst days and the best days for Peter to become who the Lord needed him to become.

• What examples does President Freeman give of Peter’s weaknesses?
• What examples does she give of Peter’s faithfulness and divine calling?
• What does she suggest about the role of both best days and worst days in Peter’s development?
• Do I define myself too much by my failures or too much by my successes?
• How might God be using both joyful and painful experiences to shape me?
• What evidence do I see that the Lord is still working with me over time?
• How can I view my life story with more faith and less discouragement?

Draw strength from the truths taught in For the Strength of Youth

President Freeman turns to For the Strength of Youth as a source of strength for hard days, not merely a list of standards. She highlights several truths from the guide: God’s plan is for us, God communicates with us, Jesus Christ helps us, walking in God’s light leads to better choices, temple ordinances and covenants increase access to God’s blessings, and Jesus Christ brings joy. These teachings provide practical and spiritual help for navigating both sorrow and uncertainty.

I opened my For the Strength of Youth guide, wondering if the eternal truths, invitations, and promised blessings from the guide could really help Greg and me find strength in Christ.

God’s plan is for you." … "He has all power and knows all things. You can trust Him, even when life is hard.

God wants to communicate with you." He knows you. He knows your name. "Pour out your heart to Him. … Be still and listen for His answers.

Jesus Christ will help you." … "When you are worried, afraid, or [struggle] in any way, He will comfort you.

Walk in God’s light." … "You make better choices when you can see things clearly.

"Temple ordinances and covenants give you greater access to God’s blessings," help you navigate your life with divine guidance, increase your companionship with the Spirit and with angels, and enable you to live up to your privileges and draw upon the power of God.

Jesus Christ brings joy." … "You might have a bad day, a bad week, or a bad year. [Just remember,] joy is not the absence of sorrow in your life; [it is] the presence of [Jesus] Christ in your life.

As you spend time in this guide, you will begin to realize that this is not just a guide for standards; this is a guide for strength.

• What truths from For the Strength of Youth does President Freeman emphasize?
• What does the guide teach about trusting God when life is hard?
• What does the guide teach about revelation and prayer?
• How do temple ordinances and covenants bless our lives according to the talk?
• How does the talk define joy?
• Which truth from For the Strength of Youth do I most need right now?
• How can I better pour out my heart to God and listen for His answers?
• What would it mean for me to walk more fully in God’s light this week?
• How have temple ordinances and covenants given me strength and guidance?
• How have I felt the presence of Jesus Christ bring joy even during sorrow?

Look to Jesus Christ as the source of strength and future hope

President Freeman concludes by centering the talk on Jesus Christ. He understands both best days and worst days because He experienced profound suffering, betrayal, and death, yet His story also includes resurrection and victory. Because of Him, sorrow is not the end of the story. He is the source of strength in mortality, and through Him our best days are still ahead.

Because Jesus Christ knows all about best days and worst days: suffering so great that an angel was sent to strengthen Him, the betrayal of a good friend, the cross on Calvary.

But His story also has a garden, a stone rolled away, and an empty tomb.

Because of Him, no matter how bad things are right now, your best days are ahead.

Jesus Christ is our strength.

• How does President Freeman show that Jesus Christ understands both best days and worst days?
• What events from the Savior’s life does she mention to illustrate suffering and triumph?
• Why can disciples have hope that their best days are ahead?
• What final testimony does she bear about Jesus Christ?
• How does the Savior’s own experience help me trust Him more in my trials?
• What does it mean to me personally that my best days are ahead because of Christ?
• How can I rely more fully on Jesus Christ as my strength?
• What experiences have helped me gain a testimony that Jesus Christ is my source of hope and joy?