“Fear Not, I Am with Thee”

Trust God’s Promise of Help During Trials

President Eyring teaches that the promises expressed in “How Firm a Foundation” are true. God does not promise to remove every challenge, but He promises His presence, strength, and help. These assurances become increasingly precious as we and those we love face difficulties.

My message today is that the promises in that hymn are true.

Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous, … omnipotent hand.

It is important to realize that the promise is not for the removal of challenges.

• God’s promises apply across differing circumstances, including sickness, health, poverty, and wealth.
• The Lord promises sustaining help, not a life without hardship.
• President Eyring’s mother exemplifies trust in the Lord amid lifelong medical challenges.
• Remembering God’s presence provides comfort for us and for those we love.

• What difficult situation helps you recognize the difference between receiving strength and having a problem removed?
• When do a hymn, scripture, or remembered promise bring you peace during uncertainty?
• Who exemplifies trust in God while living with an ongoing challenge, and what does that example teach you?
• What experience helps you testify that the Lord remains near even when relief does not come immediately?

Choose Faith as the Savior Helps You Grow

President Eyring explains that mortality provides a test in which we grow in spiritual cleanliness and stature. Heavenly Father gives us a Savior and the freedom to choose faith, obedience, and repentance. Jesus Christ knows each person perfectly and bears our griefs and sorrows.

It is because He knows that we must grow in spiritual cleanliness and stature to be able to live in His presence.

To make that possible, Heavenly Father gave us a Savior and the power to choose for ourselves by faith to keep His commandments and to repent and to come unto Him.

The Savior not only understands and has felt grief, but He has “borne [your] griefs, and carried [your] sorrows.” He knows you perfectly. He knows your heart.

But what is being tested is the same, at all times in our lives and for every person: Will we do whatsoever the Lord our God will command us?

• Mortal testing serves Heavenly Father’s purpose of preparing us to live in His presence.
• The Savior makes repentance and spiritual growth possible.
• Jesus Christ understands our hearts and sorrows perfectly.
• Although trials differ in nature and duration, each person faces the question of choosing to obey God.

• What challenge helps you identify a way you can grow spiritually or draw closer to the Savior?
• When does choosing a commandment over an easier alternative strengthen your faith?
• What experience helps you feel that Jesus Christ understands a sorrow you struggle to explain to others?
• How does repentance help you turn toward Christ during a difficult period?

Follow Promptings to Meet Others’ Needs

President Eyring teaches that the Lord often fulfills His promise of help through other people. His father’s care for his mother illustrates this principle. Prayer and attention to spiritual promptings help disciples recognize whom to serve, and even simple outreach communicates God’s love.

Now, I tell that story to offer evidence that the Lord sends faithful disciples to help Him keep His promise to succor others in their distress.

As President Spencer W. Kimball taught: “God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs.”

As a face or a name has come into your mind, you have reached out to them. Even your simple attention was a comfort.

That you felt prompted to reach out to them was evidence to them that the Lord knew and loved them.

• Faithful disciples participate in fulfilling the Lord’s promises to those in distress.
• Prayer helps us recognize people the Lord invites us to help.
• Small expressions of attention and care provide meaningful comfort.
• Inspired service helps recipients recognize that God knows and loves them.

• What act of kindness helps you recognize God’s awareness of your needs?
• When does someone’s name or face come to mind as you pray, and how do you respond?
• What simple visit, message, or practical help makes a meaningful difference to someone?
• Who demonstrates steady, compassionate caregiving, and what does that example teach you about discipleship?

Encourage Missionaries and Others Who Serve

President Eyring invites members to strengthen missionaries and people serving in Church callings. These servants seek guidance and strength as they care for others. Prayers, kindness, appreciation, and expressions of confidence help reassure them that the Lord knows and supports them.

Wherever they serve, missionaries are being stretched and they are praying for strength.

Your kindness to them, even for a few seconds, or simply a warm smile can be a strengthening of their faith that the Lord is watching over them.

Many of you have prayed regularly for the Lord’s servants in His Church in whatever calling they might hold.

You are an important part of the Lord’s answers to their prayers for assurance.

• Missionaries need encouragement as they face demanding assignments.
• Brief acts of kindness can strengthen another person’s faith.
• Those serving in Church callings pray for direction and strength.
• Sincere appreciation and confidence help servants of the Lord feel supported in their callings.

• What expression of encouragement helps you continue in a calling or service assignment?
• When does a brief interaction with a missionary offer an opportunity to strengthen faith?
• Who serves quietly in your ward or branch, and what specific contribution can you sincerely acknowledge?
• How does praying for someone who serves change the way you support that person?

Bear Burdens and Comfort Others Through the Spirit

President Eyring draws on Alma’s teaching to invite disciples to bear burdens, mourn with others, and offer comfort. Seeking the Holy Ghost’s guidance helps us recognize how to serve those who plead for relief. The Lord gives us the blessing and trust of helping His children along their mortal journey.

Another great opportunity can come when you invite the Holy Ghost to help you find ways to help the Lord comfort those who are pleading for it.

As ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; … willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.

And He offers us the great blessing and trust to help Him keep His promise to succor Heavenly Father’s children in their tests along their mortal journey toward home.

I testify that this is His Church and that He keeps His promises, both through the Holy Spirit and through His loving, true, faithful disciples, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

• Belonging to God’s people includes willingness to share burdens and offer comfort.
• The Holy Ghost guides us in recognizing and responding to others’ needs.
• Helping the Lord comfort His children is both a blessing and a sacred trust.
• God keeps His promises through the Holy Spirit and through loving, faithful disciples.

• When does someone’s willingness to listen or mourn with you provide comfort without solving the problem?
• What experience helps you understand the baptismal commitment to bear another person’s burdens?
• How does seeking the Holy Ghost’s guidance help you respond sensitively to someone in distress?
• What opportunity to comfort another person helps you feel gratitude for the Lord’s trust in you?