“Fear Not the Future: Act in Faith and Build Upon the Rock of Christ”

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I received this sacred assignment under the direction of the First Presidency, and I am grateful for the privilege of being with you today. 

A personal experience 
I was born into a family with very limited financial resources in Venezuela. When I returned home from my mission, my primary focus, and the focus of my parents, was simply to work. We had bills to pay, medicine to purchase, and food to put on the table. During that period, my country was experiencing severe economic challenges and extraordinarily high inflation. 

Yet amid those circumstances, I felt strongly that the Lord expected me to seek the best education possible, not only to magnify my service in the Church but also to bless my future family. 

One of the invitations my mission president extended to me before I completed my mission was to pursue an education in addition to preparing for an eternal marriage. 

When I returned home, opportunities such as BYU-Pathway Worldwide and the Perpetual Education Fund did not yet exist. Nevertheless, I knew the Lord would provide a way for me to move forward. 

President Dallin H. Oaks taught: 

I love these key words in this statement: Help. Faithfulness. Endurance. 

With the Lord’s help and through our faithfulness and endurance, we will prevail. 

Today I would like to share three principles that can help us move forward with confidence, achieve our righteous goals, and fulfill our divine potential. 

First: Do not be afraid of the future.
The world often encourages uncertainty, skepticism, and fear. You will hear voices that discourage effort, preparation, and faith. Some will suggest that the future is bleak or that your circumstances are too difficult to overcome. 

Do not believe those messages. 

God has prepared a wonderful future for each of His children. While we may not know every detail of what lies ahead, we can trust in Him. As we do our part and move forward with faith, He will direct our path. 

What a remarkable promise. 

The Lord will be with you wherever you go. He will strengthen you when the path seems difficult. He will guide you when the future appears uncertain. He will open doors you cannot yet see. 

Therefore, do not be afraid. Move forward with courage and confidence in the Lord. 

Second: Act with faith in Jesus Christ.
Faith is much more than belief. Faith moves us to action. 

Elder David A. Bednar has often taught the powerful lesson of the children of Israel crossing the Jordan River. The Lord promised that they would cross on dry ground. Yet the waters did not part while they stood safely on the riverbank. 

At times we may be tempted to think, “Once I see the entire path, then I will move forward.” But faith rarely works that way. 

Faith is a principle of action and power. It requires trust in the Savior before the outcome is fully visible. 

There will be moments in your life when you must take a step into the unknown. You may not know exactly how things will work out. You may not have every answer. But if the Lord has invited you to move forward, do so with confidence in Him. 

I promise that as you take those first steps of faith, the Lord will gradually illuminate the path before you. Direction often comes after we demonstrate our willingness to act. 

Prayer is much more than a routine practice or a daily habit. Prayer is a sacred conversation with our Heavenly Father. 

Invite the Lord into your plans. Involve Him in your decisions. Tell Him about your dreams, your goals, your concerns, and your desires. 

Speak with Him sincerely. Then, listen. 

As we pray with real intent, seeking both guidance and strength, we invite heaven’s power into our lives. 

I testify that God knows you personally. He hears your prayers. He understands your struggles. He is aware of your righteous desires. And He will help you as you seek Him in faith. 

A personal spiritual experience
A few months before completing my mission, I began praying earnestly about my future. I wanted to know how I could make the best decisions for my life and fulfill the Lord’s purposes for me. 

One evening, after returning to my apartment, I felt impressed to open the scriptures. My eyes fell upon Doctrine and Covenants 6:33–34: 

As I read those verses, I felt the Spirit confirm an eternal truth: If I wanted the powers of heaven to strengthen and sustain me throughout my life, I needed to build my foundation firmly upon Jesus Christ. 

This same truth is taught beautifully in Helaman 5:12: 

Jesus Christ is our sure foundation. 

He is not merely a source of comfort during life’s storms. He is the rock upon which we must build our entire lives. 

When our faith is centered in Him, trials will come, disappointments will come, and challenges will come. But they will not overcome us, because our foundation is secure. 

Those who build upon the Savior can withstand every storm mortality may bring. 

Conclusion 
As you move forward in your lives, I invite you to remember these three principles: 

1. Do not be afraid of the future. 
2. Act with faith in Jesus Christ. 
3. Offer meaningful prayers.

As you do these things and build your life upon the rock of Jesus Christ, you will receive divine help, strength, direction, and peace.
I testify that Jesus Christ lives. He is our Rock, our Redeemer, our Savior. He is the only name given under heaven whereby we may return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.

I know that our Heavenly Father loves us more than we can fully comprehend. 

I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. 

I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s restored Church upon the earth. 

I know that President Dallin H. Oaks is God’s prophet, seer, and revelator and that he holds the keys necessary to preside over the Church in our day. 

Of these truths I humbly testify, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.