"Trust is a must!"

August 07, 2023

"Trust is a must!"

Hello Everyone! This last week was ROUGH! But like I said last week, we gotta have those rough weeks to really enjoy the good ones! And, on the bright side, it's a week down. That is a hill that I have climbed. And although I am staring another hill straight in the face, I'm grateful I just climbed this last one so I know I can do it again.

One of my favorite movies is Get Smart with Steve Carrell. It's a secret agent movie and is absolutely hilarious! At one point, Steve Carell's character says, "Trust is a must, that's what Agent 23 says." Agent 23 is Dwayne Johnson, and Steve Carrell's character really looks up to him (and in real life he does too because Steve is a short guy). So whenever I hear the word trust, I always think of that quote. Trust is a must.

I've always struggled with trust issues haha. Honesty has always been a huge priority for me, in friendships, family, school, work, etc. I have always hoped that people are 100% honest with me and I try to always be 100% honest with them. When you do this, it creates a really strong bond, making that relationship all the more special, strong, and important. Long story short, I value trust. It really really hurts to feel like your trust has been violated. I'm sure we can all probably think of an example, whether it was something big or small (I can think of both). As I've been going through this really hard time, with hurt feelings, a little betrayed, sadness, anger, and all the steps in the grieving process, I have thought about this quote, "Trust is a must." I'm pretty scared to open myself up to someone, to let someone completely come into my life. I know there are certain people that can relate to that. It's scary! Today I wasn't going to write a weekly email because I thought I didn't want to make everyone who reads this sad, and I didn't really have much positive to write. But today, after a good solid cry talking to my Heavenly Father, I sort of had this feeling of, "Trust is a must." I felt like I just needed to trust Heavenly Father.

In 2nd Nephi, we read about Nephi struggling a little bit. He's having an "off moment," if you will. Goodness, can't we all sometimes relate to that? Nephi says, "And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth..." Goodness, here is this prophet, who has done so much, but he right now has his own personal battles he is fighting and these are the feelings he has. I am so grateful he said this. I have felt just the exact same way, where it feels like my heart has been flipped inside out. But then Nephi goes on to say, "Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted. MY GOD hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep." I love this response! He knows who he has trusted! Nephi reflects upon the times where he has seen the hand of the Lord, no doubt. He recalls in the past where he was in the wilderness. I'm sure he thought of the time where the Lord helped him find food for his family after his bow had broken. He thinks about when he was on the sea and his brothers had tied him up and they were in storms about to be swallowed up. But right before being buried in the sea, he was released. Nephi reflects back and realizes in whom he has put his trust. After thinking a second, Nephi continues to write and says, "O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh." He knows where his trust needs to go.

I feel like in my life, I have always sort of trusted in the Lord... but it really helped me to also have my trust in someone right there physically next to me. And I don't think that's really a bad thing; it just matters where our priorities lie. I have put my trust in the arms of certain people in my life, and some of those people have kept it to this day, and I am so grateful for the trust and bond we have. I'm grateful for my parents, who I trust with everything. I am grateful for my best buddy Sean, who is always loyal and would do anything to put a smile on my face. I put my trust in my amazing siblings, who love me unconditionally. I put trust in the Prophet, etc. But there have been other times where I have put all of my trust in someone and I have been really hurt. Those I don't need to mention, but it stings. However, what Nephi shows us here is that God is always loyal to his promises. He is with us till the very end. He won't let us down. Trust is a must, especially when it comes to God.

I am still learning how to do this, and if you have tips, scriptures, books, literally any resource that could help me, PLEASE reach out! I know that the Lord is my strength. It's upon HIS rock that we are safe from the storms. Sure, we will still have the storms, maybe a window gets smashed, maybe we get a little leak in the ceiling, or something like that. But if our foundation is firm, our house won't topple over. And if our window gets smashed, the Lord will be right there, ready to help us repair it. And He will help us make it even stronger!

I am so grateful for all of you amazing people who have reached out and helped me during this time. I know that each of the small happy moments are all gifts from God. I am grateful to learn how to put my trust in the Lord. It has been a painful process, but I am here none the less and I am eager to learn how to fully trust in the Lord, especially when we're in the middle of storms.

I love you all and I hope you have an amazing week! Thank you once again for all the Angels (all of you) who have reached out and cheered me on! I am so very very grateful!

Sincerely,
Elder Steadman (司长老)

P.S. on Facebook and Instagram I am doing a 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge. Today was day #6. Please show your support by joining in this challenge with me. All you have to do is go on to Facebook or Instagram, say something you're grateful for, and then use the hashtag: #30daysofgratitude
Let's flood our social media with gratitude. I know it's one of the best things to do, especially when you're in a rough spot! Don't worry about starting over, just hop right in. Tomorrow is Day 7! I would love your support! Once again, I love you all!