Before I reached my 12th birthday, our family had been forced twice to flee our home and start over amid the chaos, fear, and uncertainties caused by war and political division. It was an anxious time for me, but it must have been terrifying for my beloved parents.

I wish I could answer these questions with authority, but I cannot. I am sure that sometime we’ll understand and be reconciled. But for the present we must seek understanding as best we can in the gospel principles.

When I realized that I was spiritually face-blind, that I saw rules but not the face of the Father’s mercy, I knew it wasn’t the Church’s fault. It wasn’t God’s, and it didn’t mean everything was lost; it’s something we all have to learn.

The “word of God” surpasses all other expressions.

In my youth I gained a great respect for [priesthood] power, especially as it was manifest in priesthood blessings.

Brethren, even when we are not “the best of men,” even in our limitations and inadequacy, we can keep making our way in the right direction because of the encouraging teachings set forth by a Divine Father and demonstrated by a Divine Son. With a Heavenly Father’s help we can leave more of a parental legacy than we suppose.

This fickle world often feels tempest tossed, uncertain, sometimes fortunate, and—too often—unfortunate.

One of the great truths of the Restoration is that the heavens are open—that we too can receive light and knowledge from on high.

Higher and holier ministering comes when we pray for “the pure love of Christ” and follow the Spirit.

In the closing hours of the Savior’s ministry, He went to the Mount of Olives into a garden called Gethsemane and invited His disciples to wait.