Digital Only: Young Adults
3 Lessons to Remember When You Feel Overwhelmed by Your Calling
Three young single adults share their perspectives on serving in the Church.
Being a young adult is exciting, but it can also be hard. This period of our lives is filled with many opportunities and chances for growth, but we may experience challenges and feelings of fear and inadequacy as well.
We may even feel these emotions as we serve in the Church. But the Lord needs us young adults, as seen in the recent policy changes announced just before the April 2021 general conference, which make it possible for single members of the Church to serve in bishoprics, on high councils, and as organization presidents and counselors.1 As President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, expressed: “We need you! We need your voices, talents, skills, goodness, and righteousness.”2
Below are the testimonies of three young single adults who were called to serve in a stake Relief Society presidency. They share how they turned to the Lord when they felt inadequate in their new callings.
1. The Savior Needs All Who Are Willing
If I’ve learned anything in my callings as a young adult, it is that Jesus Christ needs everyone in the work of gathering Israel, and if you have the desire to serve Him, you are called to the work.
I know that just as President Russell M. Nelson testified, the Lord is saying to each of us: “We need you! We ‘need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your voices.’ We simply cannot gather Israel without you.”3
It’s true! The Savior needs women and men, young adults, children, older adults, and all who are eager and willing to give their time, talents, and life in serving Him. Choosing to participate in the great work of gathering Israel has given me wings!
Serving in a stake leadership capacity as a young adult isn’t about giving me a stepping-stone to prepare me to attend a family ward; it’s about growing in the gospel right now.
For us as young adults, this time of life is often referred to as our time of great decision-making. God’s vision for my life has become clearer as I have magnified my callings. My pathway is bright, and I can move forward in faith knowing that I am a child of heavenly parents and that I am loved and needed.
Maddie Hall, Utah, USA
2. The Lord Knows Our Divine Potential
The Spirit has affirmed to me that “if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work” (Doctrine and Covenants 4:3). The Lord knows our divine potential and our individual capacity. At times the Lord asks us to serve in ways that increase our capacity and stretch our talents, but He never asks of us more than we can give with His help. No matter how difficult our callings and assignments may seem, we can do all things through Christ (see Philippians 4:13).
During our setting apart, each one of us expressed how we felt intimidated by our new calling. I will never forget how our stake president looked at each of us and simply stated, “It’s OK to feel humbled in your new callings.”
I am beginning to understand that the Lord often calls us to serve outside our comfort zones in order to give us an opportunity to grow. From this experience, I have come to know that the Lord sees more in me than I see in myself. He sees my potential and who I can become if I am willing to serve. I know that each of us can receive that vision of ourselves as we humbly turn to the Lord in faith.
I am truly humbled by this opportunity. I know we are each called to serve in different capacities in this life, and no calling is insignificant to the Lord. Every calling is an opportunity to further the Lord’s work. We never need to doubt ourselves or the Lord, for as President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) said, “Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.”4
Rachel Clark, Utah, USA
3. All the Lord Requires Is a Willing Heart and Mind
When I was called to the stake Relief Society presidency, I suddenly had a recollection of all my past sins and mistakes, and I felt like all my weaknesses were being magnified. I felt like I couldn’t possibly give trainings or be an example to others.
It was no coincidence that the Come, Follow Me lesson for that week taught about forgiveness and how the Lord requires a willing heart and mind. When I read the words in Doctrine and Covenants 64:2–4, I felt like the Lord was speaking directly to me. I thought: “He forgives me and is giving me a call to serve. I need to have a willing heart and mind and forget my fears. He will help me with the rest.”
I have always been drawn to the Apostle Peter. I love how he was humble enough to go from being a stern, impulsive man of many weaknesses to one of the Savior’s dearest friends and disciples. Peter’s life and discipleship can serve as a blueprint for each of us. A transformation like his is possible for everyone, but these changes didn’t happen by chance.
As young adults, we’re asked to do many things. We have our Church callings and ministering assignments. We juggle work, school, dating, finances, and more. It can be daunting, and we can’t possibly do it alone. But the Lord can help us balance it all as we follow Him. The same thing that happened to Peter can happen to all of us as we rise up, in whatever capacity we are called, to be His disciples.
Casey Robertson, Utah, USA