What Did My Learning Disability Teach Me about the Savior? More Than I Expected

By Tim Zaugg, as told to Jessica Lawrence

The author lives in Egypt.

Reading and writing were difficult for me, but when I exercised faith in Jesus Christ, God helped me turn my weakness into some of my greatest strengths.

When I was a kid, I really struggled with reading and writing. My mom tried to help and found different resources for me, but I still struggled, no matter how hard I tried. And then we found out that I had a learning disability that made it difficult for me to learn in the way other people do.

I had teachers who told me to just give up on reading and writing and to focus on things I could do. But my parents knew that I loved stories, and they felt it was important to help me. So, instead of dismissing reading and writing, my parents chose to foster my love of stories in different ways—especially through audiobooks and reading and writing exercises.

But I continued to struggle through middle school and high school.

Working with the Lord

When I decided to serve a mission, one of the most difficult things was reading the Book of Mormon and keeping a journal. It took me an entire hour to read just one page of the scriptures. Since I had never been great at writing, I wondered how I would be able to effectively document in my journal all the wonderful experiences I would have as a missionary.

But I kept trying and praying for the Lord’s help.

As time went by, I saw small changes. By the end of my mission, I was able to read better than I ever had in my life. And as I kept attempting to write in my journal, I suddenly learned that I actually enjoyed writing. When I finished my mission, I had filled five journals.

This experience taught me that when we turn to the Lord in our efforts, He can truly bring about miracles in our lives.

Sister Michelle D. Craig, former First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, taught:

“With Christ’s help, we can do all things. The scriptures promise that we will ‘find grace to help in time of need’ [Hebrews 4:16].

“The surprising truth is that our weaknesses can be a blessing when they humble us and turn us to Christ. Discontent becomes divine when we humbly approach Jesus Christ with our want, rather than hold back in self-pity.

“In fact, Jesus’s miracles often begin with a recognition of want, need, failure, or inadequacy. Remember the loaves and the fishes? … The disciples … didn’t have enough food, but they gave what they had to Jesus, and then He provided the miracle.”¹

Weaknesses Can Become Strengths

When I came home from my mission, I wondered if I would be capable of attending university. Because of my learning disability, I hadn’t planned on it when I was younger.

But since Heavenly Father had helped me during my mission, I had confidence that I could attend university and be successful. I went to school and not only became better at reading and writing but also began learning two other languages and wrote a novel. I am now pursuing a PhD in literature and history—something I never would have imagined for myself.

The prophet Jacob taught, “The Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things” (Jacob 4:7).

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles also taught that “the enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement [of Jesus Christ].” ²

Throughout my life, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have helped me take my fear of reading and writing and turn it into one of my greatest joys and strengths. I’ve learned that through our efforts to do better and to repent in moments when we make mistakes or struggle with our weaknesses, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can strengthen us to become more and do more than we ever thought possible.

We Each Have Unique Challenges

Brother Bradley R. Wilcox, Second Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency, has taught:

“The grace of Christ is sufficient—sufficient to cover our debt, sufficient to transform us, and sufficient to help us as long as that transformation process takes. …

“… Don’t quit. Keep trying. Don’t look for escapes and excuses. Look for the Lord and His perfect strength. Don’t search for someone to blame. Search for someone to help you. Seek Christ, and, as you do, I promise you will feel the enabling power we call His amazing grace.”³

It can be easy to feel like giving up when we have tried over and over again to become better at something. From difficulties with sin to simply feeling like we aren’t good enough, the world is full of challenges that can test our strength and dampen our courage. And often, overcoming those challenges takes more time and patience than we expect.

But Jesus Christ can strengthen us and assist us in our unique challenges. I know He can because I have experienced it. It took my whole life up until my mission to finally overcome a major weakness—years and years of struggle and discouragement. But Christ was always there to support me, comfort me, and offer me joy along the journey.

And I know He is there for you too.