Note: This post is the text from a talk I gave to my local church congregation May 24, 2026.
In Proverbs we read, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
It is not always easy to trust with all your heart and not lean to your own understanding, but it is possible. The catch is, you have to do it to improve in it, at least as an adult.
Children seem to have no problem trusting with all their heart and often look to more experienced individuals because they know their own understanding is incomplete.
Perhaps this is why King Benjamin encouraged us to become as little children, and even the Savior said, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 18:3)
Throughout my adult life, I’ve had times when it was easier to trust in the Lord completely and others when I let my own understanding, often accompanied by fear, get in the way.
The first time I lived in China, I lived in Hefei, a small city of a few million people. Before reporting to Hefei and the school where I’d be teaching, I participated in an orientation tour in Beijing with several other new English teachers who would be spreading out across the country. During this weeklong event, we attended a performance. Although I felt sure about being in China, during that performance I received a powerful confirmation that I was supposed to be there.
However, after getting to Hefei, the culture shock was real and hard. I doubted whether I should even be there. So, the first opportunity I got, I went to Hong Kong to visit the temple. This trip didn’t clarify why I was in China, but it did calm my fears, confirmed that it was the right thing for me, and helped me return to Hefei renewed to make it work.
As the year went on, I began to think about what comes next. What should I do after my year in China. I racked my brain and prayed earnestly for direction. Not only was I concerned my about professional direction, but I was also struggling with my attraction. For years, I pled and pled. I bargained and bargained. I asked God to take away my attraction to men. It never happened. With so much time to myself in Hefei, I struggled even more with this while also struggling with what was next in life for me.
Both answers would come during my time in Hefei. The first was a magnificent outpouring of love from my Father in Heaven. When I changed my prayer from asking him to “take it away” to saying that “if this is the way I am I will accept it,” everything changed. No, it didn’t open all the doors, light the path I should take, or help me understand any more about who I am, other than reaffirming that I am beloved son of Heavenly Parents, but it brought peace and calm to my heart and mind on the matter, at least for the time being.
The second answer about what I should do next came more gradually but still clearly that I should stay in China for another year at Anhui University. This was unexpected, but over the next few months I was ready to follow through with it. However, things got in the way including fear and my own understanding, and I returned to the states after completing my year contract. I almost forgot that God directed me to stay in China another year until a year later when I saw that the BYU Young Ambassadors went to China, performed in Hefei, and visited Anhui University. I felt like I got punched in the gut.
God let me know why I should have stayed for another year at Anhui University. As a BYU alumnus and former Young Ambassador, I would have been in a unique position to bring more light to my students whom I could not talk about the church with in anyway. I missed the opportunity and was devastated. I learned my lesson to trust in God and his direction.
A couple of years later while wrapping up my master’s degree in Arizona, I was again pondering next steps for my life. Should I stay in Arizona or go somewhere else? What should I do? I received a distinct and clear impression that it was time for me to return to China. I didn’t know where or what exactly I’d be doing, but I knew I was to go and began making plans. I gave my notice and made arrangements to spend the summer in Utah before returning to the orient.
All of these choices felt right and felt guided by the Spirit. Then, one evening in the temple, I had the distinct impression that I shouldn’t go to Utah after all, but I should stay in Arizona for the summer. It meant I would have to retract my resignation and hope they would keep me and cancel my employment and housing in Utah. It would not be an easy or comfortable thing to do. However, I knew that if this was the Lord’s will then I would do it. I began making plans in my head to make the necessary arrangements. I was humbly submitting my will to His.
I didn’t question why he would want me to stay in Arizona or why I shouldn’t go to Utah, I just knew that’s what he wanted. Throughout the session I was praying for the strength and courage to do what I needed to do with this change of plans. I was prepared to do what he asked, and he was confirming my resolve to follow his direction.
Then, towards the end of the session, I had another distinct impression that it was ok for me to go to Utah or stay in Arizona. Almost as if a voice had spoken right to my heart, I understood it was a test of wills, mine vs. His. I was being tested in that two hours about my willingness to do what God asked. I felt invigorated and extremely loved.
I wanted to burst out in praise and song in the Celestial Room as the words of the hymn, Praise to the Lord, swelled within me. I felt his divine goodness and tender mercy toward me. I was radiant with joy.
I know He lives and guides us on his path. We must be willing to follow that path whither so ever it goes.
At times, though, we see but a step or two ahead and no more, or we may even see no way forward. God makes promises through direct divine inspiration, through patriarchal blessings and other priesthood blessings, through scripture and prophets, and through trusted family, friends, and earthly angels. Sometimes these seem impossible. That’s where we have to trust with all our heart and lean not unto our own understanding.
President Uchtdorf said, “There are times when we have to step into the darkness in faith, confident that God will place solid ground beneath our feet once we do.”
President Packer shared the following exchange between him and Harold B. Lee, “I returned to Elder Lee and told him that I saw no way to move in the direction I was counseled to go. He said, ‘The trouble with you is you want to see the end from the beginning.’ I replied that I would like to see at least a step or two ahead. Then came the lesson of a lifetime: ‘You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you.’ Then he quoted these 18 words from the Book of Mormon: ‘Dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.’” (Ether 12:6)
Returning to Proverbs, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” The next verse provides advice for how to trust with all our heart and lean not to our own understanding: “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
In Doctrine and Covenants 98 we read, “Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks; Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament—the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted. Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord.”
Acknowledge Him. Give thanks in everything. Rejoice evermore. This is what helps me trust in God when the path feels uncertain. With his light and through his navigation, we can see the glorious route to follow. And, when we can’t see the path, we know that as long as we are holding tight to the rod, we will be safe and find our way. We have to be as little children and submit our will to his. We must take that step into the darkness and trust that he will lead the way.
This is my only way forward for everything in my life. For the promised blessings of a companion and family. For the next steps in my business when it seems everyone else is beating me to it, all I can do is trust that the Lord has a plan and that as long as I’m going in the direction he is leading, it will all work out and be for my good.
I acknowledge his hand in my life. I give praise and gratitude to him for everything. I am nothing without God.
Your Heavenly Father loves you and is ready to help you through the darts in the whirlwind. Turn to him and trust in him.
Jesus Christ suffered on your behalf all of your pains, weaknesses, and temptations. He knows you. He loves you. Turn to him and trust in him.
The Holy Ghost lovingly testifies of these and all truths to your heart and mind. He provides direction and revelation to help you on your journey. Listen to him and trust in him.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
