Faith, Diligence, and Patience
Faith, Diligence, and Patience
President Quinn’s Weekly Message
California Santa Rosa Mission
February 10th, 2025
Sister Quinn and I spoke yesterday in the Napa Stake Conference. The theme for the conference was Isaiah 40:31:
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
I am grateful for the opportunity this week to reflect on “waiting upon the Lord” – and to be reminded of the many spiritual lessons and virtues we develop as we trust the Lord’s timing for the blessings we seek. My studies in preparation for my talk took me to Alma 32:
“But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.
“And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.
“Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.”
Notice in the verses above that Alma repeats three times that faith, diligence, and patience are required to build and maintain our testimonies. I am confident Alma purposely repeated these three virtues to help us understand their importance.
We also need faith, diligence, and patience when we wait for answers to prayers. I know many of you pray for blessings that just don’t see to come. We do not know the timing of the Lord’s will in our life. We must learn to trust Him. In a conference talk entitled, Waiting on the Lord (GC, October 2020), Elder Holland asked the question, “when will our burdens in life be lifted?” He provided this answer:
“The answer is “by and by.” And whether that be a short period or a long one is not always ours to say, but by the grace of God, the blessings will come to those who hold fast to the gospel of Jesus Christ. That issue was settled in a very private garden and on a very public hill in Jerusalem long ago.”
I am grateful for Elder Holland’s testimony that the questions and challenges of life are answered through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I testify that this is true! There have been times in my life when the answers to questions or the solutions to challenges did not come at the time or in the way I asked for or expected. At these times, I have striven to exercise faith, diligence, and patience in the Lord’s timing for my blessings. There are blessings I still pray and hope for. I have come to trust my Heavenly Father’s love and wisdom for my life. I pray you will come to trust the Lord’s timing and wisdom in your life.
Love,
President Quinn
(630) 881-4030
