You may have first grown to admire Sister Reyna Isabel Aburto, Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, by watching the videosabout her life story released by the Church two years ago. Perhaps you were also moved by her remarks to the sisters in the October 2019 general conference as she testified, “Your struggles do not define you, but they can refine you.” But no matter how much or how little you know about Sister Aburto, you will appreciate some thoughts she shared in a recent discussion with Yahosh Bonner.
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This week, in a Deseret Book LIVE video, Sister Aburto shared a similar message and profound counsel as she spoke to Yahosh Bonner of the Bonner family about becoming steadfast and immovable. She shared one key insight right away: “We are stronger than we think. I think that strength comes from God and our divine nature. And many times, we feel like we cannot go on, but somehow we can receive that strength and that power. And I think that comes from God. It comes from our divine nature.”
Those who are feeling weighed down by challenges may deeply connect with Sister Aburto’s witness and experiences. Even after living through multiple earthquakes, the loss of her father and a sibling, a painful first marriage, and other trials, Sister Aburto has learned to recognize God’s hand every day—even in every moment—of her life. She shared a powerful way to change our perspective: "I just think that we just need to look around us and inside us and see how God is changing us through the experiences that we are having."
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In the video, she also discusses the emotions and realizations that came to her when she chose to share her life story with the world. Watch the video from Deseret Book below to find even more of Sister Aburto’s empowering tips for keeping the right perspective during hardships.