In a recent podcast episode with the Church News, Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman gives insight into what the new youth theme, “Walk with Me,” can mean for those who feel overwhelmed or doubtful of their capabilities.
The Answer to Inadequacy
President Freeman points outs that the prophet Enoch felt inadequate in his calling. Moses 6:31 says:
“And when Enoch had heard these words, he bowed himself to the earth, before the Lord, and spake before the Lord, saying: Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?”
President Freeman notes that we may sometimes feel “we ... might not be worthy of great use for the Lord,” just as Enoch feared. But she believes the Lord’s response to Enoch in Moses 6:34 can be a comfort to us:
“I love that the Lord’s answer in that moment isn’t to say, ‘No, you’re not slow of speech’ or ‘I don’t think everybody hates you.’ His answer to him is … that ‘my Spirit is upon you. [So all your words I will justify]; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and [you will] abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.’”
The Lord promises to turn Enoch’s weaknesses into strengths if he will simply choose to walk with Jesus Christ. “That becomes the answer to his lack,” President Freeman says. “That becomes the answer to his doubt. That becomes the answer to everything that he feels inadequate about him.”
She says the Lord’s invitation to each of us is the same: “walk with me, and then together, we will get through this year.”
Walk with Jesus Christ on His Path, Not Yours
Young Men General President Timothy L. Farnes, also on the podcast, emphasizes the part of verse 34 in which Enoch says he is “but a lad.” Enoch is young. He recognizes he doesn’t know everything yet. But the verse just prior says, “Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you.” Even though Enoch feels like he isn’t enough, it’s enough that he chooses Christ.
President Farnes reminds listeners:
“It’s not ‘Christ, walk with me on my path.’ It’s Him inviting us to walk on His. It’s not ‘walk with me’ as much as it is ‘I will walk with Thee.’ And we need to understand that, that He has the way, and as we walk with Him, that’s the way.”
We are promised that when we walk with Jesus Christ, “[we] shalt see” (Moses 6:35). When we walk with Him, “we have greater understanding of the wind and the waves that are around us,” President Farnes shares. “Where before, it’s confusing: ‘Why are these hitting me? Why am I suffering this way?’ And the promise is, as we walk with Him in His way, that we’ll have eyes to see.”
Hear more from President Freeman and President Farnes on the full Church News episode.
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▶ Pres. Christofferson’s powerful promise to youth—that’s true for everyone
▶ Elder Kearon on how to feel peace during moments of anxiety
▶ The Old Testament verse that inspires Mongolia’s first stake president
