James’s talk

This month we’re talking about calling upon the power of God to overcome challenges.

My biggest recent challenge was late last night. My brother, Daniel, didn’t feel well. He was supposed to give a talk today, but now I’m up here instead.

For those who don’t know me, my name is James Ball. I love the outdoors and in the winter I love to ski.

My mom’s favorite thing to say on the ski hill is: “If you’re not falling, you’re not pushing yourself.”

In my experience with skiing, you can’t get better without falling.

Just yesterday my brother and I went off some jumps and some of our skis came off when we landed. It took us a while to get going again.

From the beginner to the expert skier, everyone makes mistakes and falls.

Sometimes when we fall, we hop back up and keep going.

Sometimes we get stuck in branches or lose a ski in deep powder.

Some of the more serious injuries require ski patrol to sled the skier down the mountain and take them to the hospital.

Just like with skiing, we all make mistakes. Some of them are little ones that we can work on by ourselves. Some require the help of our family and loved ones. And sometimes we need to go to the bishop. Those are all ways to help us turn to the healing power of God’s grace and get back on our feet.

Elder Holland said: “the Lord blesses those who want to improve, who accept the need for commandments and try to keep them. If you stumble in that pursuit, so does everyone.

The Savior is there to help you keep going.”

One of my favorite stories in the Book of Mormon is the 2,000 stripling warriors. In the story none of the young men were killed. But every single one was injured. In Alma 57:25 it says: “not one soul of them did perish; yea, and neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds.”  In life, we receive many wounds. None of us goes through life without challenges and battle scars. That’s why we have a savior who can help us WHEN we make mistakes. When we have challenges we can turn to him in prayer.

I know God lives and loves us. He has given us loved ones to help us in our challenges and weaknesses. He doesn’t expect perfection, he just wants us to try. He has helped me in my life and I know he will continue to help me.