Ezra Taft Benson on enduring in life through faith in Jesus Christ

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1943, and served as the 13th President of the Church from 1985 until his death in 1994 at age 94.

"The fundamental principle of our religion is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Why is it expedient that we center our confidence, our hope, and our trust in one solitary figure? Why is faith in Him so necessary to peace of mind in this life and hope in the world to come?

"Our answers to these questions determine whether we face the future with courage, hope, and optimism or with apprehension, anxiety, and pessimism.

"My message and testimony is this: Only Jesus Christ is uniquely qualified to provide that hope, that confidence, and that strength we need to overcome the world and rise above our human failings. To do so, we must place our faith in Him and live by His laws and teachings."

- Ezra Taft Benson, "Jesus Christ: Our Savior and Redeemer," Ensign, June 1990, 2
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President Benson asks a vital question: why is faith in Jesus Christ so important to us in this life, and in the life to come? The answer to that question, he says, influences how we view and approach our life and the challenges that arise. It's the difference between "courage, hope, and optimism" and "apprehension, anxiety, and pessimism." Quite a contrast!

So that's the answer to the question: Jesus alone can provide us with the hope and strength that life demands. We must learn to draw on His strength through faith in Him.