President Dieter F. Uchtdorf on finding divine light and hope in our trials

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (born November 6, 1940) served as a Seventy from 1994-2004, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve.  He has served as second counselor in the First Presidency since 2008.

"There may be some among you who feel darkness encroaching upon you. You may feel burdened by worry, fear, or doubt. To you and to all of us, I repeat a wonderful and certain truth: God’s light is real. It is available to all! It gives life to all things. (See D&C 88:11–13.) It has the power to soften the sting of the deepest wound. It can be a healing balm for the loneliness and sickness of our souls. In the furrows of despair, it can plant the seeds of a brighter hope. It can enlighten the deepest valleys of sorrow. It can illuminate the path before us and lead us through the darkest night into the promise of a new dawn....

"Nevertheless, spiritual light rarely comes to those who merely sit in darkness waiting for someone to flip a switch. It takes an act of faith to open our eyes to the Light of Christ....

"So how do we open our eyes to the hope of God’s light? ...

"Lift up your soul in prayer and explain to your Heavenly Father what you are feeling. … Pour out your heart and express your gratitude. Let Him know of the trials you are facing. Plead with Him in Christ’s name for strength and support. Ask that your ears may be opened, that you may hear His voice."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Hope of God’s Light," Ensign, May 2013, p. 75
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In the midst of a world that sometimes feels like the darkness is "encroaching" or even overwhelming, and the burdens we carry are oppressive, this testimony is needed and powerful: "God’s light is real. It is available to all!" President Uchtdorf reminds us of the power of that light to strengthen and heal, offering eternal hope:

I love the thought that the light rarely comes to us when we're just sitting in our personal darkness waiting for a switch to be turned on, on our behalf. Instead, "It takes an act of faith to open our eyes to the Light of Christ." President Uchtdorf discusses in this talk how we can access that light. His suggestions include the power of sincere and consistent prayer. As we truly ask for God's help, we will find the "strength and support" we desperately need in those times of encroaching darkness.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)