Faith Requires Adaptability — D&C 115-120

Come, Follow Me: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
(October 13-19)

Daisy flower growing out of a crack in the asphalt, resembles adaptability and hope.

Three Thoughts from Me:

  • I’ve been working on a project where I rate people’s ability to adapt to unexpected changes and obstacles. The highest rating is demonstrated when the person adjusts quickly and flexibly, even in the most challenging situations, and the lowest rating is when the person shows no ability to adapt. Interestingly, I’ve learned a lot about my own adaptability and my rigidity through this project. I moved four times when I was in the fourth grade. The experience made me an efficient packer, an expert on discerning schoolteachers’ expectations, and a quick friend-maker. But when a disruption changes a well-planned day, my adaptability score plummets! 

  • The words, adapt, adaptability or adaptable are not found in the scriptures or in a search on lds.org. Yet, the adventures of the early Saints could easily be titled, “Learning to Be Adaptable.”  They became experts at changing plans, packing their belongings, and saying goodbye to their beloved land, homes, and many friends who left the church or chose to stay. 

  • Faith in the Savior requires adaptability. “I will go and do” means changing plans, reprioritizing resources, doing the uncomfortable, and sacrificing our will for His. 

    Adapting quickly to unexpected changes and challenges brings growth and confidence, especially when done with God’s help. Adaptability is truly the means and the evidence of letting God prevail in our lives.

Two Thoughts from Others:

  • "Life likes people to be flexible so it can use them for what it seeks to accomplish." – Charlotte Joko Beck (Zen teacher)

  • During meetings held in Samoa, Fiji, and Tahiti, heavy rain had fallen for days before the scheduled outdoor meetings. In each location, the rain stopped just as the meetings began. Later, in Samoa, President Nelson pointed to this as a result of the local members' great faith. In contrast, when President Nelson's tour arrived in Tonga, the rain continued to fall during the outdoor meeting. Despite the steady downpour,13,000 faithful Saints waited patiently and sat through the entire two-hour event. Speaking of this experience, President Nelson said, "We saw great faith at work among each of these islanders—faith to stop the rain and faith to keep going when the rain did not stop". (AI Answer to a Search)

One Question for You:

  • Where in your life do you need to increase your adaptability? 

Doctrine & Covenants 2025Terri Flintthese good thingsComment