On Tuesday, December 10th, Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave a campus-wide devotional address titled Finding Peace Amidst Uncertainty. Her address, rooted in scripture and personal experience, underscored the transformative power of faith, covenant-keeping, and spiritual preparation.
Sister Dennis began by sharing her personal transformation from an introverted child overwhelmed by her first sacrament meeting talk to a confident speaker addressing thousands. She testified, “I am a living example of how the Lord can work with us and prepare us over time for the things we were sent here to do, even when we feel weak and simple and unqualified. I’m still an introvert, but because of the experiences the Lord has given me over the years that drew me out of my comfort zone, I now enjoy speaking assignments, even to large audiences like you.”
Central to her message was the story of her and her husband’s mission in Ecuador during the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake of 2016. Guided by revelation through dreams, President and Sister Dennis prepared the missionaries they led for emergencies both temporally and spiritually. Their efforts—72-hour kits, rehearsed plans, and strengthened covenants—resulted in the miraculous safety of all missionaries amidst the great sorrow and disorder that came from the earthquake.
As powerful as their temporal preparation was, Sister Dennis highlighted that the peace and protection the missionaries experienced came chiefly from their covenant relationship with God. She shared poignant testimonies from missionaries who felt the presence of angels and the guiding hand of Our Lord.
Drawing from President Russell M. Nelson’s teachings, Sister Dennis underscored that “there is no limit to the Savior’s capacity to help you.” She echoed President Nelson’s teachings to the Church’s youth to embrace their divine identity as covenant sons and daughters, comparing their time on earth to the final minutes of a championship game, with each of them chosen as part of God’s most noble team.
Sister Dennis also touched on the dangers of fear and uncertainty. She quoted Isaiah 41, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” She cautioned against letting worldly voices drown out divine truths such as those taught by ancient and modern prophets. Instead, she urged students to rely on scripture and prophetic counsel, build their lives on the firm foundation of Christ, and courageously face the future with faith.
Sister Dennis concluded with a stirring testimony that Jesus Christ offers peace even in turmoil. She witnessed that “Jesus Christ is our rod of iron and our sure foundation. With Him, we can go through the mists of darkness and through the earthquakes of life with a peace and a strength that defies logic and understanding, as we allow Him to be our light and our guide. The Lord is my light, and why should I fear? By day and by night, His presence is near.”
Her address left the BYU community with a charge to deepen their covenant relationships, prepare for life’s challenges, and walk forward in faith, armed with the confidence that they are never alone. Her final injunction to the BYU community was to choose Jesus. “I bear witness that the Lord will be your light and your strength in uncertain times if you choose Him. It is your choice.”
Written by: Jacob Fisher
Senior Contributor at the Cougar Chronicle
The Cougar Chronicle is an independent student-run newspaper and is not affiliated with Brigham Young University or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Cover Photo Source: https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2024/2/8/24065591/sister-anette-dennis-relief-society-counselor-tells-missionaries-provo-mtc-you-are-angels/
