For Times of Trouble | Jeffrey R Holland | 1980

Trouble will come, but discouragement doesn't have to. If we work now to prepare ourselves through patient and faithful discipleship, we will get through.
This speech was given on March 18, 1980.
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"I would like to be quite personal this morning-personal about you and personal about myself. I have thought about you a great deal over the past few weeks and have prayed to know what might be helpful to you. In doing so I have been drawn back to my own days as a student and some of the challenges I faced then. While such experiences now border on primitive history, fit only for a geology lecture, I’m nevertheless going ahead. I have wondered if some of your experiences and feelings might even now be very much the same.
I come this morning knowing the semester is nearly over and that what suggestions I offer were perhaps needed months ago. Furthermore, the year is nearly over and maybe for some an entire college career. But part of what I want to stress is that every day counts-including these remaining few in the semester-and that you have thousands of days thereafter. I will speak of you as you are right now and will hope it matters as much to the graduating senior as to the first-semester freshman.
I wish to speak today of a problem that is universal and that can, at any given hour, strike anywhere on campus-faculty, staff, administration, and especially students. I believe it is a form of evil. At least I know it can have damaging effects that block our growth, dampen our spirit, diminish our hope, and leave us vulnerable to other more conspicuous evils. I address it here this morning because I know of nothing Satan uses quite so cunningly or cleverly in his work on a young man or woman in your present circumstances. I speak of doubt-especially self-doubt-of discouragement, and of despair.
In doing so I don’t wish to suggest that there aren’t plenty of things in the world to be troubled by. In our lives, individually and collectively, there surely are serious threats to our happiness. I watch an early morning news broadcast while I shave and then read a daily newspaper. That is enough to ruin anyone’s day and by then it’s only 6:30 in the morning. Iran, Afghanistan, inflation, energy, jogging, mass murders, kidnapping, unemployment, floods. With all of this waiting for us we are tempted, as W. C. Fields once said, to “smile first thing in the morning and get it over with.” But my concerns for you today are not the national and international ones. I wish to speak a little more personally of those matters that do not make headlines in the New York Times but that may be important in your personal journal. I’m anxious this morning about your problems with school and love and finances and the future, about your troubles concerning a place in life and the value of your contribution, about your private fears regarding where you are going and whether you think you will ever get there. Against a backdrop of hostages and high prices I wish to speak more personally of you and fortify you, if I am able, against doubt-especially self-doubt-and discouragement and despair. This morning I want to attack double-digit depression.
In doing so, however, I wish at the outset to make a distinction F. Scott Fitzgerald once made, that “trouble has no necessary connection with discouragement-discouragement has a germ of its own, as different from trouble as arthritis is different from a stiff joint” (The Crack-Up, 1945). Troubles we all have, but the “germ” of discouragement, to use Fitzgerald’s word, is not in the trouble, it is in us. Or to be more precise, I believe it is in Satan, the Prince of Darkness, the Father of Lies. And he would have it be in us. It’s frequently a small germ, hardly worth going to the Health Center for, but it will work and it will grow and it will spread. In fact it can become almost a habit, a way of living and thinking, and there the greatest damage is done. Then it takes an increasingly severe toll on our spirit, for it erodes the deepest religious commitments we can make-those of faith, and hope, and charity. We turn inward and look downward, and these greatest of Christlike virtues are damaged or at very least impaired. We become unhappy and soon make others unhappy, and before long Lucifer laughs..."

[@joshmahina2883]

You know what's crazy, is that as many years have passed since this video the advice and wise words are timeless. Even today we can use this. Thank you Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. ❤️

[@tomperry2637]

February 2024 still current 😢

[@marieposey2195]

I totally agree

[@deed2815]

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for Elder Holland.

[@andrewblack38]

Amen

[@austinpassey1110]

Well said, hope he's doing better

[@dwfootzoning]

This is a good man and a good apostle.

[@doraho1667]

I was a student at the Y in 1980 but didn’t hear this talk then - so grateful for technology that I’m able to hear this talk today - 42 years later! thank you so much Elder Holland - I needed to hear this inspiring devotional

[@stikydakitty]

I just had a pretty bad day, and haven't been feeling spiritually good. I LOVE THIS TALK!!

[@amancanbeavictimtoo7994]

I know those days.....I seek out talks like this when my days are horrible. I pray your days will improve and you will find hidden joys and wonders of success even in the midst of those days.

[@jhamm6549]

Elder Holland I must thank you for your testimony of Jesus Christ. I am convinced that the lord put you on this earth specifically for my benefit! For that blessing im am grateful. God Bless you and your family.

[@JoeyFTaylor]

Lol…I thought it was me 😁

[@djw4996]

Jeffery Holland is such an amazing speaker! He always has such wonderful messages and his testimony solidifies and confirms mine all the more every time I listen to him. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true 💖

[@exoticabotanica845]

An appropriate talk for the youth of today.. Thanks Elder Holland you’re truly called of God!!♥️

[@sarabyron2428]

I love this man and how he teaches.

[@lme2270]

What a beautiful and powerful message. So refreshing... No matter how long ago was given. 💗

[@karadanvers6136]

it isnt the class, the teacher, the paper--that hit me like a ton of bricks. it's a recipe for life. thank you Elder Holland :)

[@tlove21]

This man has inspired me for many years. Indeed he has been called by God.

[@lizajoyaranda3173]

2022 and the talk is still as relevant as it is before! "Remember that the fault is not in our stars, it is in ourselves."

[@trevaperes5343]

What an amazing speech! How relevant even today in 2021. Elder Jeffery R Holland is my favorite speaker and I just absolutely love this man. He is truly an Apostle of God!

[@OtherMike5000]

I needed this today. This very morning. This exact moment. This very minute. Thank you for posting this.

[@AlejandroMadrid-tn1gp]

This is such a beautiful talk.

[@lukeslc-xd8ds]

I was there. Wish I could go back to those days.

[@cilkenyon9816]

Beautiful ! How I love that man and his ability to deliver a message. What a honor to be able to hear.

[@marthalopez9347]

By God your speech made me cry. I felt the spirit with me on this night. Gave me the certainty that God is always with me. Thank you

[@RaggedyA]

Perfect advice to keep the oil in one's lamp during times of darkness.

[@amyjo4367]

I love this good man! Thanks BYU, Elder Holland & God Himself!

[@bonnieweston3719]

What an amazing talk. All is his are. Love Elder Holland.

[@SeerOfTime577]

What a great devotional, every bit of it.

[@OURDAILYBREATH]

Thank you Elder Holland

[@novawarren5074]

I love these videos of Apostle Jeffrey R Holland And his beautiful wife ❤️

[@SouthernAngel]

Elder Holland I love you so much. Thank you for being such an amazing man. I'm so grateful for this talk and the Lord guided me here to hear it!

[@amyjo4367]

I love this good man! I thank the Lord for him!

[@sheilahunter8807]

Awesome talk!🙏

[@hildalindberg4430]

Love this man, he's a great example and speaker

[@c.michaelstewart8988]

I haven't listened to this talk in a long time, but it came to mind recently as a soft-spoken instruction to listen to it now. It is definitely what I needed right now

[@handyk1]

What a beautiful talk. ♥️

[@janiecepoush1904]

41 Years Ago: WOW! Always Faithful in seeking the Lord’s Direction. Thank You, for this Message that touched my Heart, so much: Doubt...Self-Doubt...Despair. And that Sense-of-Humor, to balance Life’s Challenges. C.S. Lewis is Great: “We May as well get up in the Morning, & SMILE, & get it over with!” Thank You... Five years of Upheaval, and “The Lord’s Ways,” are always the Peace, that my heart yearns for! Eli Pierce/Loved Him: *Inactive, *Cigar Smoking *Stern Swearer * Pool Playing... What A Joyous Miracle: God, is Gracious, no matter our Real-Life Imperfections! Faith, & Priesthood, & God’s Merciful LOVE! Miracles Are Abundant Blessings, awaiting our Acceptance. All, is Well... And, All is Going to Be Well! 🙏🏻💕🕊🍃

[@gretchenr2307]

Oh how we love to hear President Holland!

[@CGeeThompkins]

Such great words of wisdom!

[@cellucha]

Muito obrigado Elder Holland pelos este maravilhoso discurso e pelos ensinamentos tão profundos e verdadeiros que fortalecem nosso testemunho sobre a veracidade de A Igreja de Jesus dos Santos dos Últimos Dias, da restauração do puro evangelho de Cristo e do papel do profeta Joseph Smith na restauração da Igreja de Jesus Cristo. Amo este evangelho e sou profundamente grato pelo testemunho que obtive do Pai, através do Espírito Santo, sobre a veracidade da Igreja e do livro de Mormon e sei que ele é verdadeiro e sei sem sombras de dúvidas que Jesus Cristo é o Salvador do Mundo e que graças a sua expiação infinita podemos voltar a presença do Pai mediante a nossa fé, obediência a seus mandamentos e realização de todas as ordenanças necessárias para a nossa salvação e de nossa família. Sou grato pelos templos. Sou grato pelos nossos líderes e pelo Profeta, que nos guiam e orientam nossas vidas com suas palavras inspiradas, tais como foram essas deixadas pelo Elder Holland neste maravilhoso discurso. Kanimambo (Thank you in my local language. I'm from Mozambique, Maputo, in a very small branch called the "Beleluane Branch".

[@hyrumgomez3969]

THANK YOU so much. Been having to go to the BYU website to listen to it. And now I get to have it here on KZbin where I’m always at anyway. Plus I get to see the video.

[@natm.7073]

Just wow!

[@guardianangel9517]

Elder Holland KNOWS whats he's speaking about which is why he touches our hearts and lives 💗

[@debbiesdreaming]

I am truly thankful for Elder Holland. This message is so important & needed especially now. Thank you Elder Holland.

[@byuspeeches]

We too are thankful for Elder Holland! Thanks for sharing.

[@brihal6498]

Have to comment about how much I Love this man. He has been a blessing in my life!

[@lisal9198]

So many things that resonated with me. The germ! How timely. Love this man!

[@gwenkadinger4312]

I am so grateful for a God that 💘 s me, and helps me know what is good for me in my life. I am so very grateful that I have a Heavenly Father that has given me an SAVIOR that gives us all the opportunity to partake of the Gospel in our lives in which we have been given from the Sacrifices that our Savior has gone thru for us all to have the opportunity to become part of his kingdom. I thank you my Loving Heavenly Father and am so very very Greatful and filled with Gratitude in my Heart. Thank you Father with every fiber of my Heart and in my Soul. Love your daughter here on this beautiful World that has been created for all of us to live upon to partake of its goodness and the opportunity to be stewards of to take care of from the goodness of my Heart. Eternity Grateful full of GRADITUDE. Sincerely, Sister Kadinger Sioux City, Iowa 1st ward

[@josephshumway]

I really needed this today thank you

[@LoriHone]

He is the best!!! Remember lots wife is my very favorite talk

[@racquelescjose4432]

Amen good to wake up to you

[@applehoneypieph8622]

Very comforting..

[@JennyG.COW5]

Listening to this today and I'm grateful to still learn from these righteous principles. 😊❤️🕊️✝️

[@GrantAmann]

Great talk--Holland's direction on Change in this talk is a classic.

[@milo6080]

amazing talk!

[@2010whiteman]

Timeless

[@danranquist502]

That talk was great, thanks to our speaker and to the production/posting etc..

[@AlejandroMadrid-tn1gp]

Man! I shared this talk with a guy who hopefully will join the church soon, a young sister joined the church, a friend of mine that is inactive and my Elder's Quorum President. And me? Elders Hatt, Ray, Reeves and Jepsin brought me back from LONG inactivity to now a year of activity. I listen to BYU devotionals every morning and it is changing my life. I am so grateful to have them availavable on KZbin.

[@janetsizemore6955]

Now it's Sept. 2023, still such a GREAT talk and SO HELPFUL. Thanks. Love, and Prayers for your loss of Sr. Holland and for your health to return. We❤ you

[@jenfira]

Beautifully spoken. This talk was definitely inspired of the Lord. ❤

[@joereynolds8166]

I cannot think of a more perfect message that fits the challenges of my life at this very time. May God forever bless this much loved prophet of his.

[@mariomirante-dm3zc]

Thank you for your teachings.

[@nomad_wannabe1912]

This is now my favorite talk of his. No one else in the church has touched my soul and given me strength as Elder Holland. Not to say I don’t support all of our dear leaders but he’s my favorite.

[@latter-daysaintbatman2679]

Truly, truly I say unto you all, Elder Holland speaks none other than the truth! The Church is true!

[@catheyboocat-design7175]

I love this man❤❤ I feel Christ’s love every time he speaks❤️❣️❤️❣️

[@joscelynpease6656]

So much truth and wisdom from Elder Holland and others and available to us, how can we doubt or fear when so much has been provided and revealed.

[@sarahfisher9472]

Absolutely!!!

[@gprofessor1]

Wonderful and inspiring 42:50

[@millmuv]

4:00 43 years ago he pretty much stated every topic that's getting the same attention in the world today.

[@lindabassett306]

So grateful this popped up on utube, Thank you!

[@byuspeeches]

You are welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@gingerdurbin2726]

Nice referral to Reaganomics! And yes, they worked!🙂

[@briandm33]

I feel miracles everyday bc of the LDS Church being apart of my life. I only know a Heavenly Father inside my body.

[@whimsicalkrystal]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jamesshannon7526]

If you can not feel the spirit when Elder Holland speaks, then may I suggest you check yours!!

[@rconger384]

3:42. self Doubt, Discouragment, Despair. 4:14 Current events. 5:06 5:28. Fitzgerald : no connection between trouble and discouragement. 8:22. Br Holland paid his own way through college. 10:33. Henry David Thoreau. 11:08 Jesus clothes the field with grass. Why.not you? 12:09 His procrastination of his own term papers with Dean Clark. 15:56. Thomas Edison lost everything and had to begin over at 67 years old. 17:57 Trials of ancient and modern prophets. 22:22. Despair that needs repentance. 23:38 Br Holland can't stand the pitiful lament; " it's just the way I am" 24:05 "I've heard that from too many people who wanted to sin and call it psychology." 26:13 The story of Eli Pierce, an unlikely missionary. 32:35 Robert Frost (Variation from transcript Moroni 7) 32:47 The story of a 1930s Southern Utah boy making a train connection in Chicago. 39:43. Elisha and the chariots of fire. The boy sees. 42:00. "In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil" and you must know that. The armies of heaven beyond the veil are their to assist you. Do not be discouraged. Have faith.

[@juan-tu5yk]

Gracias

[@ladyjade6446]

Amen

[@tacticplanner7188]

Is there any doubt at the good, yea the great words can do?

[@CML95018]

❤

[@ildenete3235]

Oh querido elder Holland É um vídeo bem antigo e ultimamente tenho me concentrado em estudá-los com diligência. Não há espaço para evil ou Satan em meus pensamentos mais, ou em minha vida. Talvez sobre isso esteja apenas um passo de diferença que mantenho em distância ao que esteja acontecendo com o restante do mundo, suficiente para manter a minha paz. Mas porque eu sei sobre a fé que cultivo o alicerce que tenho caminhado, de Cristo e o seu Espírito no evangelho da restauração, prossigo .Gostaria de fazer mais além de manter a minha espiritualidade para o meu Pai Celestial, acrescento também, por isso prossigo. Quando vc pega uma haste flexível se deixa-lá girar ao meio como um bambole na cintura acontece apenas dois giros, mas se além do bambole, girar em volta de si são três giros a mais em movimentos simultaneamente ou seja mais velocidade em ação. Muito mais rápido.

[@johncox3541]

After all these years, Elder Holland is still waiting for someone to take mind of the Nations debts.

[@MusicMormy16]

Is this available anywhere in Spanish? I’d love to share it with my ward in Guatemala.

[@byuspeeches]

We are just starting a KZbin Spanish page and website. speeches.byu.edu/spa

[@ChInoZi19]

🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@dallinhaymore7097]

Confidence

[@hijadedios4757]

Perdon bendiciones para ustedes lo Dise hija de Jehova y miembras de la iglesia de Jesús de los Santos de los ET

[@johnbennion3191]

Thanks for the pick me up this morning. I was a student at BYU and have always been buoyed up by your messages. I take hope I'm only 61.

[@RyanDanger1776]

15:45 Thomas Edison story