God Did Not Put Us Here to Fail | Jon M. Huntsman Sr. | 2009

Jon M. Huntsman Sr. speaks of the need to be optimistic and of how following the gospel of Jesus Christ will lead us to happiness.
Jon M. Huntsman, Sr., was a businessman, philanthropist, and Area Seventy in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this devotional address was given on 10 November 2009.
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"Many of us here today are either going through one of the valleys of life or will someday experience one of these challenges or moments of adversity. Remember that adversity determines our character. During times of trial and tribulation, I often think of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the many adversities that afflicted his life. The Lord brought peace unto his heart during one of these times when He stated, “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment” (D&C 121:7).
It is always interesting to observe how people react during times of crisis. Indeed, our very own character is formed by the lessons of trial and challenge. Character, in turn, emerges within each of us in our hearts and minds to establish our own personal set of standards-or, as the outside world would refer to it, our personal integrity. Integrity is critical to our lives-and to our dreams of achievement. We must remember that without integrity nothing else matters and that with integrity nothing else matters. Thus personal integrity, shaped and fashioned and molded to a great extent by adversity and personal trials, determines the person or individual we represent to others.
Again, we must each remember that God did not put us on this earth to fail. We are His children. We are here to succeed. The obstacles placed before us will be many, and in certain cases we may falter or even fail. I love the scripture that states, “He who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more” (D&C 58:42).
I often recall the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The Atonement, of course, is the entire purpose for the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It provides a means for eternal life. But there is another purpose as well. The Savior’s suffering and struggles in the Garden of Gethsemane and His ultimate Atonement allows each of us to heal from the sins or afflictions of which I spoke earlier. Through the Lord Jesus Christ we don’t have to carry guilt over our shoulders as if it were a 50-pound bag of rocks. We can and should repent and move on. The Lord has provided the way for us to heal and then use our adversities to great advantage in the future. Shakespeare said it best when he simply stated, “Sweet are the uses of adversity.”4 As we overcome many imposed limitations or challenges, the door is open for us to do anything in life that is honorable and good. We can follow our dreams and reach the stars and make a big difference in the lives of many.
When I started our company 40 years ago, I had no money. I had worked diligently as a young man to help my family make it through life financially. Although a scholarship had been awarded to me to attend one of America’s most prestigious universities, I worked through college to pay for those extra costs that scholarships don’t cover. Then for several years after graduation I worked for a small company to gain experience and wisdom. I went to graduate school at night and received a master of business administration while having young children at home and serving in a bishopric. Thus, after much preparation, when I decided to form my own company and asked the banks for a loan but was rejected, I said to myself, “No is only the beginning of the conversation.” Filled with confidence, I returned many times to the banker and finally wore him down. He granted me a meager loan, and I began a small business. Step-by-step and acquisition-by-acquisition we grew and expanded. On many occasions, as we built the business, various bankers, attorneys, and accountants would tell me it was impossible to proceed, but I forged ahead because I genuinely believed in myself and was adamant that no one else was going to determine my own personal destiny. And no one else but you will determine your personal destiny." -Jon M. Huntsman Sr.

[@bensjostrom8197]

I love his talk it has a lot in it that Heavenly Father also tells me in my Patriarchal Blessing. I love the leader of the church I Trust all of them. They really help me to listen to them since I can't talk with my parents now physically. I miss them. These men and women called in the church who speak to us have really helped me. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.

[@ernestopaulino5268]

Wowww! “Be true in the dark and humble in the spotlight” I needed to hear this today 🙏🏽

[@levagasu5489]

Always love this talk

[@touie1404]

Why am I just hearing this talk now?? I needed this 20 years ago.. but timing, faith in the Lord’s timing is everything!! #grateful

[@MrGreenoreo]

This is an excellent speech. Integrity is important, it's what builds the strongest bridges of trust. I'm very encouraged to pursue my dreams after this talk.

[@solangeguerrero7090]

Same here!

[@coraluz3247]

If I could be a fraction of this man..

[@micahbode]

You already are!

[@micahbode]

Most inspiring talk I have ever heard in my entire life.

[@noelzydee2636]

Very much needed when my mind is clouded from the frustrations of Maths :)

[@redneckgirl3326]

Algebra is the only class keeping me from my college degree. But it's been doing it for 30 years. I finally started praying that Heavenly Father will remove my stumbling block with it. I plan to try it again this summer. Sad that a 3.75 GPA student can be tested so much by one class.

[@HighAltitudeInvesting]

Thank you! 🙃

[@ytsur549]

I needed this one this morning.

[@makatlehomoorosi2461]

I listen to this talk over and over again,....!!!!!!#Inspired

[@lindadevore9379]

I love this talk by Brother Jon Huntsman, Sr.

[@bonnieasheim9667]

indeed best talk and what a remarkable man I completely admire and look up to.

[@LudvigLagerfors]

Very Good speak, i Will remember it, in my soul,tank you

[@reneesmith5619]

What a great talk,by a man of so much integrity.

[@mindabiboso78]

Thank you such a blessings to hear from Pr es Huntsman,such a wonderful message

[@gaylebang7310]

I am so impressed with his message. He also talked about his great great grandfather Parly P. Pratt.,who is my relative.

[@mikemailei4491]

Integrity. Thank you Mr. Huntsman for this great advice.

[@veeswrldd]

GREAT TALK! Thank you

[@byuspeeches]

Thanks for watching, Veolaha!

[@ELCAPATAZ]

What an amazing man and message. Thank you!

[@melindamcdonald5305]

I really needed to hear this talk!!.. thank you brother!!

[@byuspeeches]

Thanks for watching!

[@richcountyratrodsjrod2329]

Glorious talk!!

[@chaLUVmu]

This is amazing, thanks for sharing!

[@asmrcherisvarietyshow1878]

Thank you for posting this, I love it.

[@byuspeeches]

You are welcome!

[@steph49391]

Hey that’s my mission presidents dad! I love it!

[@Chayixavisari]

I would have love to meet you! really learn so much from your talk

[@dallincandland]

Sheeeesh this would have been great to listen to a year ago lol. Better late than never.

[@violetcera466]

❤❤

[@jenniejennie3884]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@ZeyaniRSChrisanna]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@chinesejohn812]

He is a great man but I wrote a letter to the editor when he didn’t stand up for freedom in Taiwan

[@ildenete3235]

é interessante como aprender a ter metas e querer que tudo aconteça para o crescimento de cada um. Se foi um teste, espero nunca perder o lado bom do meu caráter e na verdade queria ficar apenas com o lado bom, o ruim do ser humano nem existir. Acho que mudando para a próxima página iremos saber, como prosseguir o plano de Deus com o Pai Celestial

[@allclassallthetime4739]

I’ve had to overcome every adversity possible to go forward with my education. I undertook a finance business class that had me in doubts for half a year making me take a two month break, I get back am confident and another setback, a missing camera component- it caused me much frustration for a week and I’m going to attemp to pass today. I’m worried I’ll fail because of the camera being that final straw. I had adhd turned up, forgetting all kinds of things and I’m afraid I’m just going to fail this and drop out. If I fail I give up, and I will continue a self destructive path because I will just be discouraged anyway and I’m not meant to succeed. I get this far to just lose and I need to know if that’s really what this life is.

[@Sablespartan]

How did things turn out for you?

[@jacobmatuauto3120]

❤️👍🙏

[@briandm33]

This discussion is about doubt. You choose to create faith through the Love that you feel for all 3 things the Savior Heavenly Father and the Spirit. Faith starts by realizing how much the Heavenly Father is in your life blessing you. This realization grows within your mind bc he creates such a comfort zone for you to feel through his loveing spirit for you bc you are keeping his commandments and walking upright before him. Doubt is only casted upon a fear of something. Nobody is going to doubt something until they fear what it is. The Heavenly Father is the guide for you to realize his presense within you. Since becoming an LDS member back in 1994 I have felt this complete oneness with the Heavenly Father being inside my body. This oneness has created such a bond between us that I never fear anything in my life no matter how strong the sin or situation that is thrown at me. I believe that all good things come from the Heavenly Father and you will feel this when you put your full faith in him. He is everything and you realize this just by kneeling in his presense before you go to bed and when you awake and rise to start your day the Master is there waiting for you to feel his Loven for you. Turn unto him and give him everything inside your heart. Fear not. Doubt not. I am always with thee said the Heavenly Father to me in prayer. I am your eternal happiness being forever within you.

[@Quetzalcoatl-Dragon_97]

I need to get away from my family and start my business.

[@gersonrodriguez4329]

Very inspiring, and I am not crying, no need for tears for there are no fears, in the spring.

[@valdouroux]

Best Talk Ever!