However Long and Hard the Road | Jeffrey R. and Patricia T. Holland

Part of the strength to "hang in there" through hard times comes from some glimpse, however faint and fleeting, of what the victory can be.
Patricia T. Holland: 0:00
Jeffrey R. Holland: 7:33
Hang In and Hang On: 9:42
"Victory-Victory at All Costs": 12:14
Dreams and Visions: 17:17
Joseph Smith's Perseverance: 18:43
The Early Saints; Fulfillment Ahead: 21:46
Determination: 24:54
Symbolic Problem in Our World: Divorce: 26:30
Lesson on Perseverance: 28:39
Jeffrey R. Holland was president of Brigham Young University when this devotional address was given on 18 January 1983.
Read and download the full talk at BYU Speeches website:
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Read more about Jeffrey and Patricia Holland here:
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Read more on overcoming adversity here:
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"Marilyn Funt, who wrote the book Are You Anybody? did so in response to people’s asking in the Hollywood swirl if she “was anybody.” In answer she said:
'I used to think being somebody meant public recognition of one’s efforts. Wrong. I now know that the feeling of being somebody comes from hard work and self-growth. Being in control of my life makes me answer that question with a strong “Yes!”' [New York: Pinacle Books, 1981]
If it didn’t seem unbecoming of the president’s wife in full view of the television audience, I would like to just shout at you to see in yourself what I see in you. The only limitations you have are those you set on yourselves. All of the tools and texts are here, right at your hand. But sometimes we cannot recognize the real purpose and significance of the moment which is ours to experience. That’s because too many of us learn only through our heads and not through our hearts!
A common man or woman will hear only the commonplace, but a man or a women connected to the powers of heaven will learn to be an inheritor of those powers." - Sister Holland
"I am asking you this morning not to give up “for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.” That “great work” is you-your life, your future, the very fulfillment of your dreams. That “great work” is what, with effort and patience and God’s help, you can become. When days are difficult or problems seem unending, I plead with you to stay in the harness and keep pulling. You are entitled to “eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days,” but it will require your heart and a willing mind. It will require that you stay at your post and keep trying.
On 10 May 1940, as the specter of Nazi infamy moved relentlessly toward the English Channel, Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was summoned to the post of prime minister of England. He hastily formed a government and on May 13 went before the House of Commons with his maiden speech.
I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this Government: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.”
We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask what is our policy? I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land, and air, with all our might and with all our strength that God can give us. . . .That is our policy. You ask, What is our aim? I can answer in one word: Victory-victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror; victory, however long and hard the road may be. [Churchill: the Life Triumphant, American Heritage, 1965, p. 90]
Six days later he went on radio to speak to the world at large. He said:
This is one of the most awe-striking periods in the long history of France and Britain. . . . Behind us . . . gather a group of shattered States and bludgeoned races: the Czechs, the Poles, the Norwegians, the Danes, the Dutch, the Belgians-upon all of whom the long night of barbarism will descend, unbroken even by a star of hope, unless we conquer, as conquer we must; as conquer we shall.
Then two weeks later he was back before Parliament. “We shall not flag or fail,” he vowed.
We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender. [Churchill, p. 91]
I share these lines with you not only because they are among the most stirring calls to patriotism and courage ever uttered in the English language, but also because I relied on them personally once, when I was just your very age."
-President Holland

[@lindabassett306]

40 years ago, such a revenant message for me at 75 years old today! Thank you for making this available.

[@byuspeeches]

Thanks for listening!

[@NnamdiArt]

I will forever count myself blessed for being one of the recipients of the blessings of your gifts of eloquence and spiritual insight. This talk is a life changer for me. Exactly what I need right now! This is not the first time your words have reached from the past to give me new light, direction and hope! Thank you and may God bless you!

[@aceuni-rider6921]

My favorite quotes from these talks: Sister Holland “Put your energies into becoming” Elder Holland “Blood, toil, tears, sweat. The best things in your lives are worth finishing. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God?”

[@CML95018]

RIP Pat, you were one of my favorite speakers like your husband 🙏💙

[@SadieRTrego]

I really am appreciative of these BYU devotionals. I absolutely love to to listen to Elder Jeffrey R Holland. This speech is very inspiring.

[@jafravh]

This talk is for our day and I listen to it often. Jesus is coming and hard times are upon us. Hold onto your seat belts because we’re in for the ride of our lives.

[@jeffrdavid7607]

Jeffrey R Holland is my hero for MANY YEARS !!

[@sislau]

This man is SUCH a powerful speaker! I can listen to him daily. I love his passion and his love for mankind, his hope, and the empowering messages he presents EVERY TIME.

[@jeanjensen3157]

Thank you President Holland for truly a great history reminder of our heritage appreciation your goals and ours love Jean Jensen

[@fox15000]

I listen to this talk about every six months. It helps.

[@JenniferAnnMcCaffrey]

Me too 🤗🤗🤗

[@aceuni-rider6921]

I keep coming back to this wonderful talk. I am so grateful for Elder Holland's witness of Christ.

[@byuspeeches]

It is such a good one!

[@selfconfessedcynic]

As i listen to this, I pray for his good health. Elder Holland is really great.

[@deborahotanjah]

So encouraging ❤️

[@irinas3513]

Let our lives be a monument of a Mormon perseverance

[@ChadSanderson-oh2qc]

We don’t tithe our time toiling to build temples today but we can surely find time to carry our ancestors, Like one of those four who impressed Jesus with their faith when they brought the man of palsy to the savior. He who had power on earth to forgive sins carries on that work today. Surely I can give one day in ten to this work.

[@gongoozleriam9783]

He's so young! :) lol He was pretty good back then but I can really see how he's improved in speaking since then :) He's one of my heroes and I'm so grateful that he chose the path he has in this life, he's been such an inspiration :)

[@jenme7926]

Wow! So inspiring.. Thank you Elder and Sister Holland!

[@johannmadrid8864]

4:12 something I needed to hear for sure

[@owenlawson4115]

This was a very inspiring talk, thanks Elder Holland!

[@mindabiboso78]

Gratitude,its wonderful message❤

[@ButacuPpucatuB]

Wonderful words from the two of them! I wasn’t even born when they delivered this message but it still applies today. Thank you for sharing their talks.

[@leekit6099]

Love these two💖 The Holland's counseling devotionals have been the best guidance for my 42 years of marriage 🥰

[@Baumeister40]

Great to see all those young people gazing toward the pulpit rather than down in their laps. How blessed we were without personal electronics.

[@hockey_girl_21]

True, but it’s also how I’m watching this wonderful man give this inspired speech right now and how I am able to listen to inspiring music and other prophets and apostles in Conference talks. Power for distraction and evil, but also for so much good! ❤

[@starrjohnson1327]

I wish it was like that now. Everyone is on their phones. Awful. Times have changed so much.

[@igobybenny]

@@hockey_girl_21I share this perspective with you

[@russBwright]

I’m watching this on my personal electronic device

[@frankbooth123]

Great talk, I was a Junior in High School at the time, I didn't join the Church until 2006, this is the first time I've heard it.

[@karadanvers6136]

idk how i stumbled on this talk but boy i needed it :) awesome :)

[@ofelia829]

Beautiful! Thank you so much for uploading.🍃

[@JacquelineduPlessis]

Love this. Elder Holland is so good! Great message.

[@Theepineappleking]

How come i've never heard of this talk before now?! that was amazing!

[@leeleviner8159]

hidden treasures i guess

[@nkululekonkosi9964]

best talk I ve heard listening in August 2019.

[@TheMootunes]

Priceless!

[@JasmineRico]

This is definitely one of my favorite talks ever!

[@ladyjade6446]

Amen

[@quietboy4575]

💚

[@ZeyaniRSChrisanna]

🙏🙏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🧡

[@marilynolpin4514]

MarilynOlpin: So uplifting a talk about our ancestors by my favorite apostle Elder Holland who inspires me with joy in the wonderful Church.

[@kimberlytousley3450]

❤️

[@toddmathis7484]

What hymn at the end?

[@battlespace13]

O My Father. Hymn # 292. Very stylized arrangement.

[@jessyjable]

😊

[@renatomacedo7864]

Does anyone here know if there's a version in Portuguese? I'd like to share with my wife who doesn't speak the language.

[@byuspeeches]

We are planning to start speech translations into Portuguese later this year! You can subscribe to our newsletter to find out when they will launch. Here is a link to sign up: eepurl.com/gEwDU5