Meekly Placing Our Total Trust in God | Terence M. Vinson

As we encounter challenges in life, yoking ourselves with and meekly placing our total trust in God will allow us to reap the rewards of a faithful life.
This speech was given on February 11, 2020.
Read the speech here:
speeches.byu.e...
Learn more about Terence M. Vinson here:
speeches.byu.e...
Subscribe to BYU Speeches for the latest videos: / @byuspeeches
Read and listen to more BYU Speeches here:
speeches.byu.edu/
Follow BYU Speeches:
Facebook: / byuspeeches
Twitter: / byuspeeches
Instagram: / byuspeeches
Pinterest: / byuspeeches
© Brigham Young University. All rights reserved.
My wife, Kay, and I are thrilled to be with you this morning. Thank you for coming.
You probably have not seen too many photos of General Authorities in their young adult years with facial hair that would disqualify them from enrolling at BYU. Well, I was not then a member of the Church. I was a university student working part-time at McDonald’s, where I met a young woman who was sufficiently alert to see some potential in me and to encourage our relationship, for which I am most grateful. She would often arrange with the manager-unbeknownst to me-for us to be assigned the closing shift together. As she had no transport home, I would give her a lift, and we quickly fell in love. It was she who introduced me to the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
So I recommend McDonald’s! And I recommend finding an eternal companion who will always love the Lord first.
How blessed we are to know our God and His plan for us and to love Him first in our lives.
Each of us knows that Jesus Christ lived, died, and was resurrected,1 and we know that He is the Son of God.2 We know that His gospel is restored-one proof of which is the wondrous Book of Mormon, a book of genius beyond the capacity of Joseph Smith, or of any man, to write and a book that shows the Savior’s love for each of us. It truly is another testament of Jesus Christ because it helps us to come to know Him deeply and personally and to understand His ways.3
As I read the Book of Mormon for the first time, I could not deny its divinity. Its examples of the love, justice, and mercy of God; its teachings of His desire to bless His children; and the depth of insight it gives into both His nature and ours spoke to my heart.
Given these foundations for our faith, is there any reason for us not to have total confidence in God-who has proven Himself time and time again, as shown in the scriptures, in the history of His Church, and in our personal lives and ­experiences-when we allow Him?
So how is that confidence manifest as we face the challenges and hardships that will surely ­confront us on our journey through life?
Perhaps we can get some guidance from a story set in the mountain range of southeastern Australia.
We Are the Riders, and God Carries Us
The Man from Snowy River is best known as an iconic Australian movie released in 1982. It was based on a poem by the Australian bush poet Banjo Paterson, and it contains analogies to our journey through life when we allow our Savior to guide us.
The poem tells the story of a stockman (a cowboy in American culture) who came with his horse to help round up a prized and unique wild colt that had escaped from a ranch (or a station, as we call it in Australia). As is the Australian way-and because it can be a harsh country, as evidenced by the recent drought and bushfires and the current floods-when someone is in need, people come together to help out their mates. That happened in this instance. A number of drovers (stockmen who herd cattle or sheep) gathered together to round up this wild colt.
The most famous of the riders who had gathered was Clancy, and he came from a place in the bush called The Overflow. He was renowned as a champion rider and drover. His experience, courage, and riding abilities were famous throughout the country.
But one of the riders, the man from Snowy River, together with his horse, was the cause of some concern to the rest. They felt that the combination of this horse and rider would not be up to the task. They thought he couldn’t do it. Naysayers and doubters are never in short supply-they are a dime a dozen.
Similarly, many people today lack confidence in God, or in the combination of us with God. But we know that God can make weak things become strong.4
Anyway, in this particular case, the rider and his horse were from the Snowy River region near Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest mountain. The poem describes the scene of the group of riders and the escaped colt born from a mare called Regret:
There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around
That the colt from old Regret had got away,
...

[@megmomof6]

One of my favorite BYU speeches! I have listened to it many times and find myself using his words and lessons as I talk to friends and family regarding so many of the issues and concerns facing us today. How can it not be a favorite when he quotes the Man From Snowy River!

[@thedude7371]

It is truly wonderful to find talks that can evoke such a spiritual experience. Thank you for posting and brightening my day.

[@jayneblissett7296]

I love this talk, often I play it after my scripture study, to remind to trust God more.

[@amandadangerfieldpiano]

Elder Vinson, I don't recommend McDonald's. But other than that one detail, I appreciate your words. I love your Christlike, faithful example and encouragement.

[@billjensen51]

I love my siblings despite having differences of opinions at times. It is the same for my friends, neighbors and those in my community. I may not always agree but hope and strive to always love them and treat them with respect and kindness. Such a good talk for so many reasons.

[@wilhelmtell536]

Such a simple, clear and powerful testimony. I love his talks! Trust God to lead me on.

[@yellowyosh470]

This talk is 👌So grateful for inspired servants of God that help strengthen my connection with my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ.

[@violetaturner4998]

I love this talk! I needed it today; such a powerful message 💕

[@camharrington6330]

Great reminder to trust in the Lord in all instances of our lives.

[@marcelastacey890]

Integrity, Faith, Humility, and Strength. Love God first - love my neighbor second. Love for my neighbors (spouse, child, friend, work associate, team mate, etc. ) is not diminished when I choose to follow God even if they don’t. Loving them, means to gently present Heavenly Father’s word to them in love and respect. In Integrity to what I know to be true, Faith, Humility and with Strength of conviction and love. I think I get it. Let’s see if I can actually live it. Thank you for the great analogy to The Man from Snowy River. Thank you.

[@MsJet1]

What an important speech for our times.

[@71greatdane]

Truly a wonderful talk indeed!

[@ChipSpencer123]

Superb. It causes A lot of introspection.

[@mader348]

Thank you! 🙏

[@tchuwe]

STRAYA ♥

[@lightrevolutionsdotcom9415]

Great message by br Vinson, whom I've never heard before. The analogy has its distinct limits, but the message is true.

[@brendanwilsonvfx5705]

This is kind of how i view god. And their being One God. in the sense of unity. While their is God the father, and Jesus Christ And God the Mother, and The Holy Ghost. They Are all One God in the sense, of Unity. and will. The GodHead. Just Like the Horse and the Rider of the Horse. Even we can be one with God through and by Jesus Christ's Grace. This is how their can be multiple God's but in a sense and still be One God. Different Personages, But One. in Unity. Like an Onion Their are multiple Layers. Moses is Called of God as Is Abraham. they have just discovered different layers of the Same truth of God. God Is Real. God Still Gives Revelation. And his Church has been Restored to The Earth. The God in the Bible Of The Old World. Did Not just go to and talk to his People in the Old World Alone. But Instead as is stated in the Bible. Is God of the Whole World. Including the New World. Hense why Their Should Be Records Of this Same God All over the World. Because He is True. And Their are still Prophets to this Day, As their were in the old days.

[@yellowyosh470]

Wow! I really felt the Holy Spirit reading this. Thank you!