weaknesses into strengths

Last week, Xander was asked to speak in seminary on 2 Corinthians 12:9. It’s a tradition at our school where the Student Body President and Vice President speak at a lunchtime gathering (BYLTS bring your lunch to seminary). To advertise this particular BYLTS, they’d created posters and fliers including Xander’s 9th grade seminary photo. Now, this is a tiny little file, but to fully understand his talk, you really need to see it:

Enough intro, I’ll let you read his talk.

Hello!

I’m Xander. I’m really excited to be here speaking today.

First things first, I’ll read the theme scripture which I’ll be talking about.

2 Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

It’s an amazing scripture.

Christ wants us to know that our weaknesses are important, they make us special, and with Christ, they actually make us strong.

The poster advertising this BYLTS has a very nice picture of me from 9th grade. I don’t look very happy. The truth is, I really wasn’t. I don’t think anyone really likes junior high. I really didn’t like it. I didn’t like going to school, I didn’t feel like I had any friends. It was not a happy time for me.

Being around people all the time was really hard for me. I wanted more time alone.

But it was also good.

In that time I was able to spend much more time with my family, I was with my family all the time. They’ve always taught me to have faith, and read the scriptures and pray.

I eventually became happier as I realized how much Christ loved me, and I saw Christ’s love through my family.

This experience made me more humble and I really felt Christ’s love.

There are still times when it’s hard for me to be around people all the time. I think this is something that will always be hard for me. But because of that, I’m forced to take time away from people and listen to the Holy Ghost. This weakness makes me stronger.

And another blessing from the dark days of junior high is that I know what it’s like to feel lonely and not know who to talk to. And this helps me to be better able to serve others.

I think each time we go through a trial one of the effects is that we understand that pain and can serve others who experience it.

And Christ suffered every pain, any pain that any person ever felt he also felt. This allows him to perfectly understand us and perfectly help us through everything.

We all have weaknesses. We should always try to improve ourselves but we also have to realize that some of our weaknesses are just part of who we are. Those are the weaknesses that we should especially look to Christ for help with. Even our greatest weakness can be a strength if we look to Christ and have faith in him and trust him.

I’m going to try to answer like Paul and glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me!

You’re all amazing people and I see you everyday being kind and living the gospel and showing Christ-like love.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen