The most successful people I
know do not blame their problems on circumstances, but instead have learned to
change their circumstances for the better.
For example, have you ever
heard someone say the following about their circumstances? "This is a
difficult area; no one is interested." "My companion is too hard to
get along with or doesn't want to work; I'm just going to wait it out until
transfers." Or, "the members in this area just aren't
supportive." When we believe these types of statements, we become victims
to our circumstances.
Elders and Sisters, God made us
superior to our circumstances. He commanded us "to act for [ourselves] and
not to be acted upon" (2 Ne. 2:26). When we confront a difficult
circumstance, we do have a choice. We can rely upon God in faith and "act
for ourselves" in order to make our circumstances better.
The scriptures are filled with
examples of those who were not willing to be victims, but instead chose to
"act" and overcome difficult circumstances. Nephi, Ammon, Alma,
Abraham, Elijah, Peter, Paul, and Joseph Smith all confronted very difficult
circumstances. Instead of falling victim to their circumstances, they decided
to rely on God and "act" in faith in order to bring about God's
purposes. As always, Christ is our perfect example. Through the Atonement, He
acted in order to change the circumstances of the Fall of man.
With God's help, you can change
any circumstance for the better! You can make a difficult area productive. You
can make a challenging companionship effective. You can build enthusiasm in a
ward where it did not previously exist. God expects us to "be anxiously
engaged in a good cause, and do many things of [our] own free will, and bring
to pass much righteousness" (D&C 58:27).
With much love and respect,President Pingree