When Faith is Tested by the Unimaginable: Finding Light After Loss

Sometimes, the greatest test of our covenants—the kind that makes us pause and whisper, "How can I keep believing?"—doesn't come from a challenging investigator, or a difficult ward assignment, but from the deepest, most sacred parts of our hearts. It comes from loss.

When you are faced with a reality that seems too big, too painful, or too sudden to process, the simple act of believing in the eternal nature of the family unit becomes everything. It becomes the anchor when the world feels like it’s spinning off its axis.

Lizzie and Nate Cottrell shared their story recently, and honestly, my heart was heavy as I listened. Their journey, marked by the loss of one twin and the long, grueling battle for the survival of the other, was a powerful, humbling reminder that our faith isn't meant to be a shield against suffering; it’s meant to be the very source of strength *through* it.

Finding Strength in the Sacred

What struck me most was how they kept pointing back to the Savior. In the midst of NICU tubes, ventilator alarms, and the sheer exhaustion of crisis care, their focus remained on Jesus Christ. It’s easy, isn't it? When the immediate crisis is the breathing tube, it’s easy to forget the eternal breath of the Spirit guiding us.

As we are all called to be disciples anywhere, all the time—whether we’re in the field, in the ward, or navigating the quiet moments at home—we need to remember that the Spirit whispers comfort in the unexpected places. Lizzie and Nate’s story was a powerful illustration of that divine sustaining power.

If you are currently walking through a valley—a loss, a diagnosis, a disappointment—I invite you to take heart. You are not meant to carry that weight alone. Lean into your temple covenants, lean into your ward family, and most importantly, lean into the Savior.

A Missionary Perspective on Endurance

As someone who has been back from the field, I’ve learned that the best teaching moments often come when we have to teach about things we *don't* fully understand. We teach about eternal families, about the Atonement, and sometimes, we are the ones who need to be taught that lesson ourselves. It requires profound humility.

For those of you who are preparing for missions, or who are currently serving, remember this: your testimony needs to be robust enough to withstand the hardest questions, and sometimes, the hardest questions come from our own hearts when we are grieving. Keep studying your scriptures, keep sharing your stories, and keep praying.

For those of us who are lifelong disciples, this is a beautiful reminder that our discipleship isn't just about the milestones—it's about the mundane, the painful, the moments we have to show up anyway. It's about showing up for the *work*.

If this testimony resonated with you, I encourage you to join a Book Club in HolyPlaces this week. We’ve been discussing the Book of Mormon and finding verses that speak to enduring faith. It’s a wonderful, low-pressure way to deepen your study and connect with fellow disciples.

And for those who want to dig deeper into the mechanics of faith when life throws curveballs, I highly recommend checking out the latest insights from Iron Rod authors available in LivingBook. It’s a treasure trove of wisdom for every stage of our journey.

If you’d like to explore how to answer difficult questions about faith in the face of suffering, I’ve left a prompt up for Davee. He’s ready to walk you through some tough hypotheticals using his AI Investigator role. Don't hesitate to ask!

Keep drawing strength from the Savior, my brothers and sisters. We are doing this together.