Amanda Kingsford
Hiring Coordinator
Amanda Kingsford was born and raised in Rexburg, Idaho. She graduated from Ricks College in the office education program in 1992 and then continued on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business education from Idaho State University in 1994. She has worked with online employment and scheduling at BYU-Idaho since 2013 and currently serves as an online hiring coordinator.
Amanda and her husband, Brian, have been married for 28 years. Together they have four children and two sons-in-law. Three of their children and two of their sons-in-law have attended BYU-Idaho.
Spiritual Preparation
Please respond to the question below on the devotional discussion board:
How can you inspire others to put their trust in God?
Brothers and sisters, it is good to be with you. I pray the Holy Ghost will teach and testify to all our hearts today.
Every December, I trust we will have a white Christmas in Rexburg. Though usually terrified, I trust I will survive a roller coaster ride. And I trust my daughter will return my clothes when she is done dressing up for “nerd day.” Confidence in our Heavenly Father is a special relationship of trust requiring continual connection with Him. According to True to the Faith, “When you trust in the Father and the Son, you are confident that They love you perfectly—that They want you to be happy, and that They will help you grow spiritually.” [1] We generally comprehend the principle of trusting in God, but our understanding may falter when uncertainties or challenges arise. The mothers of Helaman’s stripling warriors taught their sons trust is never doubting Heavenly Father even when life becomes daunting. “Because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power. [2] It is a great blessing to experience the joy that comes from trusting in God continually, as did these young men. Because their trust was unlimited, He was able to perform miracles, and they overpowered the much larger army of the Lamanites without losing one life. Though their fight was formidable, these warriors entered the battle trusting in God and maintained never-ending confidence in Him. While hope and faith typically precede evidence, trust is based primarily on evidence. To reinforce our trust in Him, God has provided evidence through many gifts. As we continually utilize the spiritual gifts that cultivate trust in Heavenly Father and inspire others to put their confidence in Him, our joy increases.
Gift #1: Trust the Savior’s Light
One Saturday morning in February 1996, I traveled 80 miles from our home to Fargo, North Dakota. Stake training was being held, and I carpooled with two sisters from my ward. As we entered the parking lot, a man ran out to meet us. He said to return home immediately as a severe blizzard was on its way. We were about 10 miles outside of town when the snow and wind began to rage. It was as if white paper had been taped on every window of the vehicle. We could see neither road nor signs directing the way, only swirling snow. Our situation was precarious, and my nerves were raw. After hours of white-knuckle driving, we saw faint taillights of a vehicle ahead. We could barely make out the lights, but seeing them gave us hope. Creeping along for an additional four hours, we trusted if we followed the light ahead, it would guide us safely home.
Our confidence in Heavenly Father increases as we trust His Son’s light. Trust in general can be difficult as others may have disappointed us or damaged our trust in some way. However, we can have complete trust in following Christ’s light. His light is His flawless nature and perfect sacrifice. We need never doubt Him, as He has already earned our trust. In the Bible Dictionary we read, “The Lord has revealed Himself and His perfect character, possessing in their fullness all the attributes of love, knowledge, justice, mercy, unchangeableness, power, and every other needful thing, so as to enable the mind of man to place confidence in Him without reservation.” [3] A wonderful cycle happens when we trust His light. The result is greater love and loyalty for Him. These feelings motivate us to come to know the Savior better as we eagerly create daily moments of unity with Him—through kind acts, loving words, uplifting music, scripture study, fasting, family history, prayer, and the list goes on. When we plant daily seeds of connection with Christ, we reap the daily harvest of feeling His light, love, and peace. In last week’s devotional, Steven Christenson taught, “Each of us have found rest in the undeserved understanding and unmerited mercy of the Savior.” [4] As we trust the Savior’s perfect character and follow His light, we feel hopeful and confident He will lead us where we need to go.
Gift #2: Trust the Living Prophets
When was the last time you pondered the blessing of having living prophets on the earth? The stripling warriors were successful in defeating their enemy because they chose a prophet as their leader [5] and followed him with scrupulous obedience. “Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them.” [6] President Ezra Taft Benson said, “If there is ever a conflict between earthly knowledge and the words of the prophet, you stand with the prophet, and you’ll be blessed and time will [show you have done the right thing].” [7] Trusting the living prophet is trusting God. The Lord Himself declared, “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.” [8]
Wilford Woodruff recorded a powerful recollection from the early days of the Church. A discussion of scriptures and living prophets came into question. One man asserted modern revelations should be confined to what was already contained in scripture. At that moment, Joseph Smith asked Brigham Young to stand and declare his testimony of living prophets. Brigham Young stood and set the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants in a stack before him and said, “Those books do not convey the word of God direct to us now, as do the words of a Prophet . . . in our day and generation. I would rather have the living oracles than all the writing in the books.” When he was through, Brother Joseph said to the congregation, “Brother Brigham has told you the word of the Lord, and he has told you the truth.” [9]
A powerful reminder: as precious as they are, the scriptures alone are not enough without the ongoing revelations of living prophets.
In recent years, some of President Russell M. Nelson’s counsel has included:
- Keeping the Sabbath Day holy
- Daily feasting in the Book of Mormon
- Ministering
- Gathering Israel
- Using the correct name of the Church
- Becoming exemplary Latter-day Saints
- Letting the Lord prevail in your life
We can only follow the prophet if we remember his counsel. I invite you to take out your phone and send yourself a reminder to listen this week to one of President Nelson’s recent talks. As you hear his words, ask yourself, “How well am I following the prophet’s invitations?” Listen to the Spirit and choose something specific you would like to do with more precision. I testify we gain personal insights when we earnestly heed the prophet’s pleas. Because God’s will is reflected through the words of His servants, we can trust the gift of living prophets.
Gift #3: Trust the Repentance Process
Repentance cultivates greater trust in Heavenly Father because He is the giver of this precious offering. Repentance is possible only through His Beloved Son’s atoning sacrifice. Trust is an action word that helps initiate change in our lives, and repentance is a personal invitation to bring about this change. The marvelous process that takes place when we trust in God continuously is we more readily invite His feedback and desire to improve. We all have weaknesses; we fall short. Fortunately, those weaknesses do not determine who we are, but they can help us become who we want to be. As President Nelson taught:
Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. When coupled with faith, repentance opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. [10]
Utilizing the gift of repentance means we set aside our own desires to choose the path Heavenly Father would have us take. We continue to trust our efforts to improve will be worth it. And we trust the Savior will support and comfort us in our trials perfectly, even if our prayers are not answered at once.
As a young colonel in the Virginia Regiment, George Washington found himself in a heated argument with William Payne, a candidate running in an election. As words escalated, Washington made an insulting remark, and Payne struck him with his walking stick. The next day Washington sent a message inviting the offended gentleman to meet him. Mr. Payne nervously arrived expecting a duel and was surprised to hear Washington say, “Mr. Payne, I find I was wrong yesterday. You have had some satisfaction. If that is sufficient, here's my hand; let us be friends.” [11] Washington’s efforts to acknowledge and rectify his mistake helped turn William Payne from a foe into an ardent ally.
The sacrament supports the repentance process. Partaking of the sacrament is an opportunity to determine the person you were last week is not who you will be the coming week. It is an individual, unique experience of communion where emblems are literally “torn for us.” [12] With temple use limited, our time to ponder our covenants during the sacrament becomes even more vital. Because Jesus Christ at no time has forgotten you, the sacrament is an opportunity to resolve you will at no time forget Him.
In counseling his son Helman, Alma testified of the need to place our trust in God. Alma knew from personal experience the pains of guilt and consequently knew the joys of repentance. Alma declared, “Whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.” [13] Years later, Helaman lead the stripling warriors into battle, confident his father’s counsel would help him with this great responsibility. When we utilize the gift of repentance, we feel assurance God can bring about great things.
Gift #4: Trust God’s Specific Plan for You
Have you ever followed a spiritual confirmation to make a certain decision, only to find the path developed difficulties later? Too often it is easy to accept the belief “if a choice is right, then the way will be easy.” Alma reminded Helaman, “Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good.” [14] Notice, Alma does not say our paths will be directed to ease or riches, but directed for good. In 1998, my husband received a job offer to work for a rehabilitation company in Rexburg. He was not looking for new employment, but we decided to consider the opportunity and seek guidance through fasting, prayer, and temple attendance. We felt confirmation from the Holy Ghost it was the right decision. He soon started the new job. We were settled in Idaho and expecting our third child. Sadly, within a few months we received word a new company would be taking over the business. They would rehire therapists, but on their terms. This included a major salary cut and no health insurance. The path became rocky, and we doubted our original spiritual confirmation. If a choice brings additional challenges, is it still right? This is where continual trust comes into action, and a knowledge God has a specific plan for each of us. It was right for Joseph Smith to obtain the plates and begin the work of translating the Book of Mormon. Was it easy? It was right for Lehi’s family to leave Jerusalem and travel to the promised land. Was it easy? What we did not realize with my husband’s job was the Lord had something else in mind for us. Though not easy, additional opportunities eventually came. I hope you felt it was the right decision to attend BYU-Idaho. By now, the semester has probably had a few bumps: a challenging class, finding a job, participating socially, or staying healthy. Following a very difficult period in her life, a friend declared, “You can have a really hard year and still have a really great life.” [15] Understanding challenging periods will come and go and keeping an eternal perspective helps cultivate trust in God’s plan for you.
In April 2006 general conference, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf shared a story from his childhood to teach the blessings associated with keeping an eternal perspective. For his family to survive financially in the years following World War II, they operated a laundry business. Elder Uchtdorf’s responsibility was to pedal the delivery bike and pull the extremely heavy laundry cart. Years later, a physical exam showed scars on his lungs resulting from a former lung disease. Doctor’s asked what therapy he had used to heal his lungs. In that instance, Elder Uchtdorf knew his lungs had been cured through the difficult exercise of riding the delivery bike every day. Let’s listen to Elder Uchtdorf’s invitation:
The Lord wants you, my young friends, to desire with all your heart to keep [the] standards and live by the gospel truths found in the scriptures. As you do this, you will see beyond the moment, and you will see your bright and wonderful future with great opportunities and responsibilities. You will be willing to work hard and endure long, and you will have an optimistic outlook on life. [16]
Ask God to help you see the end from the beginning and trust He has a marvelous intention in whatever He tries to do in your life’s plan.
On this week’s discussion board, I posted the question “How can you inspire others to put their trust in God?” Responses included being an example of keeping Christ at the center of our lives, as it helps us recognize the blessings and mercies He has given; encouraging others to recognize ways God was in the details of their situation; being an example through our continued faith in the face of trials; helping others see that the love of God is an eternally renewable resource; putting God to the test by demonstrating a willingness to be vulnerable; and testifying that trusting God comes from knowing Him and acknowledging that we do not know everything. Thank you to these students for their wonderful insights. I testify our joy increases as we inspire others to put their trust in God. In doing so, our own testimony and gratitude are strengthened. It is ennobling to point others to our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ as their sure foundation. We remember we are His children, and His promises are sure. [17]
There are abundant blessings when we place our confidence in God continually. Just as I trusted a light one turbulent day, you can trust unwaveringly in the Savior’s light through His perfect character and atoning sacrifice. Your loyalty for Him will grow as daily moments of connection reinforce your eternal perspective. When you come to those difficult times requiring courage and strength, you will be prepared as you utilize the gifts of living prophets, repentance, and the assurance God has a specific plan for you. In doing so, may you say of yourself as did Helaman of the stripling warriors, “Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually.” [18] In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
[1] “Adversity,” True to the Faith, 2004, 10.
[2] Alma 57:26.
[3] “Faith,” Bible Dictionary, 669.
[4] Steven Christenson, “Conquering Contention: A Matter of the Heart,” BYU-Idaho devotional, Dec. 1, 2020.
[5] See Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020, 2019, 126.
[6] Alma 57:21.
[7] Ezra T. Benson, “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet,” BYU devotional Feb. 26, 1980, 2–3.
[8] Doctrine and Covenants 1:38.
[9] Wilford Woodruff, in Conference Report, October 1897, 22–23.
[10] Russell M. Nelson, “We Can Do Better and Be Better,” Ensign, May 2019.
[11] Thomas J. Fleming , First in Their Hearts: A Biography of George Washington, 1984, 24–25.
[12] “Jesus of Nazareth, Savior and King,” Hymns, no. 181.
[13] Alma 36:3.
[14] Alma 37:37.
[15] Karla Groom, a neighbor.
[16] Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “See the End from the Beginning,” Ensign, May 2006.
[17] See “I Am a Child of God,” Children’s Songbook, 2–3.
[18] Alma 57:27.