Book of Mormon, D & C, Pearl of Great Price

We all have Weaknesses, or things that we don't like about ourselves. Throughout our lives we constantly seek to overcome these weaknesses. Yet, the more we focus on our weaknesses, the worse they seem to get in an ever downward spiral. No matter what we ourselves try to do, we can't seem to overcome these hated weaknesses.

In the Book of Ether in the Book of Mormon, the Prophet Moroni tells us of how he too agonized over his own weaknesses. When he turned to the Lord with his concerns over his weaknesses, the Lord revealed to him the key to overcoming them.

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." Ether 12:27

It is encouraging to know that we have already finished the first step in overcoming our weaknesses, by seeing them in the first place. Recognizing our weaknesses is a sign that we are coming closer to God

"It is not an easy thing … to be shown one's weaknesses. … Nevertheless, this is part of coming unto Christ, and it is a vital, if painful, part of God's plan of happiness." Hope through the Atonement of Jesus Christ," Ensign, Nov. 1998, Neal A Maxwell

Next, we need to develop humility. This is partially accomplished in admitting to a weakness, to begin with. The other part of humility is in acknowledging where our strength lies. This means realizing that where we do not have the power to overcome our weakness that God does. With God we can do all things.

When we add to our humility unwavering faith in God, (Faith that He not only can overcome your weakness, but that He will), then we give Him access to do the seemingly impossible. Not just get rid of our weaknesses, but turn them into a strength.

This last part is the key. It is God is who has the power to make weak things become strong. Sometimes God takes away our weakness and in the process he strengthens our character. Other times He leaves our weakness and instead helps us to see and use our seeming weaknesses in a way that transforms it into a great strength. Yet still we know that it is only through God that either can occur.

"Sometimes, in spite of all we do to "make weak things become strong," the Lord, in His infinite wisdom, does not take away our weakness. The Apostle Paul struggled throughout his life with "a thorn in the flesh," which he said served to humble him "lest [he] should be exalted above measure" (2 Corinthians 12:7). Three times Paul asked the Lord to take away his weakness, and three times the Lord declined to do so. The Lord then explained that His grace was sufficient for Paul and that, in fact, His strength was actually "made perfect in weakness." Then Paul wrote, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Corinthians 12:9–10).

Like Paul, we can find positive meaning in weaknesses that are not taken away. Surely nothing is quite as humbling as having a weakness that we cannot overcome but must continue to struggle with throughout our life. Such a weakness teaches us, in a very personal way, that after all we can do we must rely on the grace of Christ to make up the difference.

As we humbly submit our will to the Lord's, we find that our weaknesses can indeed become sources of strength if we put our trust in Him." Making Weak Things Become Strong, Anne C. Pingree Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

The Book of Mormon tells of the Savior’s visit to a group of people who lived on the American continent during Jesus’ lifetime. This visit was made just after His crucifixion. While there, He organized His church among them. The Nephites disagreed about what the church should be called, so they asked the Savior to name the church for them.

Jesus answered, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, why is it that the people should murmur and dispute because of this thing? Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name shall ye be called at the last day.” (3 Nephi 27:4-5, Book of Mormon)

In the Book of Numbers, in the Old Testament of the Bible, the Lord told Moses to teach Aaron and his sons how to bless the people. Moses was told to teach them the following blessing: “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. (Numbers 6:24-27) Throughout the Bible, the people were counseled to take upon themselves the name of the Savior, and this admonition was repeated to the people He was teaching. They had brought with them to their new home some of the Old Testament scriptures, and so, should already have known this, as the Savior reminded them.

Jesus went on to explain, “And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day. Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake. And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel. Verily I say unto you, that ye are built upon my gospel; therefore ye shall call whatsoever things ye do call, in my name; therefore if ye call upon the Father, for the church, if it be in my name the Father will hear you; And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it.” (3 Nephi 27:6-10, Book of Mormon)

The Book of Mormon teaches us the importance of naming a church built to worship the Savior. One wise little girl, when asked if Mormons are Christians, said, “Jesus’ name is right in the center of the name of our church. That’s so we’ll remember He’s in the center of the church.”

One test to apply when seeking a true church is to find out whose church it is. You must kneel, and using the admonition of Moroni, ask Heavenly Father with a sincere and humble heart, if The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church. If you really want to know, if you are truly seeking Him, Heavenly Father will answer you.