I recently visited the Manti Temple and left with a deep respect for the faith and effort of those who built it. The pioneers chose to build on a hill, not the easier flat ground below. That decision alone says something about their vision. They were not looking for convenience. They were building something meant to stand above, both physically and spiritually.

What stayed with me most was the stone they used. When first cut from the quarry, the rock was soft and easy to shape. That made it ideal for the detailed work the temple required. But it also raised concern. Could something so soft really support the weight of such a sacred and massive structure?

Over time, they learned something important. Once the stones were cut and set aside, they hardened. What seemed weak at first became strong enough to bear the load.

That feels familiar. At times, we may feel unprepared or unsure if we can carry what is asked of us. We see our own limits. We wonder if we are strong enough. But the Lord does not expect us to start out hardened and complete. Like the stone, we are shaped, placed, and given time.

Through patience, faith, and His guidance, we become stronger than we first believed. What once felt like weakness becomes the very thing that allows us to grow into who He needs us to be.

Mark Hess - Ward Missionary Committee