Sister Yee Shares the ‘Wellspring of Relief’ That Comes Through Covenants With God

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By Mary Richards, Church News

As Sister Kristin M. Yee, Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, has pondered the blessings and power found in covenant relationships with God, she has come to know better how the Savior offers relief.

“Jesus Christ is at the center of our covenants. It is only through Him and His sacrifice that we can make covenants with God,” she said.

Speaking during a Brigham Young University devotional on Tuesday, October 24, Sister Yee shared five thoughts on the relief that Jesus Christ brings through covenant relationships.

1. ‘There Is Relief in Partnering With God’

Sister Yee told students that each one of them can partner with Heavenly Father and the Savior in deep and powerful ways through covenant relationships.

“There is such relief in knowing you are never alone in your sorrows, your challenges, your decisions, your insecurities, your weaknesses,” she said.

All those who have made covenants with God have access to a special kind of love and mercy, taught President Russell M. Nelson.

As someone who has not yet married, Sister Yee said this loving and merciful covenant relationship with her Father in Heaven and Savior has a powerful place in her life.

She shared her experience moving to San Francisco at age 17 and feeling something missing in her life — until she walked into a Church meetinghouse on Sunday.

“I was home. I knew this was what I wanted. I knew I wanted my Heavenly Father and Savior in my life more than anything or anyone else. And I began to counsel with the Lord in ‘all my doings,’” she said.

Church News Video: Sister Yee’s journey of faith and how she’s ‘Guided by the Lord’

2. ‘There Is Relief in Trusting in the Lord’

At times in her life, Sister Yee said she has not known how things would work out. But she knew the Lord would be beside her.

She invited students to turn their unknowns, hurts, complexities, unfairnesses, difficult relationships and next steps in their lives to His care.

“My friends, stay in the hard a little longer — hang in there a little longer; lean into the Lord,” she said. “He trusts you with this experience and growth, and you don’t have to do it alone. He will help you.”

3. ‘We Can Find the Savior’s Relief as We Bring His Relief to Others’

Sister Yee said the Lord has created a divine pattern of caring for each other. As people bring the Savior’s relief to others, they can find His relief for themselves.

One night, Sister Yee was struggling with an assignment. Her ministering sister came by — and the visit brought Sister Yee renewal and peace.

“He was trying to answer my prayer by sending this inspired sister to visit me. That was in essence a visit from Him, as His Spirit healed my heart,” she said.

4. ‘We Can Find the Savior’s Relief in Our Personal Relationships’

When people develop their covenant relationships with God and worship in temples, they receive power to navigate and nurture other relationships.

She once followed a prompting to visit her father in Idaho after not seeing him for several years. She worried about the possibility of hurt feelings. But the experience led to a series of shifts in her life and in that relationship.

“I testify that God loves families. He desires to heal and bless them, to help them grow,” she said.

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5. ‘Our Covenant Relationship With God Can Be a Wellspring of Relief’

When the Savior taught and ministered to the woman at the well, He described a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

“Our Heavenly Father and Savior want to give you an abundance of blessings, a personal well of living water through your covenants,” said Sister Yee.

President Nelson taught how each person who makes and keeps covenants has increased access to Jesus Christ’s power.

Sister Yee said that power expands the resources and capacities inside each person “like a wellspring of living waters,” allowing them to navigate the difficulties of life — even receiving joy amidst those difficulties.

Just as biological soil crust forms, strengthens, protects and sustains life in the desert, a covenant relationship with God creates a personal, life-giving ecosystem for each person.

“God prospers us in our deserts. With God, we can prosper in the desert. Without God, even in a fertile land, we ultimately cannot prosper,” she said.

Sister Yee invited students to attend the temple often and make covenants with the Lord.

“Don’t wait to receive His loving relief, power and help,” she said.