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.  Alma 57:27

This afternoon I wish to raise my voice in praise of you, to express my love, my encouragement, and admiration for you... You are literally a spirit daughter of heavenly parents with a divine nature and an eternal destiny. Your Father in Heaven knows your name and knows your circumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him (Ensign, November, 2005, p. 28).

I was wondering how the Atonement applied to me personally, and I prayed that the Lord would let me know in His own time. The next day I received an e-mail that featured your article, “A New Look at Enos"! Now, I love Enos for so many reasons. I am moved every time I think about how the Lord answered my prayer. I know that the Lord does answer prayers and that He does love me.

I'm not sure if you remember me but my name is Rosa Sedillo. I wrote to you some time ago thanking you for the wonderful article you wrote concerning Enos. He is my favorite Book of Mormon prophet. Well Darla, as you know, the world is getting harder to live in with every day that goes by. My spirit strives to stay strong and be an example to my fellow youth around me, but sometimes I feel no longer worthy of the Lord's sweet spirit. It hurts me whenever i feel distant from that beautiful spirit that comforts me.

They have raised us well and have loved us more than enough. My father is a good father. He is a friend of mine who I can always count on to make me smile. He is a member of the Church but is not active. If there is anything I have learned from my father it is hard work. I have never had to work hard to survive like he has done all his life. All his life he worked hard for his children to have a better life then he has had. I love him and he knows it! I gave a presentation in one of my classes last year and talked a bit about my parents being examples to me.

I find it so interesting that you said illness has been a major trial in your life because my mom has the same problem. She has been sick for 14 years and if it's not one thing it's the other. She has always been a woman of faith and trust that the Lord would take good care of her despite her illness.

I want to share something I shared with her not to long ago. When all is done and after I come to see my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ the first man I want to meet is Enos. I bet you knew that. The first woman that I want to meet is the woman who had a sickness to do with her blood. She knew that if she touched the Master's robe she would be healed. I adore her so much for that kind of faith.

One day as I told my mom these things a whisper came and I heard these exact words, “You don't have to wait. Your [mother is] a sick woman with that same faith.” I turned to my mother and told her what I heard and she just sat on the bed with a big smile. That's when I was reminded that He works wonders and sometimes we are just too blind to see them. I love my mother for the faith that she has shown to me in the Father and in the Son.

I may not be the smartest person or know all the Gospel doctrine and still a Young Woman, but I do have a testimony and I do love my Heavenly Father and my Savior. Just as they love me, they love you and they know you. They are proud and are thankful for all you do in bring forth the Kingdom. Remember that! You are a daughter of God and He will always be there when you need Him. He will never fail you. May He bless you in all the good that you continue to do. You are a blessing and don't you forget it!

One of my Young Women leaders — who is my best friend next to the Savior — tells me that I am too hard on myself but that I can't see it. How do you feel about that? Can one really be too hard on one's self? I have noticed that half the time I will be the happy person I always want to be and the other half I feel failure or unworthiness.  It helps me so much to be able to relate to your feelings [and to my leader's feelings] and how you deal with them and how you always trust in the Lord. I want nothing more than to live a life worthy to stand before my Savior knowing I did everything possible in my power to please Him. He is the reason I am here on this earth today. I am forever in debt to Him for the love He showed to me when He suffered and died for me to have a way back to my Heavenly Father.

I hope that one day you will write an article concerning the youth and how much they are worth because too many of us forget it. I have learned that if ever I feel I'm worth nothing or not much I can think of the Savior and all He has and will continue to do for me — all because He loves me. What greater blessing could there be than to mean so much to someone I love so much.

As a youth I love to hear that we are a chosen generation and I do believe by being reminded we become that much stronger and willing to do better!

It means so much to hear you say that there are many in my generation that are chosen. It reminds me that no matter how hard things become in life, my Heavenly Father will never leave me alone. It reminds me that He chose me to come forth at this time because He believed that I would make it!! I know that at times when I feel I am not enough or when I can't believe in myself He is always there reminding me that I am enough and that He believes in me. I am so thankful to my very best friend, the Savior of us all, Jesus Christ. It is because of Him that I stand strong today and without Him my life would mean nothing.

I too have noticed that many people have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. It makes me sad at times but I know in my heart why it is happening and why it has to happen. It's because the Savior's 2nd coming is close. People will forget Him and all that He has done for them in their lives and turn to the ways of the world. I just pray that we as Latter-day Saints who know the truth will be an example of that truth to the world. He is our Savior and all my days I will stand to represent Him the best I know how. I know with all my heart that "He lives". He has comforted me in times when I needed comfort. He has shed tears with me when life has become so hard and I feel I can't go on. What I am indeed thankful for above everything is knowing that He loves me enough to do anything for me. Even when I have failed Him or have not given my all He is always there to finish what I cannot. I love Him so much that words can never express it. If it were not for amazing examples, we as the youth would not know the difference we make in the world. I strongly believe [they] were sent to help me understand my worth and mission for our Heavenly Father on this earth.

I really look forward to my senior year! I have learned a lot in High School. Not just out of the books but I think God has opened my eyes a little wider to see how many people need a good example, need a good friend or just need someone that believes in them. The Lord has blessed me with a love for others. A love that looks past their problems and loves them for them!

School is hard and I know because I live it. Every day becomes harder but every day I become that much stronger. The one thing that keeps me going is knowing my Savior is right there, right beside me. Knowing that He loves me and wants me back in His presence. Knowing that He went through all the pain, all the worries, all the sorrow that life will bring but still chose to make my way clear. I love Him enough to have the one desire to spend all my life doing all I can to one day be worthy to fall on my knees and thank Him for all He has given me. So in all it's my testimony that helps me get through every day in this life and I thank my God for it.

I go to seminary every morning. It has helped me grow a lot these past years and I want other youth to know that yeah, life does get busy but nobody should ever be too busy to give some of their time to the Lord and His gospel. Seminary is a great way to give Him our time and learn at the same time.

It's wonderful to hear that your stepson is going on a mission! Someday if I'm not married yet I want to serve a mission! I love the work!! The happiness I feel when sharing the gospel is amazing! I've been going out with the sister missionaries a lot lately and I've loved every minute!

I was telling my mother how I feel tired emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally and anything else you can think of. I am so ready for this summer and all it has waiting for me. It's because of the people closest to me that I feel like holding on stronger and stronger in such a stressful time. I know that in a few days all this will pass and that my Savior is at my side knowing the way that I feel and just the thought of Him walking with me every day makes it a lot easier to say, "It will pass.”

I know I'm only a young woman but I as a young woman have my hard times too. I told myself that I was going to try my hardest to regain the Lord's spirit today, and that is exactly what happened. I was filled with comfort and peace. I was in a room with church music (It helps me to invite the Spirit) along with my scriptures and trust that the Savior would be with me as I cried unto my Heavenly Father with a sincere heart. I left the room with a reassurance that I do have a Father in heaven who loves me so much. I have a Savior who I can turn to for anything. He is my best friend and it is through Him that I will make it back to my Father in heaven. I am a member of His true church and I am thankful for having it in my life. I know with all my heart that if I continue to trust in the Savior and do all that I have been called to do I will return to live with Him and my Heavenly Father.

I would not know happiness if I didn't know unhappiness.  We, as disciples of Christ, will be tested, and the Savior Himself knows what that feels like! What happiness it has brought to me to realize that my Savior knows me, knows what I can handle and what I cannot handle. I love Him and I will spend my whole life serving Him. This is where I have come to find my happiness — the happiness that will last even after this life. I love Him so much and I am forever thankful for knowing it!

Today was a really hard day for me. I ran into a problem in school with a teacher of mine who said something very mean and untrue about the Church. It hurt my spirit so badly, and I knew I could not let it go on without standing for what is right and what is true. It was a hard thing to have to tell me teacher he was wrong but I would not allow him to speak about my Father in Heaven and his Church without standing up for it. I knew that if I didn't say anything I would offend my God and I would not dare do so.

I promised Him that if He chose to send me to this earth that I would spend my life standing as a witness of Him and His gospel and so I stand today knowing that even though it was hard He is proud that I chose to stay true to that promise. I will continue to do so because He and my Savior are my Rock and no matter what comes my way I know I will never be alone.

Darla, I now know more then I have ever before known in my life that My Heavenly Father and Savior are always with me. This brings me such happiness! After the trial then comes the blessing, it's true!

I am thankful for the time I have to share with you the happiness I have felt all day. Today was such a wonderful day! I bore my testimony in church about how the Lord will always be by our side when life becomes hard or just too much. I know it to be true. My Young Women class was great as well.

Yesterday night I felt the need to read the Liahona. As I looked through it I came across a talk from Elder Henry B. Eyring called, “Remembering Him Always.” This talk spoke to me with such a strong presence of the Lord's spirit. I loved it! I am so thankful to have a testimony and know with all my heart that I am indeed a daughter of God. He is my Father and I will strive to do anything in my power to return to Him along with my Savior and best friend Jesus Christ.

It's amazing how you brought up the experience you had at the prison because my brother is in jail. He made some bad choices in his life, but I believe my brother has a wonderful spirit within [like you felt about those women]. I write to him, pray and do all in my power to help him. Above all I trust the Lord to help him. The Lord knows what is best and I trust Him. I sent my brother the Enos article as well. He liked it a lot, too!”

Times are becoming harder and it's those close to me that help me the most — that are always helping me to see my trials in a different way, the way I know the Lord wants me to see them — as lessons and later a blessing. I want to share with you some amazing news. My brother who is in jail [was originally sentenced to serve 45 years but] was told today that he was only going to have to serve 4 years. My mother has cried [tears of gratitude] all day because she has asked the Lord to hear her cry along with His in helping my brother get out. My brother has changed so much, Darla, that it touches my heart and is another testimony to me that God the Father does hear our prayers.

I love the Lord and it is indeed my desire to serve Him. With every day that goes by I understand that it will become a little harder but with every day that He gives me I will try that much harder.