Duce's Wild: King Benjamin a powerful example for LDS mission preparation

• Individual will power, personal determination, effective planning and goal setting are necessary but ultimately insufficient to triumphantly complete our mortal journey. This is especially true for those making the most of a full-time mission.

• We shouldn’t pray for difficult circumstances to change, but instead pray for increased strength to face our challenges with new ideas and adaptable solutions.

• There is no physical pain, no anguish of soul, no suffering of spirit, no infirmity or weakness ever experienced during a mortal journey that the Savior did not experience first. Triumphs, joy and peace during the journey should also be acknowledged and shared with the Lord.

Like King Benjamin, we can overcome our natural weaknesses through humble repentance and allowing the Lord to make our good efforts great.

Goal for the week: Pray, not that a hard circumstance in your life will change, but that you will have greater power and insight to take it on. Write about what happens in your journal.

Stacie Lloyd Duce is a columnist and magazine editor featured regularly in several Montana and Utah publications. Her columns appear Thursdays on www.desnews.com. EMAIL: duceswild7@gmail.com