Elder David A. Bednar Shares Lesson on Faith and Action During Visit to Chuuk, Micronesia

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During a recent ministry visit to the Asia North Area, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared an inspiring experience of faith and trust while visiting members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chuuk, Micronesia on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. 

Upon arriving in Chuuk, Elder Bednar and his traveling party were met with rainy weather, strong winds, and choppy ocean waves. The group needed to decide whether to brave the conditions to travel by boat and visit members on the island of Tonowas—or cancel the trip. 

"We wanted to go be with those Saints," Elder Bednar reflected. "So even though it was raining and the wind was blowing, we got in the boat.” 

As the vessel pushed forward into the choppy waters, conditions gradually improved. The rain subsided and the wind calmed down.  

Reflecting on the journey, Elder Bednar noted that the elements did not clear until after the group acted and stepped into the boat.  

Elder Bednar was accompanied by his wife, Susan Bednar, Elder Benjamin M. Z. Tai of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife Naomi, Elder Michael John U. Teh, counselor in the Asia North Area Presidency, and his wife Grace, and Bishop L. Todd Budge, first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric and his wife Lori.  

Elder Bednar taught later that day in a devotional on Weno Island. “Faith is a principle of action and trust and power. It is very simple.” 

Upon arriving safely in Tonowas, Elder Bednar met with local leaders and members of the Tonowas Branch, an active congregation of about 100 members. He spent time engaging with the Latter-day Saints, witnessing their devotion, and delivering an apostolic testimony of Jesus Christ. 

Addressing the members gathered at the local meetinghouse, Elder Bednar testified of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  

"I witness God lives. He is our Father. Jesus Christ is His Son. And I witness He lives—He is our Savior and our Redeemer. As you look unto Him in everything, in every thought, I promise you will be blessed in remarkable ways.” 

While some might view the favorable change in weather during their boat crossing as mere luck or coincidence, Elder Bednar emphasized a deeper spiritual lesson behind the experience. 

"The Lord wanted us to be in Tonowas,” Elder Bednar said. “He does not always make it easy, but He always makes it possible. But we have to act, not just sit and wait.” 

Elder Bednar’s visit to Chuuk came in the middle of a 10-day ministering visit to the area—which also included visits with leaders, members and missionaries in Korea, Guam, and Japan.