Sister Kristin M. Yee gave an incredible talk in the October 2024 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In her talk, Sister Yee uses the metaphor of her painting (once ruined but then restored to something beyond its original beauty) to illustrate how the Savior saves what seems beyond repair.
She speaks of how the Lord helps individuals overcome their weaknesses, guiding them through the process of repentance, and continually helping them even when they falter.
The painting that she thought she had ruined became better after she relied on God’s help; in essence, God helps us become better versions of ourselves, even when we inevitably make mistakes and feel bruised and broken.
It is almost as if she is channeling the song “Yet” by Ashley Hess, as the song also deals with the themes of redemption, personal growth, and Divine grace.
The lyrics of “Yet” express a similar plea to God for help and understanding. The speaker acknowledges their imperfections, scars, and brokenness but is asking God not to give up on them. There’s a definite recognition of the need for personal growth and an awareness of how far there is to go, but also acknowledges the need for a loving Savior to step in and bestow grow and show patience as the individual is being molded. “Yet” speaks to the human need for God’s patience and love, even when progress feels slow or uncertain.
Like Sister Yee’s story, there’s a desire for Divine help in healing and growth.
The idea of Yee’s efforts to apply a varnish (which damaged the painting) represents our mortal mistakes. Yet, through God’s help, it was restored and even improved. This reinforces the belief that when we fail, Christ is there to pick us up and make us even better than we were before.
In “Yet”, Ashley writes she knows she is not “God’s best bet” and repeatedly needs reminders of God’s love, much like how people may feel inadequate. Yet, the plea not to be abandoned is a recognition that even in imperfection, there is a desire to keep trying with God’s help.
Both messages share that through hope and grace, progress can and will be achieved.
Sister Yee: Come! Christ is not done with us. You are not below his reach! #generalconference pic.twitter.com/lmcjDSzAh0
— James Valentine (@ValentineJames) October 6, 2024
Both the talk and the song communicate hope amidst struggle. Sister Yee’s story demonstrates that God doesn’t abandon us when we make mistakes; instead, He is invested in helping us become whole. The song echoes this sentiment, with the singer asking God to not give up on them as they continue trying to grow and heal, even with new scars and challenges.
“Let us not defend ourselves from the good that God desires to bless us with. From the love and mercy that He desires us to feel. From the light and knowledge He desires to bestow upon us. From the healing that He knows we so readily need. From the deeper covenant relationship He… pic.twitter.com/pwTUveqbrx
— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 6, 2024
YET lyrics
Verse 1
God
Don’t give up on me yet
I know I’m not Your best bet
But I’m trying
So don’t give up on me yet
Verse 2
And God
Don’t leave me here alone
I know I need to grow still
And I’m trying
But don’t leave me here alone
Chorus
I know I’ve come so far
But got so far to go
And with these brand new scars
This broken heart
It’s hard to really know
If there’s a reason
And if I’ll ever see it
But I wanna believe it
So don’t give up on me yet