Beyond the Anger: Finding Strength in Empathy and Patience by Jacob

Beyond the Anger: Finding Strength in Empathy and Patience by Jacob - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

I faced a serious conflict when I first started my two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was assigned to serve in Puerto Montt, Chile. I attempted to prepare by learning Spanish before entering the mission, but it was very difficult, and I made little progress in my language skills. I was able to learn a little more in the missionary training center and felt a little better prepared to start teaching people. Arriving in Chile, I was filled with excitement and anxiety, with very little knowledge of the language or the culture.

My real growth opportunity came six weeks into my mission after I was transferred to an island called Chiloe and assigned a new companion, Elder Lyon. On our first day together, I thought he was a cool guy and that we would work well together, until a minor inconvenience caused Elder Lyon to blow up in anger. I quickly realized I would be serving 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a person who had serious anger issues, a short temper, and an extreme case of insecurity. Living in a foreign country, unable to communicate fluently, and living with someone who had severe anger issues became the biggest challenge in my life up to that point.

For six weeks while living with Elder Lyon in this situation, I struggled with sadness and frustration. I felt annoyed and trapped, but realized I had to change my own response to the situation. I learned the power of prayer during this challenging time. I prayed to God, asking for help overcoming this challenge and for the patience and strength to endure. I learned that I could change how I saw the situation and how I reacted, without changing the conflict, but that would shift my mindset.

This experience taught me patience and empathy. First, I learned patience for both Elder Lyon and myself as I navigated the situation. I saw the importance of healthy relationships. While this realization came too late with Elder Lyon, I applied it with other companions and as a Zone leader, using empathy and patience to guide them. I found true strength in building others up, helping them achieve their goals, and being a better friend. Acting from pride is harmful; it is better to show love and support. I learned to look past anger to understand its root. The lasting lesson was to help others identify and overcome their challenges, not tear them down. I am grateful for this difficult experience, which taught me to rely on God and to build healthy relationships, which can be done through patience and empathy.