“The Chosen” creator Dallas Jenkins told Brigham Young University (BYU) students on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, to embrace failure and trust in God’s plan for them.
His forum message to a packed Marriott Center audience centered on his own experiences with failure, particularly the disappointing performance of his film “The Resurrection of Gavin Stone” in January 2017. Despite high hopes and significant backing, the film had poor box office results, leaving Jenkins questioning his path and purpose.
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“God’s not the author of failure. That’s what we’ve been told our whole lives. And I failed,” he admitted, reflecting on the emotional and spiritual turmoil that followed.
A turning point came when Jenkins received an unexpected message from a friend. The message was inspired by the biblical story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish. “Remember,” his friend said, “it’s not your job to feed the 5,000; it’s only to provide the loaves and fish.”
This profoundly affected Jenkins, helping him realign his focus and trust in God’s plan. This principle, which emphasizes the importance of offering one’s best and leaving the results to God, became a guiding force in his life and work.
Jenkins also recounted the miraculous success of “The Chosen,” which has four seasons available to watch online. He attributed this achievement to divine intervention and the support of a dedicated global community. “[At the beginning of the project], we knew even more than ever that if God was going to take us on this journey, it was going to be His journey, and not mine,” Jenkins said.
One-third of “The Chosen” is filmed on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ film set in Goshen, Utah, Jenkins said.
Throughout his address, Jenkins encouraged students to embrace failures and trust in a higher purpose.
“Whether in failure or success, the message is the same: When you make your five loaves and two fish … and He deems it worthy of acceptance, the transaction is over,” he advised, urging them to find peace and purpose in their efforts, regardless of the outcome. “I implore you, starting now: Don’t wait until you’re in your 40s [like I am] for God to break you down and bring you to your knees in surrender. Starting now, get to this place — this superpower, actually — that comes from giving that up to God. It is not your job to feed the 5,000; it is only to provide the loaves and fish.”