It’s a wonderful thing to talk about the scriptures with other people, because often others see things I’ve never seen before, or help me see a scripture in a whole new way.

Recently, I was in a small group discussion about the plan of salvation (God’s plan for our happiness and help in this life and life with Him in the next). We were talking about Jesus Christ’s central role in that plan, and considering scriptures from the Book of Mormon that help teach about the Savior.

There are a lot of scriptures from the Book of Mormon that come to mind for me, but I was so moved to hear what scripture a friend chose to focus on.

It’s found in 1 Nephi 21:16.

But first, some context for the verse.

In this part of the Book of Mormon, Nephi, an ancient prophet-historian whose father, Lehi, had been guided by God to leave Jerusalem with his family (around 600 B.C.) and come to the American continent. They were brought out of Jerusalem to protect them from the destruction that came when Babylon invaded Israel. They also were guided to create a record of prophecies of Jesus Christ and His dealings with a branch of the house of Israel people who came to the New World.

Nephi was teaching his people about Christ — and writing for people in the future as well, especially the house of Israel — quoting or summarizing the teachings of various prophets from the Old World.

But he focused a lot of his attention on the writings of Isaiah, which writings they had with them.

“And I, Nephi, have written these things unto my people, that perhaps I might persuade them that they would remember the Lord their Redeemer. Wherefore, I speak unto all the house of Israel, if it so be that they should obtain these things…

“Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, did teach my brethren these things; and it came to pass that I did read many things to them, which were engraven upon the plates of brass, that they might know concerning the doings of the Lord in other lands, among people of old. And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah….”

(1 Nephi 19:18-19, 22-23)

My friend shared one of the beautiful, short verses from Isaiah that Nephi quotes.

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. (See also Isaiah 49:16)

Many scholars (and others) interpret the walls in this verse to mean the walls of Jerusalem or Zion, and that is always what comes to mind when I hear or read this verse. Historically, this interpretation makes sense. Isaiah was always writing for both the present and the future.

But my friend shared the verse in a personal way to illustrate Jesus’ love for us, and he said something to this effect: “Jesus knows about the walls in your life. He knows what barriers are troubling you, what things feel like they are in the way as you move along in your journey.”

I believe this, and I was grateful for my friend’s insights into this short but power-packed verse about the mercy and love of Jesus Christ. I recommend the entire chapter for more about God’s love for us, His children, and His commitment to help and care for us.

The post “Thy walls are continually before me” appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes life can present what feels like impossible situations that we don’t know how to face. The scriptures can give us insight into how we can trust in the Lord in such times.

Here, Rachel, a Latter-day Saint college student, writes some insights from chapters 21-23 in Mosiah (in The Book of Mormon) about relying on God in times of trial.

In the Book of Mormon, Mosiah 21 talks about the people who were living under King Noah until captured by the Lamanites. This bondage was prophesied by Abinadi when he was speaking to King Noah and his priests (Mosiah 12:2). The promises the Lord makes in the following verses describe this bondage, stating they will be smitten (verses 3-7). These promises are “shall” and “will” statements, completely unconditional. However, in verse 8, there is one conditional statement. The Lord (through Abinadi) states that the people will be completely destroyed EXCEPT they repent.

In Mosiah 21, we see the fulfillment (a lot of the same wording from Mosiah 12:2-7 is in Mosiah 21:3). In verse 5 it states, “there was no way that they could deliver themselves out of [the Lamanites’] hands.” Yet verses 7, 11, and 12 tell of three attempts by the people to deliver themselves.

To put this in the context of our lives, how many times do we try to save ourselves from “bondage”? Our sins, sadness, fear, anxiety, etc. can only be taken away through help of Jesus Christ and His infinite Atonement. These people in chapter 21 suffered major losses because they tried to save themselves, but were not destroyed because, as it says in verse 13-14, “they did humble themselves… and they did cry mightily to God.” God slowly helped their situation, softening the hearts of the Lamanites (verse 15) and helping them “prosper by degrees” (verse 16). Ammon later comes and frees them from bondage. 

In contrast, Mosiah 23 tells of the bondage of the rest of King Noah’s people. Even though Alma and the righteous people who followed him had escaped King Noah’s guards and started their own lives, the prophesy of bondage still applied. The Lord followed through, but their reaction was different. Before the Lamanites even arrived at the land of Helam, the people ran to Alma, the prophet, and he calmed the people, and told them to rely on God (verse 27). They were in the same situation as the people of Limhi; verse 23 says that “none could deliver them but the Lord.” But because they chose to rely on His strength, instead of their own, in Mosiah 24:15, the Lord makes their burdens light. Because of their faith, the Lord helped them escape bondage the next day. 

If we choose to rely on God, and his strength and power, before, during, and after the bondage comes, our burdens will be made light.

Both of these groups of people eventually arrived in the Land of Zarahemla. One just took a longer and harder road. Burdens and trials will come, so we might as well make it easier for ourselves by relying on God.

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Today, I heard some hard news from a friend and read a pain-filled comment here at our site. And as I opened up a page to post a new post, the following song came on.

This was not my original intent for a post, but I think it’s what I want to share today.

Life can be really, really hard, with unexpected twists and turns. Sometimes even our greatest fears can happen, and we can wonder where God is in it all.

This song from Hilary Weeks captures a powerful truth — that God’s compensatory blessings are real, and especially that the pain we go through can help us come to really know who He is and why He sent His Son.

Truth be told, I used to hate songs like this, because I couldn’t see past the pain and questions that pressed on my mind and soul. So I’m not trying to suggest that it’s easy to see past the pain and let God in. It is a process, and it’s personal, and only God knows the timing and unfolding of our lives. But I know now that He really does want to be with me in my pain. Faith won’t always prevent the hard stuff, but it can help us hope and trust that we can find Him in our heartbreak.

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Who am I to judge another
When I walk imperfectly?
In the quiet heart is hidden
Sorrow that the eye can’t see.
Who am I to judge another?

Lord, I Would Follow Thee

Hymns, #220

I have a friend who has suffered for years with depression, and at certain points along the way of her hard journey, she has been bedridden. A few years ago, as she was starting to find her way out of a serious bout with this depression, she had an unusual impression.

“Go visit the women in your stake.”

She took this prompting seriously, and dedicated a year and a half of her life visiting around 500 women, most of them in their homes. Many of them didn’t know what to make of it at first. Is she trying to sell me something? What is this about?

It was simply about following God’s will for her — and was something that has blessed many women’s lives, including my own.

One of the things that strikes me most about her experience (besides her incredible courage in facing her fears and her trust in God to act with such faith) is this:

“Michelle,” she says, “if there is anything I learned from that experience, it’s that every person, without exception, is dealing with something.” Because she took the time to visit women in their homes, in their own safe space, and because she had no other motive than to reach out and listen, women responded. They opened up. They got real about how hard life can be.

I’m reminded of something President Henry B. Eyring said in a talk years ago:

When I was a young man, I served as counselor to a wise district president in the Church. He tried to teach me. One of the things I remember wondering about was this advice he gave: “When you meet someone, treat them as if they were in serious trouble, and you will be right more than half the time.”

I thought then that he was pessimistic. Now, more than 40 years later, I can see how well he understood the world and life.

All I would add to that wise idea, based on my friend’s decent sample size in Mormonville, Utah, is that you will probably be right almost all of the time.

In the quiet heart is hidden sorrow that the eye can’t see.

The next time you ask someone how they are doing, take a few seconds to look her in the eye and wait and listen. Maybe she won’t feel like opening up. But maybe she will. Or maybe the Spirit will at some time prompt you to do something that she might need, even if they don’t ask.

And watch for how God might be wanting to reach out to you in your own private struggles. He is real. He loves you. Tender mercies don’t always come in the way we want or expect, but they do come. They are real.

One last link I wanted to share is this beautiful talk by President Thomas S. Monson. The story of Tiffany moves me to tears when I read it.

And this quote from the talk is one of my all-time favorites:

“My dear sisters, your Heavenly Father loves you—each of you. That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not changed by your talents and abilities. It is simply there. It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there.”

I pray that you can feel God’s love today. And know that He knows what is in your heart and life, and that He will even consecrate your trials — as He did with my friend’s — for your good and the blessing of others’ lives…in His way and timing.

The post In the Quiet Heart appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

I love social media. And I hate it at the same time. I’m entering another Facebook fast for a couple of weeks because I find myself feeling overwhelmed at all that is there.

I’m particularly overwhelmed as of late by the tragedy and difficulty I see on my Facebook feed and in the news.

Perhaps I am more tender right now because a difficult trial has stared my family in the face this month. My mom was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. She began a brutal schedule of multiple chemotherapy drugs. That will be followed by surgery and then radiation and then more surgery.

I know this story isn’t new to many people. But cancer has never hit this hard and this close for me. And I’m feeling it. I’m feeling the fear and the reality of how fragile life is. I’m wishing so much that my mom wouldn’t have to go through this. I’m terrified of my own mortality, too.

And then I think of my friend’s five-year-old daughter going through a bone marrow transplant.

Or my mission companion who found at the end of last year that her cancer had spread to several parts of her body. She just finished six months of experimental treatments.

I think of the many women I know (through this forum) who are facing the pain of their husband’s sexual addiction). [That forum was created because this site was becoming overwhelmed with such need and I wanted them to have a place where they could support each other.]

I think of those who are mourning the death of a loved one.

Nevermind the international headlines that are crushingly heart-breaking, frightening, and overwhelming.

I am sure you could add your own weight to the pile. I sometimes say that we all have our stuff. And sometimes I just plain don’t like that reality. It can be hard. It can be hard not to wonder why. Why does God let so many horrible and hard things happen? I am a woman of faith, and my faith gives me great comfort and perspective, and yet I wrestle sometimes with all my soul against these questions — not because I don’t know some of the answers we do have, but because sometimes in the moment I can’t feel the answers. I absorb so much of the hard that goes on around me that I lose space within myself to feel peace.

For me, attending 12-step meetings helps me learn to let God carry the weight in my life. In last week’s meeting, the scripture from Alma 7:11-12 was read:

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

That scripture has always been one of my favorites. But last week, it hit me in a different way. I realized that that scripture can help me remember how I try too often to take others’ pains, sicknesses, and struggles upon myself. (I try to take on even my own stuff too much, too. I still struggle with the illusion that it’s my job to fix everything that is wrong with myself and my life. Oh, how damaging the illusion of control can be!)

I am grateful to have the opportunity on this Sabbath day to remember Jesus. Again. We have the sacrament every week for a reason. Because it’s so, so easy to forget that the Atonement really is big enough for all that we see and struggle, both individually and collectively.

He took it all upon Himself — not just sin, but somehow He experienced the actual, mortal weight of all that we experience.

When anxiety, sadness, or worry threaten to overtake me, I find that looking for tender mercies in my life helps me remember Him. He blessed me with a sweet tender mercy this week that was so clearly from Him. I am grateful.

Talking with and hearing from others also helps me remember.

So tell me. How do you let Him carry you? How do you lay your burdens at His feet? What helps you when life starts to feel overwhelming?

The post Letting Jesus take the load appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

This is a powerful testimony shared by a young woman who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She shares how the Book of Mormon helped her feel peace and power through trials and difficulties in her life.

I love how the verse she quotes is directed to youth (Alma 36:3):

And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.

I’m also impressed that she memorized the scripture that had an impact on her. It reminds me of something Richard G. Scott said:

“Learning, pondering, searching, and memorizing scriptures is like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths that can be called upon anytime, anywhere in the world.”

I want to echo Makenzie’s testimony: “If you do have faith, you will find answers.”

[If you or someone you know is interested in doing the two-minute challenge, email bookmormon2day@gmail.com

The post Patience, trials, and faith — one Mormon young woman’s testimony appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Eliza has a rare  disease named Metachromatic Leukodystrophy or MLD. It’s progressive and terminal. At the age of 18 months she was an adorable little girl doing normal things for her age. Her physical state began to deteriorate; she walked less and crawled more. Within a short while she could no longer run or jump. Her condition continued to deteriorate; it took some time before she was finally diagnoised with this condition. In 2007 about a month after being diagnoised with MLD, Eliza lost her ability to crawl, sit up, talk and eat independently. She now has a feeding tube. She can no longer see but she does respond to music and sounds. She loves to have books read to her. For the past two years her mother has been taking her to school with the belief that Eliza can hear and learn. It has been an incrediable experience for so many to meet Eliza,  especially the  children from her class as they learned to love and care for Eliza.

Callahan and Nikki are remarkable parents. They have been blessed with another sweet daughter named Caroline; she was born on her mother’s birthday. She’s  a special gift to this amazing family.

Through these difficult years, Eliza’s parents have  been successful in raising donations and increasing awarness of MLD. They have hopes the medical world will find a cure for diseases like this. They have been involved in TeamGive, an organization that helps to raise money and awareness of rare neurological diseases. As quoted from that web site: “Every day a child in the United States is diagnosed with a debilitating and life-threatening neurological disease. Teamgive’s mission is to fund the research that will provide cures and treatments for neurological diseases afflicting children. With your help teamgive will find cures for the neurological diseases afflicting children like Eliza”.

Eliza’s parents also started “Eliza’s Library.” They collect children’s book to be distrubuted to various hospitals, physician offices and other medical facilities. These books are being placed all over the world.  To date they have collected and placed more than 22, 000 books. Many have been gathered as service projects and Eagle projects. Anyone  interested in this type of activity for church or community, can learn more about it at Eliza’s Library .

In June of this year Eliza’s father, Callahan was participating in the Rockwell Relay Race for Teamgive. This annual race is 300 miles on bike from Moab to St. George, Utah. Callahan was on the last part of the race. He had reached the summit of Boulder Mountain when he hit a cattle guard,  his tire stopped instantly he was propelled over his handlebars. He remained consicious and remembered flipping and then falling onto his back and right side striking the back of his head. He couldn’t move and was having a hard time breathing.  Another cyclist was right behind him and witnessed the accident. He stopped, and the rest of the relay team were just a few minutes behind in the support car. He was given a Priesthood blessing from his teammates, within minutes a sports medicine physician arrived and helped to stablilize his neck in a brace.  One support member had been given a satelite phone earlier without explanation. That phone made it possible to call for Life Flight which transported him to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo. At first Nikki was told that he had a partial spinal cord injury. She found him in tremendous pain and his legs were cramping. He couldn’t move his body. He was taken to the Neuro Shock ICU. The MRI and scans comfirmed that he had a crushed C4 Vertebrae which had pushed it 4.5 mm into his spinal column causing bruising and swelling. It would require surgery. The swelling needed  to go down before they could attempt surgery. He could only slightly bend his right leg and with considerable effort, move his arms up and down. He could not move his hands, fingers, toes or his left leg but there was hope that after the swelling decreased movement would improve.

After surgery  came weeks of rehabilitation. He worked hard to learn to walk and climb stairs again. He is doing well except for some of the fine motor skills in his fingers. He is expected to fully recover. The complete story of Callahan can be found on “Eliza’s Wish” under; “How Is She Doing”. Here are some photo’s of Callahan and his sweet family before and after his recovery.

As a family we know that Eliza and Callahan have been greatly blessed by the prayers of many throughout the world. There have been so many tender mercies from the Lord. There have been times of fasting, praying and Priesthood blessings where small  miracles have occured. Eliza has touched the hearts of thousands. Here are some closing thoughts from Eliza’s mother Nikki: “It is amazing how much MLD has changed our lives; we hope it has changed us for the better. Eliza has taught us how to live life to the fullest and not take anything for granted. We get excited about the smallest things; smiles, sneezes, and her little stretches as she yawns. She has touched countless lives, without being able to say a word. She is truly a silent example to all who come in contact with her. We feel fortunate to be her parents and to learn from her. She has taught us far more than we will ever teach her.” Take a few moments to read about Eliza and her family. You will be happy that you looked into Eliza’s world.

It is such a sweet experience to witness this wonderful family in action. They have handled  this adversity with a great deal of faith.  The next day after Callahan’s accident we drove to the hospital to see how he was doing. Being a nurse I was expecting to see him under sedation and unable to communicate. We were so amazed that we found him lying there in his bed with his neck brace on and greeted us with a big smile. As he smiled;  I relaxed knowing that Callahan would be OK. I felt the comfort of the Spirit testify to me that all would be well. My husband’s brother reviewed with us all that had happened the night before and there was no doubt in our minds that he was watched over by a loving Heavenly Father and that miracles had occured that night. Because of these miracles we knew that Callahan would prevail; he would recover. We  know that Callahan and Nikki have great faith in the power of prayer and priesthood blessings. They are a living testimony of their belief. In all of the adversity that they have had with their daughter Eliza and now with Callahan they have been wonderful examples of pure faith. They have strengthened our own testimonies and those of countless others.

Each Christmas they have a tradition where all who would like to send  cards or letters to Eliza telling her about the service that has been given during the Christmas Season may do so @ Eliza’s Library – 90W. 500S. # 118 Bountiful, Utah 84010. The  letters are place under her Christmas tree.  On Christmas morning her parents read each of these sweet letters to Eliza.  Here is the link to the newspaper article telling about this event. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705354077/True-Christmas-spirit-grows-on-Elizas-tree.html?pg=1

By LeAnn At Living Waters

The post Eliza’s Wish (a post about family, faith, trials, miracles, and service) appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Counterparts

©1984 by Susan Noyes Anderson

Great Grandma walked across the plains,
her blue dress grey with travel stains.
She bore the hardship, for she knew
her faith in the Lord would see her through.
Her once pink hands were calloused now,
and she had said good-bye somehow
to husband dear and children lost,
praying the end would be worth the cost.

I walk the darkened city street,
my hurried footsteps keeping beat
with a trembling heart, but I swallow my fear,
reminding myself that the Lord is near.
I wear my travel stains deep inside,
where I battle iniquity’s rising tide,
praying husband and children will not be lost;
and that the end will be worth the cost.

We all must walk these earthly miles;
different times bring different trials.

The post Counterparts: Our Pioneer Heritage (Poetry) appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

I know this is the true Church of our Savior Jesus Christ and that we are led by a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson.

My story:

My life challenges started at a very early age. I was eight years old when I was first molested. He was a friend of the family and I had a child’s love for him. He broke my heart and severely injured my spirit. Unable to tell my parents, my trust of people around me was shaken. I became very insecure and frightened of life. When I reached my teens, my insecurities and lack of participation in school activities became evident and a concerned counselor started drawing me out and I felt comforted by his concern. But, once again my life was jolted when he betrayed my trust. One day he offered me a ride home. I accepted his kind gesture. I soon realized he had other intentions. We took a ride into the hills near our town and the unspeakable happened. Once again I was shaken to the core and afraid to go to my parents. I had no idea how to deal with any of this and so I pushed the thoughts and feelings deep inside. I didn’t have any close friends at school and my insecurities became overwhelming.

I started going to a neighborhood church and felt some comfort but still I had no answers to why bad things were always happening to me. I was convinced that bad things only happened to bad people ant that I was being punished. I met a boy who belonged to another church and we started dating. School became increasingly harder for me to deal with. When I was sixteen and my boyfriend nineteen I convinced my parents to allow me to get married. I was then dropped out of school.

A couple of years into my marriage my husband and I started having very heated arguments. We were both so young and immature. It became an abusive relationship with my husband using physical force. After our son was born, I decided that the best thing for both me and my son was to leave this marriage. I was more fearful for my son than for myself. Once again I was left with the thought and feeling that I was a bad person.

It was very hard being a single mom at the young age of nineteen. I started having severe migraine headaches that often made it hard for me to go to work, or be a mother. I started suffering with depression as well. I had long since stopped going to church, I couldn’t see the point. My friends changed and my lifestyle became one that I am now ashamed of. And soon drugs became an escape from all my worries. At least I thought so at the time.

Even though this was a time of spiraling out of control, I did meet a man who was stable and who had healthy life goals and was willing to be a father to my son, and so, we were married and a year later we had a daughter. I still suffered with migraines and depression. I was also still painfully insecure and that was a problem for my very outgoing, enthusiastic husband.

At some point all of these physical, mental and social challenges became too overwhelming. Prescription drugs and illegal drugs became a part of my life again. I was what you would call a “functioning addict.” My marriage of seventeen years ended and I really went into a tailspin. I became so frightened of life. I was completely convinced that my life had no worth.

Mid-October 2004 I tried to end my life. I was found unconscious, barely breathing and rushed to the hospital. I was put on a respirator. My two sisters, one in California, and the other in Utah, were contacted by my former husband who is a doctor. They have since told me they thought they were coming to bury me.

After five days I regained consciousness and was taken off the respirator. My two sisters were standing by my bedside. Both my sisters have been members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since they were in their teens. One of my sisters reached over the safety bar on the bed and laid her hand on my arm and asked me if I would like a priesthood blessing. At the same time that she asked that question there was a whisper in my other ear. Jesus whispered, “Are you ready to do it my way?” I knew it was Him because of how specific those words were to me. I also knew it was Jesus because of the love, warmth and comfort that fell on me. I have never felt such love in all my life! Such pure love! I said yes to both questions. Any questions I had about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were answered in that moment.

It’s my testimony that Jesus lives and his Atonement will make everything right. Heavenly Father’s love has healed me. I do not suffer from depression, overwhelming insecurities, nor do I feel like I’m a bad person. As my faith grows and my knowledge of the gospel grows I realize that bad things happen to good people. We are here to be tested. Our lives are subjected sometimes to those who choose to use their agency in a negative manner. When those times befall us, He will comfort us.

Before I was baptized, I worried about forgiveness. I worried about whether Heavenly Father would forgive me if I couldn’t forgive those who had trespassed against me. Matthew 6:14-15, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” I talked to Elder Hansen (who was the missionary teaching me and who would be baptizing me) about my concerns and he suggested that I fast and pray. I also talked to the local Relief Society President. Sister Hunt loaned me her scriptures and showed me how to use the Topical Guide and the Bible Dictionary. I took her scriptures home, fasted, prayed and read scriptures that night and the next day. I can’t really say that I had any earth shaking revelations, but at some point, an indescribable peaceful feeling came upon me. I no longer had any ill feelings left and I was able to pray sincerely for those who had hurt me. I then felt like I could enter the baptismal waters and enter into those sacred covenants and start my journey of enduring to the end.

I know I’m not alone on this journey. I know that I can call on Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, to help me through any challenge and he will give me the strength to endure.

—

Editor’s note: This post originally appeared on this site on June 12, 2008.

The post When Bad Things Happen to Good People: One woman’s journey to overcome the effects of abuse and addiction appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

I had a really hard day Sunday. Actually, it’s been a hard month. (We all have them, right?) I went to church feeling rather numb and weary. I felt like I needed some strength and help with things pressing on my soul. But I wasn’t even sure what I needed.

But God knew.

Several things happened…just little things, but all together, they wove a pattern in my day that let me know that God was aware of my needs. He gave me answers and perspective as I listened to the Young Women General Meeting with my family. He filled my heart with peace and love as I curled up on the couch with my children. He addressed concerns I had as I read through a Church magazine. He gave me thoughts that brought clarity about questions and concerns I had been wrestling with for the past several weeks.

A few years ago, Elder David A. Bednar gave a talk entitled, “The Tender Mercies of the Lord.” It was a talk that impacted members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a significant way. Why do I say this? Because “tender mercies” was not really part of our Mormon vocabulary before this talk (although the phrase is found in scripture). He helped validate what we have known and felt in our lives — that God really is there, He is aware of us, that His help and guidance and support is real. As we seek Him, we can find Him through tender mercies.

One of the things that struck me about his talk was the repeated emphasis on one way we can know that divine help has been given. He said that “the tender mercies of the Lord are real and that they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Often, the Lord’s timing of His tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them.”

I am grateful that Elder Bednar gave this talk because I feel it has helped me try to be more aware of the tender mercies of the Lord in my life. It’s especially when the timing just seems too uncanny that I know to try to see with spiritual eyes how the Lord is helping me along.

Tender mercies come both at times of great joy and also during times of trial. I have found that sometimes they are subtle, and often there are, as I experienced Sunday, patterns in the small things that happen that leave a trail of light, helping me feel closer to heaven. Sometimes tender mercies come in one day, and sometimes they trickle into my life over days, weeks, months, even years. Sometimes they come only after significant struggle, prayer, pondering, and searching. But they come. Becoming more aware of tender mercies in my life has strengthened my conviction that God knows me personally and is aware of the details of my life.

I love this from Elder Bednar:

When words cannot provide the solace we need or express the joy we feel, when it is simply futile to attempt to explain that which is unexplainable, when logic and reason cannot yield adequate understanding about the injustices and inequities of life, when mortal experience and evaluation are insufficient to produce a desired outcome, and when it seems that perhaps we are so totally alone, truly we are blessed by the tender mercies of the Lord and made mighty even unto the power of deliverance (see 1 Ne. 1:20).

I know God is there and that through tender mercies, you and I can feel and know of His love and the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Church recently created a video with highlights from this wonderful talk. I wanted to share it here.

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