This post is dedicated to a friend who has just lost her mother. The ache of her whole soul, I cannot imagine. The pain she feels can be soothed by the touch of the Master, but will never be fully gone in this earthly life. So what comfort could I possibly offer? I am going to give it a try, but I am relying heavily upon the words of Elder Jeffery R. Holland. I can't find this talk yet online, but it was given at the CES fireside of September 2008.
During conference today we looked up the meaning to the word "vicissitude". It means- "a change, especially a complete change, of condition or circumstances, as of fortune". My friend is experiencing a vicissitude of life right now. Her life has changed forever. Elder Holland taught that some hardships have to happen. He reminded us of just how hopeless life would be with these hardships were it not for the atonement of Jesus Christ. Then, he taught about one of the great lessons that comes from the prophet Joseph Smith's time in Liberty Jail. He compared Liberty Jail to a "prison temple". Prison temple? Can the two words possibly be put side by side? Could anything sacred and holy possibly have occurred in such a horrific atmosphere? Yes! Sections 121-123 of the "Doctrine and Covenants" show us beauty and majesty of comforting words, and the merciful manifestation of God's loving response. Elder Holland said that you can have sacred, revelatory experiences even in the most horrific of circumstances. "Man's extremity is God's opportunity."
The last verse of section 123 says- "...cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed". Sometimes in times of trial when we are stretched to what we think is beyond our capacity to bare, all we can do is stand still and wait to see His arm to be revealed.
My friend would probably rather not have this "opportunity" to learn from God, and can't imagine doing anything cheerful right now. But, I know that above all else, no matter what condition our hearts might be in (broken or whole), God will give us his reassuring love unceasingly...and we will feel it more easily if we will stand still and wait to see His arm to be revealed.
Much love and hugs my friend....
1 comment:
I read the first few lines of this post but didn't want to intrued. Here's auto link to that talk.
http://www.lds.org/broadcast/ces/0,7341,395,00.html
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