Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Just a quick thought
I constantly learn things through my personal scripture study- as I know we all do. I just wanted to share something with you that struck me a couple of weeks ago. I was reading Alma 17 and in verse 10 it says, "And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them with his Spirit and said unto them: Be comforted. And they were comforted." That last part is the key. I wonder how many times we ask the Lord for peace and comfort when we are faced with trials only to keep complaining when the Lord sends us what we asked for instead of removing the hardships we face? When the Lord comforted Ammon and his brethren, they didn't ask for their lives to be any easier, they instead were content in the knowledge that the Lord was aware of them and would bless them in spite of the fact that they would have many afflictions. This really begs the question, is it possible to be at peace when we are being tossed about by the winds of Satan? I believe the answer is a resounding yes. I think about Joseph Smith's prayer from Liberty Jail and the Lord responding to him that his trials were but for a moment and if he endured them faithfully he would be blessed beyond measure. We must keep our eyes on the prize and allow ourselves to be comforted with the knowledge that if we endure all things well, we will be admitted into the presence of the Lord.
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3 comments:
When Dad had his last big stroke, I knew exactly what to do. He was unconscious and his future was uncertain. I had been through this before and have learned through all these different trials that I am definitely not in control of things like this. So the first thing I did was to go find a quiet spot at the hospital where I could talk to the Lord and seek His comfort. Again I reiterated to Him that He was in control and knew all things from the beginning to the end. I did not specifically ask that Jim be healed - only that the Lord would comfort me no matter what the final outcome would be.
From that moment on, I felt complete peace. I had no special feeling whether or not Jim would survive or even survive without major physical damage, but I KNEW that the Lord would watch over me and my family.
When the girls came to see Jim, they were all worried and some were crying. One of them said, "Mom, you don't even act like you care!" I told them to go find a quiet place and have a conversation with the One that was in charge here - and that wouldn't be a doctor.
It felt like His arms were wrapped all around me, cushioning me from the slings and arrows of tragedy that come our way.
I agree with you 100% -- keep your eye on the prize and allow yourself to be comforted.
I actually had a somewhat similar feeling, but in regards to Ammon and his recent surgery. There were a lot of risks with this surgery (and more to come with the next), and things could have easily gone wrong. But when Dad gave him a blessing the night before his surgery, I actually felt the peace Mom was talking about for Ammon and how he'd do in surgery.
It was actually very amusing to me, because this was one of the first times I can actually, honestly say the words of a blessing have brought peace -- or I guess, as Jason quoted, the first time I've actually fit the scripture "And they were comforted." -Jess
What a valuable posting. It was great to read your original posting, and wonderful to read the comments, too.
Dad Clark
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