Thanks #20

I am thankful for the opportunity to speak in church so often right now. I have always wanted to speak with this particular high councilman because I admire his wife so much. Today was finally my chance. 

For me, writing a talk is always a very sacred experience. This one was no different, except it was more of a struggle than it typically is. Funny enough, our Stake President unexpectedly joined this meeting. A bit intimidating - yes!  

3^rd ward – November 20, 2022

I consider myself fortunate to have children that are both very inquisitive. They are never hesitant to approach me with the most important life questions. Peter, who is 14, asks questions like: What can I have to eat, or what can I have to eat, or what can I have to eat.

Luke is 11. He likes to ask me questions like: what was your favorite video game when you were young, what is your favorite number, do you like to go to Disneyland or Lagoon better, what part of yourself would you like to change, and what is the difference between the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

Recently, I was busily cleaning my bathroom when I heard Luke hurl, yet another, question in my direction. He said; “Mom have you ever felt physical pain”. My instant response was to tell him about the time I broke my toe, or the many painful trips to the orthodontist for to have my braces adjusted, or, worst of all, when I went into labor with his older brother. After verbally hurling my answers back to him, I began pondering the potential correlation between emotional and physical pain. For me, I’ve felt emotional pain far more frequently. Later that day, Luke and I had another discussion about whether or not we think emotional pain can cause physical pain.  The thoughts we shared together on that day will be always be a treasured memory.

In a conference talk given in April 2011 Elder Kent F. Richards shared the following:

“As a surgeon, I found that a significant portion of my professional time was taken up with the subject of pain. Of necessity I surgically inflicted it almost daily—and much of my effort was then spent trying to control and alleviate pain.

I have pondered about the purpose of pain. None of us is immune from experiencing pain. I have seen people cope with it very differently. Some turn away from God in anger, and others allow their suffering to bring them closer to God.

I am fully confident that during times of unrelenting physical and emotional pain you have found many ways to draw closer to God.

 

Heidi shared her experience with pain in last month’s youth magazine. She said;

“I’ve always had anxiety. When I was 17, I noticed that most of my anxiety attacks occurred at church.

I was always told that if I’d read the scriptures, say my prayers, and go to church, I’d be happy. Well, that wasn’t the case for me. I’d enjoy the first few minutes of church, and then a panic attack would begin.

My bishop helped me realize that the spiritual expectations I had set for myself may be the cause. I thought I had to have the same miraculous spiritual experiences I heard about. It made sense to me that this pressure could cause my repeated attacks.

One day someone asked me, “Why do you still go to church?” I was taken aback. Why was I still going to church? I wasn’t forced to go. I didn’t receive any miraculous blessings. But I realized that I kept going because I knew the Church was true and that Heavenly Father wanted me to be there. My love for Him overpowered my desire to be free from anxiety.

 

Sometimes I wanted immediate blessings from Heavenly Father. I thought He’d bless me with fewer panic attacks just because I went to church. But I’ve learned that it doesn’t work that way. I often have to push through the attacks and attend church before I can see His blessings.

Now I’ve realized I can also ask for help from my parents and medical professionals. I still have bad days, but they don’t control me. Instead, they help me prove to my Heavenly Father that I love Him and that I’ll fight through this challenge with His help.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus Christ asked if His trial could be lifted, but in perfect obedience to our Heavenly Father, He pushed through the greatest trial of all. Because of this, I know He will give me the strength to endure my trials as well.”

I was inspired by Heidi’s example of overcoming by continuing to do what she knows God wants her to do. She also actively looks to Jesus Christ as her example of endurance and strength. I know that Christ is our perfect example. With his help we can heal and overcome.

In my early morning Book of Mormon study sessions, I have been reading about the Savior’s long anticipated appearance to the Nephites. I have regularly inserted myself into these pages to obtain a better understanding of the feelings that were felt on that monumental day. Would I be among those who….

“while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center”

And again, I have pondered the feelings I would have felt if I had been there when the Nephites heard these words….

                Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name-hear ye him.

and what would I have done when I saw the Man descending out of heaven? Would I have been in frightened by the image, would I have recognized his glory and gaped in awe at the sight of him, or would I have fallen to his feet when I heard…..

Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.

Envisioning myself in attendance that day has been a powerful experience for me. I continue to try to be worthy of the Laurie Ann that might have been there on that day.

On Aug. 1, of this year President Nelson posted this message on his social media accounts. He said:

I plead with you to take charge of your testimony of Jesus Christ. Work for it. Own it. Care for it. Nurture it so that it will grow. Then watch for miracles to happen in your life.

Have you ever known someone whose testimony of Jesus Christ shines so brightly that you need to wear sunglasses? I have. How do they work for it? They study about Jesus Christ in the scriptures. They ponder ways to apply his words into their own daily lives. They own their testimony of Christ by frequently sharing in with others vocally, or in their daily example. They care for it by shunning anything that would distract or distance them from being ready for the Savior. They consider it a privilege to know of him and to faithfully serve him. They nurture their testimony by regularly kneeling in prayer with faith that answers will come. In prayer they also plead for clarification, understanding, and direction. They also consistently devote time immersing themselves in the scriptures with the expectation of making deep and meaningful correlations between the counsel given to ancient peoples and the counsel they desperately need.

I know that as you and I continue to deepen our testimonies of Christ by: working for it, owning it, caring for it, and nurturing it we will not struggle when confronted with what President Nelson recently described as on onslaught of sobering news. Instead, we can find safety and solace in the comforting inner peace Christ willing gives to disciples who wend their way closer to him.

I’m sure many of you know my friend, Marilyn Boucher. What some of you probably don’t know is that she is the choir director for my ward. Several months ago, we voted for songs we wanted to sing before the end of the year. It was no surprise to me when she later introduced to us the song that was chosen to be the 2018 Youth theme song. The first time we listened to it as a choir the tears poured down many of our faces. The words are tender and poignant.

As I read the words of this song to you, ponder those times when you’ve felt his peace……

 

There is peace in Christ

When we learn of Him.

Feel the love He felt for us

When He bore our sins.

 

Listen to His words.

Let them come alive.

If we know Him as He is,

There is peace in Christ.

 

There is peace in Christ

When we walk with Him

Through the streets of Galilee

To Jerusalem.

 

Mend the broken hearts.

Dry the tear-filled eyes.

When we live the way He lived,

There is peace in Christ.

 

He gives us hope

When hope is gone.

He gives us strength

When we can’t go on.

He gives us shelter

In the storms of life.

When there’s no peace on earth,

There is peace in Christ.

Brothers and Sisters peace can be found in the midst of pain – whether it’s physical or emotional. One of the names of Christ is: The Prince of Peace. This next story deeply touched my heart, and I hope it will touch yours too….

The Real Meaning Of Peace
Author Unknown

There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. The contest stirred the imagination of artists everywhere. Many artists wanted a chance at winning the prize. Paintings from far and wide began to arrive. 

The king looked at all the pictures, uncovering one peaceful scene after another as the on-lookers clapped and cheered. The tensions grew as only two pictures remained veiled. As the king pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd. 

It was a picture of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a beautiful blue sky with fluffy white clouds. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace. Surely this was the winner.

The king uncovered the last painting, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace? This picture had mountains like the previous painting but these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the king looked closely, he saw a little bird had built a nest on a branch of a tree. A tree that reached out in the direction of the tumultuous waterfall. Yet there, in the midst of the rush of angry water, undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, sat the mother bird on her nest – in perfect peace. 

The king chose the last picture.

….I know that you and I can be just like that bird sitting calmly on that nest. I know it because I have felt His peace in the midst of turbulence. I’ve felt it when I’ve listened to the words of our prophet, I’ve felt it as he has tenderly mended my broken heart, I’ve felt it when I’ve called to him in moments of unrelenting despair, I’ve felt it in simple everyday moments of inward reflection, and I’ve felt it here in your Sacrament meeting today.

Testimony