How many of you wish that God would just tell you what you
are supposed to do already so you don’t have to try and figure it out anymore?
I feel like just waving a white flag around and saying “I give up. Just tell me
what I am supposed to do and I’ll do it.” A “Jesus take the wheel” kind of
thing. I know my life’s really not that hard; I just taught in Gospel Doctrine
all about the trials and faith of the early saints.
I hope that no one loses faith in me as a strong undoubting
woman. Really, I have no doubts, I just am human and in moments of weakness I
sometimes wish it would be easier. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to wish for
some other way, even the Savior felt that “Saying, Father, if thou be willing,
remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke
22:42). That is the point that all humans must needs get to, (Mosiah 3:19).
Today in church we talked a lot about the trials that come
and why. The parable of the currant bush was brought up. I’m putting up the
link for the mormon message because it is so good. Heavenly Father is the
gardener and He loves his creations. He would never give us something painful
if it were not for a greater purpose. We may not always know what we will be
after the trial, but God does know. That is why I have no doubts. His promises
are sure. I know that not only because I have seen it, but I have felt it. This
was a quote in the Gospel Doctrine manual that struck me. It’s from Elder M.
Russell Ballard.
“Life
isn’t always easy. At some point in our journey we may feel much as the
pioneers did as they crossed Iowa—up to our knees in mud, forced to bury some
of our dreams along the way. We all face rocky ridges, with the wind in our
face and winter coming on too soon. Sometimes it seems as though there is no
end to the dust that stings our eyes and clouds our vision. Sharp edges of
despair and discouragement jut out of the terrain to slow our passage. …
Occasionally we reach the top of one summit in life, as the pioneers did, only
to see more mountain peaks ahead, higher and more challenging than the one we
have just traversed. Tapping unseen reservoirs of faith and endurance, we, as
did our forebears, inch ever forward toward that day when our voices can join
with those of all pioneers who have endured in faith, singing, ‘All is well!
All is well!’ ”
One night I was grading papers, I do that every night,
but this particular night I was reading some papers that really shook me. These
are only 16 and 17 year olds and they have faced trials I could never imagine
experiencing. It got me wondering why God would do that. I decided to google, “is
God there?” Of course Mormon.org showed up first. So then I googled “why am I
here?” Again, mormon.org was the first one up. In reading what the church said
in regards to these questions, I realized again that God does love me; He loves
all of us. I don’t understand why some things happen or don’t happen, but I
know the Lord loves us more than we can even imagine. Joseph Smith said “Sometimes
the Lord brings us lower, so He can lift us higher.” I know that’s true. Trust in Him. Know that He is in all things
and He does it all for you. I hope one
day I can return to His presence and see things as He does and realize just how
much He really did love me. Till then, I will just trust.
This is the link for the currant bush mormon message.
If you want a good talk about submitting to the Lord, read "The Will of the Father in All Things" by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.
or, "Willing to Submit" by Elder Neal A. Maxwell.
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