I invite you to keep this in mind, “In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something” (Dallin H. Oaks, “The Challenge to Become,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 32).
Sometimes in our journey of becoming, we need a reminder that Heavenly Father loves us, is mindful of us individually and we can trust Him.
I paraphrase and quote from a short story in the Spring 2018 issue of BYU Magazine.
A female BYU student one summer neared the end of BYU’s popular but exhausting 30-day desert survival course. She was a 100-pound sophomore with no prior outdoors experience. She and her fellow students were weak and hungry. As sunset approached, her instructor pointed to a crevice in a high canyon wall. She was to head there for her three-day solo, her first time ever to be alone. Getting there required crossing a muddy river, swollen from thunderstorms. She was terrified. Everything she carried was wrapped in a thin wool blanket. By the time she reached the bank she was soaked and “sobbing out desperate prayers.” She got stuck in quicksand. Eventually, nearly spent, she used a nearby plant root to pull herself out.
"... I was seeking refuge [from the rain and wind] in a dry spot along with every other creature in the desert around me. I hoped that snakes and scorpions would be the biggest of my concerns, but in my frenzied mind, lions, tigers, and bears didn’t seem out of the question.
"All [of] my fire-making supplies were as soaked and covered in mud and sand as I was. It was suddenly so dark."
She progressed from a feeling of panic to “shaking terror.”
"And then I saw something that caught my breath.
"At the cave entrance was a small pile of carefully arranged rocks. Removing the stones, I found a ziplock bag sitting at the center. Inside was a honey pack for sustenance, [for fire] a nest of dry dogbane ... and ... a dry flint for striking a spark...
"... I could now make a fire and have light to see my surroundings, have greater protection from animals, and be able to get dry and stay warm through the nights ahead of me. But it was a carefully folded piece of paper that nourished my soul and left an indelible mark on my heart.
"On the paper were the words
'Hours fly
Flowers die
New days, new ways
Pass by.
Love stays
Have a great Solo'
"Dated three years before, the note was signed, 'Becky Horne.' Becky Horne?
"I knew Becky Horne!
"Becky was a sweet childhood friend from my days as a girl in Virginia whom I had not seen in years... She... had been in this very spot, a place now filled with comfort and love.
"Incredibly—I was not alone.
"My rescue had been planned... years before I even knew I would go on this journey.
"... By the inspired kindness of an earthly angel, the eyes of my understanding were opened to see that my comparatively small moments of peril and fear were known to God.
"I was known to God.
"The irony of that dark, wet night is that, after such drama, my heart was so completely changed that I never even made the fire." (Susan Jacobs Vincent. The Soul of Solo. Alumni News. BYU Magazine. Spring 2018 Issue. Pp. 52-53.)
Thirty-one years ago I had a dream that left a lasting impression because of the many insights it held.
The dream preceded by eight months my wife developing a serious illness, but I didn’t make a connection between the dream and her illness until later.
Thirteen months after the dream, I found myself reading the journal entry of that dream. The Spirit made it clear to me then that one of the purposes of the dream was to prepare me for Yasmin’s illness. It was as if Heavenly Father planted a signpost along the path of my journey to say, “I knew your journey would take you on this path of your eternal companion’s illness so I planted this sign to let you know that I knew you would come this way, that I prepared you and will continue to assist you and that I love you.”
Nearing the end of his mortal ministry, the Savior warned his disciples that they would be scattered and added,
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Fifteen years ago a malignant tumor was removed from my left leg. Prior to the operation, an inspired priesthood leader voiced a priesthood blessing in which he promised that I would be made whole. The surgery, however, had removed, along with the tumor, the two main muscles at the front of the calf because the tumor went completely across them. Heavenly Father asked of me directly, “I want you to trust me and go through the natural process of recovery” – instead of being healed. How could the promise to be made whole possibly come to pass? I decided to accept the invitation to trust and I cried in grief for the loss of part of my leg. Over the next couple of years, I became much more whole in the health of relationships with my children, my emotional well-being and spiritual health. I developed good balance in my legs in spite of the missing functions and eventually backpacked the Grand Canyon – twice. My life did indeed become more whole than it would have by the healing of my leg. Trusting Heavenly Father paid richly.
Sixteen months ago my middle son suddenly passed away. I was stunned. I was in shock, but trusting Heavenly Father was easier. In only a short time I could see the wisdom in His timing and knew that Davin was happy. I have sensed Davin’s presence and enjoyed his help with Family History and personal strength. For example, I was trying to find documentation that two relatives were siblings and it occurred to me to ask Davin since he can talk with relatives on the other side of the veil. The next afternoon I received an email from a genealogy web site saying that it found hints on my ancestors; the first hint had a link to an 1850 US Census that showed both relatives as brother and sister. The census answered my question and held additional information.
Another example happened a few weeks later: at bedtime I asked Davin to help me find how Beatríz Otero was related to us. Before I tell you what happened I should mention that in mortality Davin had an exceptional talent for finding things because of his curiosity, keen observation skills and excellent memory. When he found something that I was unable to find, he would often put the object right in front of my face and say, “Here!” Also worth noting is that Davin always had an interest in the siblings, cousins and relatives of our direct line ancestors. Back to the example: the morning following my bedtime request, I opened my laptop computer and the top window was an image of the death certificate of Beatríz Otero showing the names of her spouse and parents. In my mind I could hear Davin say, “Here!” I had previously found the record on the internet but failed to absorb its contents. It turns out that Beatríz is a first cousin to one of my great-grandfathers and a stepmother to one of my great-grandmothers.
I have discovered through these experiences that the promise given through the Old Testament Prophet, Malachi, that Elijah “shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6) is much more than being inspired to do Family History and a promise of the sealing power: our ancestors have a genuine interest in us; they want to help us, and doing their temple work frees them – and our deceased children – to be of greater assistance to us. They long to reach out to us. They are guardian angels and would commune with us and support us more if we would listen to them. I have discovered that my son has continued what he started. His heart is turned to them and theirs to his even more than when he was clothed in a mortal tabernacle.
Furthermore, Isaiah prophesied many great blessings to those who fast the way the Lord intended. One of the promises is: “...thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach...” (Isaiah 58:12). Building a bridge between generations is one of the ways that a big breach is repaired!
Eleven months ago my lower left leg was amputated. Once again I found it easy to trust God. Even before the operation I could see several ways that it would bless my life. I knew I wouldn’t be able to do much for several weeks, but I also recognized that I could at least be kind; what joy that brought to my heart!
My physical therapist and prosthetist marvel at how quickly I have adapted to a prosthesis for my leg but I see clearly that the tumor removal fifteen years ago resulted in (1) my learning to balance well with a compromised leg, (2) learning that grief over loss of a body part is okay and that such loss is not a big deal and (3) trusting God who knows what is better for us than we do and will work to help us grow in character, return to him and strengthen those we love and care about.
What has changed in my life as a result of the amputation? The answer is everything, and nothing. Daily living is much different: walking, bathing, exercise and patterns of thought are among the countless things altered. What is of eternal consequence, however, has been unaffected – except where it has improved. I refer to such things as relationships with people and Heavenly Father, the effect of the atonement of Christ, the capacity to feel the Holy Ghost and follow it.
Six months ago I awoke one morning to the discovery that I was suddenly partially blind in my left eye. For the first time in many years, I could not see the wisdom of an event (I couldn’t see much, of course). I felt shaken and frightened that here might be something that I could not bear. It was already challenging to walk on a prosthetic leg and this condition made it harder. Medical treatments performed in an effort to save the leg had caused cataracts to grow in both eyes and this additional eyesight problem made it difficult to read and risky to drive at night.
I know that I should have behaved better, but I started to murmur and discouragement set in. One day as I started to walk from my car to an amputee support group meeting, I saw in front of me a lady using a walker; she too had no lower left leg. I knew that what she was doing was tiring: when I used a walker for the first few months after my amputation, I found that going a hundred feet left me so tired that I needed to sit and rest for a few minutes. With this prosthesis I daily walk a mile for exercise and still have energy for activities. As I pondered this I suddenly realized that I had not been feeling grateful for what I had and was instead lamenting what I didn’t have. I silently thanked Heavenly Father for how blessed I am, apologized for groaning and asked for forgiveness. When I entered the meeting room, a young lady who helps organize the meetings saw me and said, “It’s nice to see you are still smiling!” I was grateful she hadn’t seen me five minutes earlier! And I noticed that I was more aware of other people and more interested in their well-being. It is interesting that a simple change in attitude can induce ripple effects!
I submit that sometimes gratitude is all we can offer the Lord when we don’t understand. Kindness is a path we can always choose, especially when we feel that we have little to give.
We all should “Trust in the Lord with all our heart; and lean not unto our own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)
How might these lessons of trust apply in your life or in your congregation?
I have spoken primarily of the love of our Father in Heaven, but his only begotten Son, our Savior, also knows how to comfort us – as was explained by the prophet Alma:
"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.
"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." (Alma 7:11-12)
It is my repeated experience and witness that Heavenly Father loves us individually and manifests that love in ways that are particular to our needs, thus filling us with his love and peace. My plea, therefore, is that we exercise faith in the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ and the promises that He has made as instructed by our common Father, the great Elohim. May we not confuse the unimportant with the important. Let us move forward in our journey, Confident that He who knows the end also knows and loves us and supplies us amply according to our journey’s needs.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Joseph F. Otero, Jr.
Pittsfield Ward Sacrament Meeting
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
November 11, 2018
Sometimes in our journey of becoming, we need a reminder that Heavenly Father loves us, is mindful of us individually and we can trust Him.
I paraphrase and quote from a short story in the Spring 2018 issue of BYU Magazine.
A female BYU student one summer neared the end of BYU’s popular but exhausting 30-day desert survival course. She was a 100-pound sophomore with no prior outdoors experience. She and her fellow students were weak and hungry. As sunset approached, her instructor pointed to a crevice in a high canyon wall. She was to head there for her three-day solo, her first time ever to be alone. Getting there required crossing a muddy river, swollen from thunderstorms. She was terrified. Everything she carried was wrapped in a thin wool blanket. By the time she reached the bank she was soaked and “sobbing out desperate prayers.” She got stuck in quicksand. Eventually, nearly spent, she used a nearby plant root to pull herself out.
"... I was seeking refuge [from the rain and wind] in a dry spot along with every other creature in the desert around me. I hoped that snakes and scorpions would be the biggest of my concerns, but in my frenzied mind, lions, tigers, and bears didn’t seem out of the question.
"All [of] my fire-making supplies were as soaked and covered in mud and sand as I was. It was suddenly so dark."
She progressed from a feeling of panic to “shaking terror.”
"And then I saw something that caught my breath.
"At the cave entrance was a small pile of carefully arranged rocks. Removing the stones, I found a ziplock bag sitting at the center. Inside was a honey pack for sustenance, [for fire] a nest of dry dogbane ... and ... a dry flint for striking a spark...
"... I could now make a fire and have light to see my surroundings, have greater protection from animals, and be able to get dry and stay warm through the nights ahead of me. But it was a carefully folded piece of paper that nourished my soul and left an indelible mark on my heart.
"On the paper were the words
'Hours fly
Flowers die
New days, new ways
Pass by.
Love stays
Have a great Solo'
"Dated three years before, the note was signed, 'Becky Horne.' Becky Horne?
"I knew Becky Horne!
"Becky was a sweet childhood friend from my days as a girl in Virginia whom I had not seen in years... She... had been in this very spot, a place now filled with comfort and love.
"Incredibly—I was not alone.
"My rescue had been planned... years before I even knew I would go on this journey.
"... By the inspired kindness of an earthly angel, the eyes of my understanding were opened to see that my comparatively small moments of peril and fear were known to God.
"I was known to God.
"The irony of that dark, wet night is that, after such drama, my heart was so completely changed that I never even made the fire." (Susan Jacobs Vincent. The Soul of Solo. Alumni News. BYU Magazine. Spring 2018 Issue. Pp. 52-53.)
Thirty-one years ago I had a dream that left a lasting impression because of the many insights it held.
The dream preceded by eight months my wife developing a serious illness, but I didn’t make a connection between the dream and her illness until later.
Thirteen months after the dream, I found myself reading the journal entry of that dream. The Spirit made it clear to me then that one of the purposes of the dream was to prepare me for Yasmin’s illness. It was as if Heavenly Father planted a signpost along the path of my journey to say, “I knew your journey would take you on this path of your eternal companion’s illness so I planted this sign to let you know that I knew you would come this way, that I prepared you and will continue to assist you and that I love you.”
Nearing the end of his mortal ministry, the Savior warned his disciples that they would be scattered and added,
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Fifteen years ago a malignant tumor was removed from my left leg. Prior to the operation, an inspired priesthood leader voiced a priesthood blessing in which he promised that I would be made whole. The surgery, however, had removed, along with the tumor, the two main muscles at the front of the calf because the tumor went completely across them. Heavenly Father asked of me directly, “I want you to trust me and go through the natural process of recovery” – instead of being healed. How could the promise to be made whole possibly come to pass? I decided to accept the invitation to trust and I cried in grief for the loss of part of my leg. Over the next couple of years, I became much more whole in the health of relationships with my children, my emotional well-being and spiritual health. I developed good balance in my legs in spite of the missing functions and eventually backpacked the Grand Canyon – twice. My life did indeed become more whole than it would have by the healing of my leg. Trusting Heavenly Father paid richly.
Sixteen months ago my middle son suddenly passed away. I was stunned. I was in shock, but trusting Heavenly Father was easier. In only a short time I could see the wisdom in His timing and knew that Davin was happy. I have sensed Davin’s presence and enjoyed his help with Family History and personal strength. For example, I was trying to find documentation that two relatives were siblings and it occurred to me to ask Davin since he can talk with relatives on the other side of the veil. The next afternoon I received an email from a genealogy web site saying that it found hints on my ancestors; the first hint had a link to an 1850 US Census that showed both relatives as brother and sister. The census answered my question and held additional information.
Another example happened a few weeks later: at bedtime I asked Davin to help me find how Beatríz Otero was related to us. Before I tell you what happened I should mention that in mortality Davin had an exceptional talent for finding things because of his curiosity, keen observation skills and excellent memory. When he found something that I was unable to find, he would often put the object right in front of my face and say, “Here!” Also worth noting is that Davin always had an interest in the siblings, cousins and relatives of our direct line ancestors. Back to the example: the morning following my bedtime request, I opened my laptop computer and the top window was an image of the death certificate of Beatríz Otero showing the names of her spouse and parents. In my mind I could hear Davin say, “Here!” I had previously found the record on the internet but failed to absorb its contents. It turns out that Beatríz is a first cousin to one of my great-grandfathers and a stepmother to one of my great-grandmothers.
I have discovered through these experiences that the promise given through the Old Testament Prophet, Malachi, that Elijah “shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6) is much more than being inspired to do Family History and a promise of the sealing power: our ancestors have a genuine interest in us; they want to help us, and doing their temple work frees them – and our deceased children – to be of greater assistance to us. They long to reach out to us. They are guardian angels and would commune with us and support us more if we would listen to them. I have discovered that my son has continued what he started. His heart is turned to them and theirs to his even more than when he was clothed in a mortal tabernacle.
Furthermore, Isaiah prophesied many great blessings to those who fast the way the Lord intended. One of the promises is: “...thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach...” (Isaiah 58:12). Building a bridge between generations is one of the ways that a big breach is repaired!
Eleven months ago my lower left leg was amputated. Once again I found it easy to trust God. Even before the operation I could see several ways that it would bless my life. I knew I wouldn’t be able to do much for several weeks, but I also recognized that I could at least be kind; what joy that brought to my heart!
My physical therapist and prosthetist marvel at how quickly I have adapted to a prosthesis for my leg but I see clearly that the tumor removal fifteen years ago resulted in (1) my learning to balance well with a compromised leg, (2) learning that grief over loss of a body part is okay and that such loss is not a big deal and (3) trusting God who knows what is better for us than we do and will work to help us grow in character, return to him and strengthen those we love and care about.
What has changed in my life as a result of the amputation? The answer is everything, and nothing. Daily living is much different: walking, bathing, exercise and patterns of thought are among the countless things altered. What is of eternal consequence, however, has been unaffected – except where it has improved. I refer to such things as relationships with people and Heavenly Father, the effect of the atonement of Christ, the capacity to feel the Holy Ghost and follow it.
Six months ago I awoke one morning to the discovery that I was suddenly partially blind in my left eye. For the first time in many years, I could not see the wisdom of an event (I couldn’t see much, of course). I felt shaken and frightened that here might be something that I could not bear. It was already challenging to walk on a prosthetic leg and this condition made it harder. Medical treatments performed in an effort to save the leg had caused cataracts to grow in both eyes and this additional eyesight problem made it difficult to read and risky to drive at night.
I know that I should have behaved better, but I started to murmur and discouragement set in. One day as I started to walk from my car to an amputee support group meeting, I saw in front of me a lady using a walker; she too had no lower left leg. I knew that what she was doing was tiring: when I used a walker for the first few months after my amputation, I found that going a hundred feet left me so tired that I needed to sit and rest for a few minutes. With this prosthesis I daily walk a mile for exercise and still have energy for activities. As I pondered this I suddenly realized that I had not been feeling grateful for what I had and was instead lamenting what I didn’t have. I silently thanked Heavenly Father for how blessed I am, apologized for groaning and asked for forgiveness. When I entered the meeting room, a young lady who helps organize the meetings saw me and said, “It’s nice to see you are still smiling!” I was grateful she hadn’t seen me five minutes earlier! And I noticed that I was more aware of other people and more interested in their well-being. It is interesting that a simple change in attitude can induce ripple effects!
I submit that sometimes gratitude is all we can offer the Lord when we don’t understand. Kindness is a path we can always choose, especially when we feel that we have little to give.
We all should “Trust in the Lord with all our heart; and lean not unto our own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)
How might these lessons of trust apply in your life or in your congregation?
I have spoken primarily of the love of our Father in Heaven, but his only begotten Son, our Savior, also knows how to comfort us – as was explained by the prophet Alma:
"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.
"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." (Alma 7:11-12)
It is my repeated experience and witness that Heavenly Father loves us individually and manifests that love in ways that are particular to our needs, thus filling us with his love and peace. My plea, therefore, is that we exercise faith in the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ and the promises that He has made as instructed by our common Father, the great Elohim. May we not confuse the unimportant with the important. Let us move forward in our journey, Confident that He who knows the end also knows and loves us and supplies us amply according to our journey’s needs.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Joseph F. Otero, Jr.
Pittsfield Ward Sacrament Meeting
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
November 11, 2018
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