The Following Blog Description Explains Why My Blog is named: "Four Books of Scripture Testify of Jesus Christ!
Jesus the Christ -by Del Parson
 |
| Jesus the Christ -by Del Parson |
WELCOME, NEW AND REGULAR
VIEWERS OF THIS BLOG: In this and
in every additional post of this blog you will
be led on a carefully and prayerfully planned
exciting and inspiring journey as you prepare
by means of a guided study of the four sacred
books of scripture I am shown holding above;
which will assist you in becoming more
righteously happy now and more fully
prepared for eventual After-Mortality Eternal
Endeavors on your part, along with your loved
ones and countless other mortals who are
seeking to qualify as our Heavenly Father's
worthy children.
Those enabling Books of Scripture were
brought about through the love of the
Heavenly Father of our immortal spirits
which now inhabit our mortal bodies; and
were a key part of the Restoration of the
Gospel, and of the establishment of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, through the Prophet Joseph Smith
early in the Nineteenth Century.
Leading out in all of this, was of course,
Our Heavenly Father's Only Begotten Son
who is our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer,
Jesus Christ (who initially was our eldest
spirit brother and is the only one of us
our Heavenly Father will have ever
sired into mortality).
Jesus accomplished His Infinite Atonement,
the Ultimate Mortal Sacrifice, along with
His infallibly witnessed Resurrection. He is
our Redeemer and Savior who opened the
way for each of us to learn with certainty
through those four books of scripture, and
through the inspired teachings of His
prophets, seers and revelators of our day
and those authorized by them; that some
time after our mortal deaths, because of
His atonement and resurrection, and
depending on the level of individual
righteousness we each attain to, through
His grace, we can eventually experience
Eternal Life in our own resurrected bodies,
which in the case of those who fully heeded
all of His scriptural guidance and the
guidance of His authorized living servants,
there will be full possession of Godly
capabilities!
J. Neil Birch
VIEWERS OF THIS BLOG: In this and
in every additional post of this blog you will
be led on a carefully and prayerfully planned
exciting and inspiring journey as you prepare
by means of a guided study of the four sacred
books of scripture I am shown holding above;
which will assist you in becoming more
righteously happy now and more fully
prepared for eventual After-Mortality Eternal
Endeavors on your part, along with your loved
ones and countless other mortals who are
seeking to qualify as our Heavenly Father's
worthy children.
brought about through the love of the
Heavenly Father of our immortal spirits
which now inhabit our mortal bodies; and
were a key part of the Restoration of the
Gospel, and of the establishment of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, through the Prophet Joseph Smith
early in the Nineteenth Century.
Leading out in all of this, was of course,
Our Heavenly Father's Only Begotten Son
who is our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer,
Jesus Christ (who initially was our eldest
spirit brother and is the only one of us
our Heavenly Father will have ever
sired into mortality).
the Ultimate Mortal Sacrifice, along with
His infallibly witnessed Resurrection. He is
our Redeemer and Savior who opened the
way for each of us to learn with certainty
through those four books of scripture, and
through the inspired teachings of His
prophets, seers and revelators of our day
and those authorized by them; that some
time after our mortal deaths, because of
His atonement and resurrection, and
depending on the level of individual
righteousness we each attain to, through
His grace, we can eventually experience
Eternal Life in our own resurrected bodies,
which in the case of those who fully heeded
all of His scriptural guidance and the
guidance of His authorized living servants,
there will be full possession of Godly
capabilities!
J. Neil Birch
To Access This Blog's Index, Please Scroll Down To the Fifth
Paragraph From the End of This Post! For Those of You Who May
Be In a Hurry to Access it, Here it is now: Neil Birch's Blog Index.
Paragraph From the End of This Post! For Those of You Who May
Be In a Hurry to Access it, Here it is now: Neil Birch's Blog Index.
****
TODAY'S THEME:
I, J. Neil Birch, Author of this Blog Post as you have
been informed in my Introduction, have chosen this
week to feature an October 2013 General Conference
talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum
of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints in Which He Sensitively Prepares
Each of Us How To Adequately Prepare to Deal With
Serious Emotional Problems With Which We Or a Close
Family Member May Have Been Afflicted. First, I
desire that you each learn about Elder Holland's
background before he was called to his position as a
Member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Now I invite you to listen to the featured General Conference
Talk which was delivered by Elder Holland at the October
2013 General Conference:
You are next invited to thoughtfully and prayerfully
read through the printed version of Elder Holland's talk
in which you will come across, each of the reference notes
he has inserted through which he, with some assistance
from me through the means of the Internet which facilitates
this and all blogs, he gives us inspired guidance:
Like a Broken Vessel
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
****
TODAY'S THEME:
I, J. Neil Birch, Author of this Blog Post as you have
been informed in my Introduction, have chosen this
week to feature an October 2013 General Conference
talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum
of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints in Which He Sensitively Prepares
Each of Us How To Adequately Prepare to Deal With
Serious Emotional Problems With Which We Or a Close
Family Member May Have Been Afflicted. First, I
desire that you each learn about Elder Holland's
background before he was called to his position as a
Member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Now I invite you to listen to the featured General Conference
Talk which was delivered by Elder Holland at the October
2013 General Conference:
been informed in my Introduction, have chosen this
week to feature an October 2013 General Conference
talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum
of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints in Which He Sensitively Prepares
Each of Us How To Adequately Prepare to Deal With
Serious Emotional Problems With Which We Or a Close
Family Member May Have Been Afflicted. First, I
desire that you each learn about Elder Holland's
background before he was called to his position as a
Member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Now I invite you to listen to the featured General Conference
Talk which was delivered by Elder Holland at the October
2013 General Conference:
You are next invited to thoughtfully and prayerfully
read through the printed version of Elder Holland's talk
in which you will come across, each of the reference notes
he has inserted through which he, with some assistance
from me through the means of the Internet which facilitates
this and all blogs, he gives us inspired guidance:
this and all blogs, he gives us inspired guidance:
Like a Broken Vessel
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
How do you best respond when
mental or emotional challenges
confront you or those you love?
mind, having compassion one of another,
love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
In that spirit I wish to speak to those who suffer from
some form of mental illness or emotional disorder,
whether those afflictions be slight or severe, of brief
duration or persistent over a lifetime. We sense the
complexity of such matters when we hear professionals
speak of neuroses and psychoses, of genetic
predispositions and chromosome defects, of bipolarity,
paranoia, and schizophrenia. However bewildering this
all may be, these afflictions are some of the realities of
mortal life, and there should be no more shame in
acknowledging them than in acknowledging a battle
with high blood pressure or the sudden appearance
of a malignant tumor.
In striving for some peace and understanding in
these difficult matters, it is crucial to remember that
we are living—and chose to live—in a fallen world
where for divine purposes our pursuit of godliness will
be tested and tried again and again. Of greatest
assurance in God’s plan is that a Savior was promised,
a Redeemer, who through our faith in Him would lift us
triumphantly over those tests and trials, even though
the cost to do so would be unfathomable for both the
Father who sent Him and the Son who came. It is only
an appreciation of this divine love that will make our
own lesser suffering first bearable, then understandable,
and finally redemptive.
Let me leave the extraordinary illnesses I have
mentioned to concentrate on MDD —“major depressive
disorder”—or, more commonly, “depression.” When I
speak of this, I am not speaking of bad hair days, tax
deadlines, or other discouraging moments we all have.
Everyone is going to be anxious or downhearted on
2Alma 26:27 Now when our hearts were
depressed, and we were about to turn back,
behold, the Lord comforted us, and said:
Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and
bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will
give unto you success.
Ammon, one of the
Sons of the king of the Nephites
is guided by the Lord in saving
the Lamanite king's flock.
and so can the rest of us be. But today I am speaking of
something more serious, of an affliction so severe that it
significantly restricts a person’s ability to function fully,
a crater in the mind so deep that no one can responsibly
suggest it would surely go away if those victims would
just square their shoulders and think more positively
—though I am a vigorous advocate of square shoulders
and positive thinking!
No, this dark night of the mind and spirit is more than
mere discouragement. I have seen it come to an
absolutely angelic man when his beloved spouse of 50
years passed away. I have seen it in new mothers with
what is euphemistically labeled “after-baby blues.”
I have seen it strike anxious students, military veterans,
and grandmothers worried about the well-being of their
grown children.
And I have seen it in young fathers trying to provide
for their families. In that regard I once terrifyingly saw
it in myself. At one point in our married life when financial
fears collided with staggering fatigue, I took a psychic blow
that was as unanticipated as it was real. With the grace of
working, but even after all these years I continue to feel a
deep sympathy for others more chronically or more deeply
afflicted with such gloom than I was. In any case we have
all taken courage from those who, in the words of the
Prophet Joseph, “search[ed] … and contemplate[d] the
darkest abyss” 3
Joseph Smith
3 Teachings of the Presi-
dents of the Church:
Joseph Smith (2007, p.267
"...Let Honesty, and sobriety, and candor, and
solemnity, and virtue, and pureness, and
meekness, and simplicity crown our heads
in every place; and in fine, become as little
children, without malice, guile or
hypocrisy.
And now, brethren, after your tribulations, if
you do these things, and exercise fervent prayer
and faith in the sight of God always, He shall give
unto you knowledge by His Holy spirit, yea by
the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost. "
Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost
D.C. 121:26 God shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy
Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that has
not been revealed since the world was until now; been revealed
since the world was until now;
and persevered through it —not the least of whom were
Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, and Elder
George Albert Smith, the latter being one of the most
gentle and Christlike men of our dispensation, who battled
recurring depression for some years before later becoming
the universally beloved eighth prophet and President of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
So how do you best respond when mental or emotional
challenges confront you or those you love? Above all,
never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you
more than you can comprehend. As President Monson
said to the Relief Society sisters so movingly last Saturday
evening: “That love never changes. … It is there for you
when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s
love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve
[it]. It is simply always there.” 4
4 Thomas S. Monson, November 2013 Ensign, pages 123-124.
Never, ever doubt that, and never harden your heart.
Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that
bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life. Seek the counsel
of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being. Ask for
and cherish priesthood blessings. Take the sacrament every
week, and hold fast to the perfecting promises of the
Atonement of Jesus Christ. Believe in miracles. I have seen
so many of them come when every other indication would
say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost.
Christ in Gethsemane
If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly
at all, remember the Savior’s own anguished example:
if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong,
5
Mathew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face,
and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this
cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
In preventing illness whenever possible, watch for the stress
indicators in yourself and in others you may be able to help.
As with your automobile, be alert to rising temperatures,
excessive speed, or a tank low on fuel. When you face
“depletion depression,” make the requisite adjustments.
Fatigue is the common enemy of us all—so slow down, rest
up, replenish, and refill. Physicians promise us that if we
do not take time to be well, we most assuredly will take time
later on to be ill. If things continue to be debilitating, seek
the advice of reputable people with certified training,
professional skills, and good values. Be honest with
them about your history and your struggles.
Prayerfully and responsibly consider the counsel they
give and the solutions they prescribe. If you had
appendicitis, God would expect you to seek a
priesthood blessing and get the best medical care
available.
So too with emotional disorders. Our Father in Heaven
expects us to use all of the marvelous gifts He has provided
in this glorious dispensation.
If you are the one afflicted or a caregiver to such, try not
to be overwhelmed with the size of your task. Don’t
assume you can fix everything, but fix what you can.
If those are only small victories, be grateful for them and
be patient. Dozens of times in the scriptures, the Lord
commands someone to “stand still” or “be still”
—and wait. 6
6 6 Psalm 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with
your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
D. and C. 101:16 Therefore, let your hearts be comforted
concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and
know that I am God.
Patiently enduring some things is part of our mortal
education.
For caregivers, in your devoted effort to assist with
another’s health, do not destroy your own. In all
these things be wise. Do not run faster than you have
strength. 7
7 Mosiah 4: 27 And see that all these things are done
in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man
should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is
expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he
might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done
in order.
Whatever else you may or may not be able to provide,
you can offer your prayers and you can give “love
unfeigned.” 8
8 D. and C. 121:41 “Charity suffereth long, and is kind;
… [it] beareth all things, … hopeth all things, endureth
all things. Charity never faileth.” 9
9 1Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is
kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself,
is not puffed up,
9 Moroni 7:45 And charity suffereth long, and is
kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh
not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil,
and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the
truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth
all things, endureth all things.
46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not
charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth.
Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest
of all, for all things must fail—
Also let us remember that through any illness
or difficult challenge, there is still much in life to
be hopeful about and grateful for. We are infinitely
more than our limitations or our afflictions!
Stephanie Clark Nielson and her family have been
our friends for more than 30 years. On August 16,
2008, Stephanie and her husband, Christian, were
in a plane crash and subsequent fire that scarred
her so horrifically that only her painted toenails
were recognizable when family members came to
identify the victims. There was almost no chance
Stephanie could live. After three months in a
sleep-induced coma, she awoke to see herself.
With that, the psyche-scarring and horrendous
depression came. Having four children under
the age of seven, Stephanie did not want them
to see her ever again. She felt it would be better
not to live. “I thought it would be easier,”
Stephanie once told me in my office, “if they
just forgot about me and I quietly slipped
out of their life.”
But to her eternal credit, and with the prayers
of her husband, family, friends, four beautiful
children, and a fifth born to the Nielsons just
18 months ago, Stephanie fought her way back
from the abyss of self-destruction to be one
of the most popular “mommy bloggers” in
the nation, openly declaring to the four
million who follow her blog that her “divine
purpose” in life is to be a mom and to cherish
every day she has been given on this beautiful
earth.
Whatever your struggle, my brothers and
sisters—mental or emotional or physical
or otherwise—do not vote against the
preciousness of life by ending it! Trust in
God. Hold on in His love. Know that one
day the dawn will break brightly and all
shadows of mortality will flee. Though
we may feel we are “like a broken vessel,”
as the Psalmist says, 10
10Psalm 31:12 I am forgotten as a dead man
out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
We must remember, that vessel is in the
hands of the divine potter. Broken minds
can be healed just the way broken bones
and broken hearts are healed. While God
is at work making those repairs, the rest
of us can help by being merciful,
nonjudgmental, and kind.
Behold My Hands and Feet
I testify of the holy Resurrection, that
unspeakable cornerstone gift in the
Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ!
With the Apostle Paul, I testify that
that which was sown in corruption
will one day be raised in incorruption
and that which was sown in weakness
will ultimately be raised in power. 11
11 1 Corinthians 15:42 So also is
the resurrection of the dead. It is sown
in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in
glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised
in power:
I bear witness of that day when loved ones
whom we knew to have disabilities in
mortality will stand before us glorified
and grand, breathtakingly perfect in
body and mind.
What a thrilling moment that will be!
I do not know whether we will be happier
for ourselves that we have witnessed such
a miracle or happier for them that they
are fully perfect and finally “free at last.”
How do you best respond when
mental or emotional challenges
confront you or those you love?
mind, having compassion one of another,
love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
In that spirit I wish to speak to those who suffer from
some form of mental illness or emotional disorder,
whether those afflictions be slight or severe, of brief
duration or persistent over a lifetime. We sense the
complexity of such matters when we hear professionals
speak of neuroses and psychoses, of genetic
predispositions and chromosome defects, of bipolarity,
paranoia, and schizophrenia. However bewildering this
all may be, these afflictions are some of the realities of
mortal life, and there should be no more shame in
acknowledging them than in acknowledging a battle
with high blood pressure or the sudden appearance
of a malignant tumor.
In striving for some peace and understanding in
these difficult matters, it is crucial to remember that
we are living—and chose to live—in a fallen world
where for divine purposes our pursuit of godliness will
be tested and tried again and again. Of greatest
assurance in God’s plan is that a Savior was promised,
a Redeemer, who through our faith in Him would lift us
triumphantly over those tests and trials, even though
the cost to do so would be unfathomable for both the
Father who sent Him and the Son who came. It is only
an appreciation of this divine love that will make our
own lesser suffering first bearable, then understandable,
and finally redemptive.
Let me leave the extraordinary illnesses I have
mentioned to concentrate on MDD —“major depressive
disorder”—or, more commonly, “depression.” When I
speak of this, I am not speaking of bad hair days, tax
deadlines, or other discouraging moments we all have.
Everyone is going to be anxious or downhearted on
2Alma 26:27 Now when our hearts were
depressed, and we were about to turn back,
behold, the Lord comforted us, and said:
Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and
bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will
give unto you success.
|
| Ammon, one of the Sons of the king of the Nephites is guided by the Lord in saving the Lamanite king's flock. |
and so can the rest of us be. But today I am speaking of
something more serious, of an affliction so severe that it
significantly restricts a person’s ability to function fully,
a crater in the mind so deep that no one can responsibly
suggest it would surely go away if those victims would
just square their shoulders and think more positively
—though I am a vigorous advocate of square shoulders
and positive thinking!
No, this dark night of the mind and spirit is more than
mere discouragement. I have seen it come to an
absolutely angelic man when his beloved spouse of 50
years passed away. I have seen it in new mothers with
what is euphemistically labeled “after-baby blues.”
I have seen it strike anxious students, military veterans,
and grandmothers worried about the well-being of their
grown children.
And I have seen it in young fathers trying to provide
for their families. In that regard I once terrifyingly saw
it in myself. At one point in our married life when financial
fears collided with staggering fatigue, I took a psychic blow
that was as unanticipated as it was real. With the grace of
working, but even after all these years I continue to feel a
deep sympathy for others more chronically or more deeply
afflicted with such gloom than I was. In any case we have
all taken courage from those who, in the words of the
Prophet Joseph, “search[ed] … and contemplate[d] the
darkest abyss” 3
|
| Joseph Smith |
3 Teachings of the Presi-
dents of the Church:
Joseph Smith (2007, p.267
"...Let Honesty, and sobriety, and candor, and
solemnity, and virtue, and pureness, and
meekness, and simplicity crown our heads
in every place; and in fine, become as little
children, without malice, guile or
hypocrisy.
And now, brethren, after your tribulations, if
you do these things, and exercise fervent prayer
and faith in the sight of God always, He shall give
unto you knowledge by His Holy spirit, yea by
the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost. "
|
| Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost |
D.C. 121:26 God shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy
Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that has
not been revealed since the world was until now; been revealed
since the world was until now;
and persevered through it —not the least of whom were
Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, and Elder
George Albert Smith, the latter being one of the most
gentle and Christlike men of our dispensation, who battled
recurring depression for some years before later becoming
the universally beloved eighth prophet and President of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
So how do you best respond when mental or emotional
challenges confront you or those you love? Above all,
never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you
more than you can comprehend. As President Monson
said to the Relief Society sisters so movingly last Saturday
evening: “That love never changes. … It is there for you
when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s
love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve
[it]. It is simply always there.” 4
4 Thomas S. Monson, November 2013 Ensign, pages 123-124.
Never, ever doubt that, and never harden your heart.
Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that
bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life. Seek the counsel
of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being. Ask for
and cherish priesthood blessings. Take the sacrament every
week, and hold fast to the perfecting promises of the
Atonement of Jesus Christ. Believe in miracles. I have seen
so many of them come when every other indication would
say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost.
Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that
bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life. Seek the counsel
of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being. Ask for
and cherish priesthood blessings. Take the sacrament every
week, and hold fast to the perfecting promises of the
Atonement of Jesus Christ. Believe in miracles. I have seen
so many of them come when every other indication would
say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost.
|
| Christ in Gethsemane |
If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly
at all, remember the Savior’s own anguished example:
if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong,
5
Mathew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face,
and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this
cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
In preventing illness whenever possible, watch for the stress
indicators in yourself and in others you may be able to help.
As with your automobile, be alert to rising temperatures,
excessive speed, or a tank low on fuel. When you face
“depletion depression,” make the requisite adjustments.
Fatigue is the common enemy of us all—so slow down, rest
up, replenish, and refill. Physicians promise us that if we
do not take time to be well, we most assuredly will take time
later on to be ill. If things continue to be debilitating, seek
the advice of reputable people with certified training,
professional skills, and good values. Be honest with
them about your history and your struggles.
Prayerfully and responsibly consider the counsel they
give and the solutions they prescribe. If you had
appendicitis, God would expect you to seek a
priesthood blessing and get the best medical care
available.
give and the solutions they prescribe. If you had
appendicitis, God would expect you to seek a
priesthood blessing and get the best medical care
available.
So too with emotional disorders. Our Father in Heaven
expects us to use all of the marvelous gifts He has provided
in this glorious dispensation.
expects us to use all of the marvelous gifts He has provided
in this glorious dispensation.
If you are the one afflicted or a caregiver to such, try not
to be overwhelmed with the size of your task. Don’t
assume you can fix everything, but fix what you can.
to be overwhelmed with the size of your task. Don’t
assume you can fix everything, but fix what you can.
If those are only small victories, be grateful for them and
be patient. Dozens of times in the scriptures, the Lord
commands someone to “stand still” or “be still”
—and wait. 6
be patient. Dozens of times in the scriptures, the Lord
commands someone to “stand still” or “be still”
—and wait. 6
6 6 Psalm 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with
your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
D. and C. 101:16 Therefore, let your hearts be comforted
concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and
know that I am God.
concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and
know that I am God.
Patiently enduring some things is part of our mortal
education.
education.
For caregivers, in your devoted effort to assist with
another’s health, do not destroy your own. In all
these things be wise. Do not run faster than you have
strength. 7
another’s health, do not destroy your own. In all
these things be wise. Do not run faster than you have
strength. 7
7 Mosiah 4: 27 And see that all these things are done
in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man
should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is
expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he
might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done
in order.
in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man
should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is
expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he
might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done
in order.
Whatever else you may or may not be able to provide,
you can offer your prayers and you can give “love
unfeigned.” 8
you can offer your prayers and you can give “love
unfeigned.” 8
8 D. and C. 121:41 “Charity suffereth long, and is kind;
… [it] beareth all things, … hopeth all things, endureth
all things. Charity never faileth.” 9
… [it] beareth all things, … hopeth all things, endureth
all things. Charity never faileth.” 9
9 1Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is
kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself,
is not puffed up,
kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself,
is not puffed up,
9 Moroni 7:45 And charity suffereth long, and is
kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh
not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil,
and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the
truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth
all things, endureth all things.
kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh
not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil,
and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the
truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth
all things, endureth all things.
46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not
charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth.
Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest
of all, for all things must fail—
charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth.
Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest
of all, for all things must fail—
Also let us remember that through any illness
or difficult challenge, there is still much in life to
be hopeful about and grateful for. We are infinitely
more than our limitations or our afflictions!
Stephanie Clark Nielson and her family have been
our friends for more than 30 years. On August 16,
2008, Stephanie and her husband, Christian, were
in a plane crash and subsequent fire that scarred
her so horrifically that only her painted toenails
were recognizable when family members came to
identify the victims. There was almost no chance
Stephanie could live. After three months in a
sleep-induced coma, she awoke to see herself.
With that, the psyche-scarring and horrendous
depression came. Having four children under
the age of seven, Stephanie did not want them
to see her ever again. She felt it would be better
not to live. “I thought it would be easier,”
Stephanie once told me in my office, “if they
just forgot about me and I quietly slipped
out of their life.”
But to her eternal credit, and with the prayers
of her husband, family, friends, four beautiful
children, and a fifth born to the Nielsons just
18 months ago, Stephanie fought her way back
from the abyss of self-destruction to be one
of the most popular “mommy bloggers” in
the nation, openly declaring to the four
million who follow her blog that her “divine
purpose” in life is to be a mom and to cherish
every day she has been given on this beautiful
earth.
of her husband, family, friends, four beautiful
children, and a fifth born to the Nielsons just
18 months ago, Stephanie fought her way back
from the abyss of self-destruction to be one
of the most popular “mommy bloggers” in
the nation, openly declaring to the four
million who follow her blog that her “divine
purpose” in life is to be a mom and to cherish
every day she has been given on this beautiful
earth.
Whatever your struggle, my brothers and
sisters—mental or emotional or physical
or otherwise—do not vote against the
preciousness of life by ending it! Trust in
God. Hold on in His love. Know that one
day the dawn will break brightly and all
shadows of mortality will flee. Though
we may feel we are “like a broken vessel,”
as the Psalmist says, 10
sisters—mental or emotional or physical
or otherwise—do not vote against the
preciousness of life by ending it! Trust in
God. Hold on in His love. Know that one
day the dawn will break brightly and all
shadows of mortality will flee. Though
we may feel we are “like a broken vessel,”
as the Psalmist says, 10
10Psalm 31:12 I am forgotten as a dead man
out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
We must remember, that vessel is in the
hands of the divine potter. Broken minds
can be healed just the way broken bones
and broken hearts are healed. While God
is at work making those repairs, the rest
of us can help by being merciful,
nonjudgmental, and kind.
hands of the divine potter. Broken minds
can be healed just the way broken bones
and broken hearts are healed. While God
is at work making those repairs, the rest
of us can help by being merciful,
nonjudgmental, and kind.
|
| Behold My Hands and Feet |
I testify of the holy Resurrection, that
unspeakable cornerstone gift in the
Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ!
With the Apostle Paul, I testify that
that which was sown in corruption
will one day be raised in incorruption
and that which was sown in weakness
will ultimately be raised in power. 11
11 1 Corinthians 15:42 So also is
the resurrection of the dead. It is sown
in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
the resurrection of the dead. It is sown
in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in
glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised
in power:
glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised
in power:
I bear witness of that day when loved ones
whom we knew to have disabilities in
mortality will stand before us glorified
and grand, breathtakingly perfect in
body and mind.
What a thrilling moment that will be!
I do not know whether we will be happier
for ourselves that we have witnessed such
a miracle or happier for them that they
are fully perfect and finally “free at last.”
I do not know whether we will be happier
for ourselves that we have witnessed such
a miracle or happier for them that they
are fully perfect and finally “free at last.”
Free at last, free at last
I thank God I'm free at last
Free at last, free at last
I thank God I'm free at last
I thank God I'm free at last
Free at last, free at last
I thank God I'm free at last
Way down yonder in the graveyard walk
I thank God I'm free at last
Me and my Jesus going to meet and talk
I thank God I'm free at last
I thank God I'm free at last
Me and my Jesus going to meet and talk
I thank God I'm free at last
On my knees when the light pass'd by
I thank God I'm free at last
Tho't my soul would rise and fly
I thank God I'm free at last
I thank God I'm free at last
Tho't my soul would rise and fly
I thank God I'm free at last
Some of these mornings, bright and fair
I thank God I'm free at last
Goin' meet King Jesus in the air
I thank God I'm free at last
Goin' meet King Jesus in the air
I thank God I'm free at last!
-
“Free at Last,” in John W. Work, comp., American Negro
-
Songs: 230 Folk Songs and Spirituals, Religious and Secular
-
(1998), 197.
-
- __________________________________________
- Elder Holland's Notes (Each note was incorporated by this
- blogger into the his talk as it is given above (as much as seemed possible).
1. 1 Peter 3:8.
-
-
3. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 267.
-
4. Thomas S. Monson, “We Never Walk Alone,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 123, 124.
-
5. See Matthew 26:39.
-
-
7. See Mosiah 4:27.
-
-
-
10. Psalm 31:12.
-
11. See 1 Corinthians 15:42–43.
-
12. “Free at Last,” in John W. Work, comp., American Negro
-
Songs: 230 Folk Songs and Spirituals, Religious and Secular
-
(1998), 197.
-
13. 1 Peter 3:8.
Official Web site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
© 2014 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All Rights Reserved
- “Free at Last,” in John W. Work, comp., American Negro
- Songs: 230 Folk Songs and Spirituals, Religious and Secular
- (1998), 197.
- __________________________________________
- Elder Holland's Notes (Each note was incorporated by this
- blogger into the his talk as it is given above (as much as seemed possible).
- 1. 1 Peter 3:8.
- 3. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 267.
- 4. Thomas S. Monson, “We Never Walk Alone,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 123, 124.
- 5. See Matthew 26:39.
- 7. See Mosiah 4:27.
- 10. Psalm 31:12.
- 11. See 1 Corinthians 15:42–43.
- 12. “Free at Last,” in John W. Work, comp., American Negro
- Songs: 230 Folk Songs and Spirituals, Religious and Secular
- (1998), 197.
- 13. 1 Peter 3:8.
Official Web site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
© 2014 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All Rights Reserved
© 2014 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All Rights Reserved
____________
DISCLAIMER This website is not owned by or affiliated with the Church
Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS
Church). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position
of the Church.
____________
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When You See a Portrayal of Our Savior Jesus Christ Sitting Next To
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Problems! If You or a Close Loved One are Afflicted with Such
How do You Best Respond? This Blog Post is Based on the October 2013
General Conference Talk of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of
Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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____________
"Four Books of Scripture Testify of Jesus Christ! Legal /Statement.
Thank you for visiting. The author retains intellectual property and
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in writing. © Est.2008 Neil Birch Legal /Statement.
____________
I deeply appreciate your readership and hope you found
very beneficial, that which was presented to you in this
blog post.
If you have any questions about what you have read or
viewed in this post or in any previous posts of mine,
or if you even have a curiosity about the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, and or its teachings, please
e-mail me. I'm Neil and my e-mail address is:
jneilmelva@gmail.com. If you contact me I'll get back
to you just as soon as possible.
Neil Birch
____________
DISCLAIMER This website is not owned by or affiliated with the Church
Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS
Church). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position
of the Church.
____________
TO ACCESS NEIL BIRCH'S BLOG INDEX To Either Read the Full
Index Item Which Refers To This Blog Post, (Or An Item Which Refers To Any Other
Blog Post You May Desire To Access): After Reading All of This Paragraph Please
Click on the Post Title Shown at the End of this following paragraph:
When You See a Portrayal of Our Savior Jesus Christ Sitting Next To
a Little Boy, Please, Scroll Down To our Target: Mental or Emotional
Problems! If You or a Close Loved One are Afflicted with Such
How do You Best Respond? This Blog Post is Based on the October 2013 General Conference Talk of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of
Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
-Post 47x
____________
"Four Books of Scripture Testify of Jesus Christ! Legal /Statement.
Thank you for visiting. The author retains intellectual property and
creative licensing rights. Permission to use or reprint must be given
in writing. © Est.2008 Neil Birch Legal /Statement.
____________
I deeply appreciate your readership and hope you found
very beneficial, that which was presented to you in this
blog post.
If you have any questions about what you have read or
viewed in this post or in any previous posts of mine,
or if you even have a curiosity about the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, and or its teachings, please
e-mail me. I'm Neil and my e-mail address is:
jneilmelva@gmail.com. If you contact me I'll get back
to you just as soon as possible.
Neil Birch
