The Missing Piece

The Missing Piece

Jonah

Matt 12:40

For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be athree days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Exodus 10:22-23

22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:
23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

Alma 36:10, 16

10 And it came to pass that I fell to the earth; and it was for the space of three days and three nights that I could not open my mouth, neither had I the use of my limbs.
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16 And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a dammed soul.

Alma 38:8

8 And it came to pass that I was three days and three nights in the most bitter pain and anguish of soul; and never, until I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I receive a remission of my sins. But behold, I did cry unto him and I did find peace to my soul.

Acts 9:9

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

Luke 24: 7

Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

Deep Roots

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin once told of farmers in the hot desert of northwest Mexico who “grow varieties of corn and beans that are unusually hardy and drought resistant. These varieties survive and flourish in a harsh climate where other plants would wither and die. One of these plants is the white tepary bean. Its seed will sprout and the plant will grow even when very little rain falls. It sends its roots as deep as six feet into the rocky, sandy earth to find the moisture it needs. It can flower and fruit in the 115-degree (Fahrenheit) desert temperatures with only one yearly rainfall. Its foliage remains remarkably green, with little irrigation, even in the heat of mid-July.”

Elder Wirthlin suggested: “Perhaps members of the Church could emulate the example of these hardy, sturdy plants. We should send our roots deep into the soil of the gospel. We should grow, flourish, flower, and bear good fruit in abundance despite the evil, temptation, or criticism we might encounter. We should learn to thrive in the heat of adversity”

( Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 7; or Ensign, May 1989, 7).

Job

I am reading about Job this week. As we all know- he was amazingly faithful through unheard of trials. There was a time when he felt like God had forgotten him. Have you ever felt that way? Can look back and know that in the past- God has heard your prayers- but wonder why you don't feel that now... I find it comforting to know that Job, a man who's name is synonymous with great faith, also felt that way -

as Job said:

Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard

Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!