Come What May, and Love It

Today I am reading and studying the conference talk:
Come What May, and Love It
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

This story totally made me lol:

Learn to Laugh

I remember when one of our daughters went on a blind date. She was all
dressed up and waiting for her date to arrive when the doorbell rang. In walked
a man who seemed a little old, but she tried to be polite. She introduced him to
me and my wife and the other children; then she put on her coat and went out the
door. We watched as she got into the car, but the car didn’t move. Eventually
our daughter got out of the car and, red faced, ran back into the house. The man
that she thought was her blind date had actually come to pick up another of our
daughters who had agreed to be a babysitter for him and his wife.
We all had
a good laugh over that. In fact, we couldn’t stop laughing. Later, when our
daughter’s real blind date showed up, I couldn’t come out to meet him because I
was still in the kitchen laughing. Now I realize that our daughter could have
felt humiliated and embarrassed. But she laughed with us, and as a result, we
still laugh about it today.

Seek for the Eternal

The dial on the wheel of sorrow eventually points to each of us. At one
time
or another, everyone must experience sorrow. No one is exempt.
Because Jesus
Christ suffered greatly, He understands our suffering. He
understands our
grief. We experience hard things so that we too may have
increased
compassion and understanding for others.

The story in the scriptures that has helped me so much with this principle is that of The people of Alma, living in the land of Helam. They were good righteous people. The Lamanites attacked them and put them in bondage. They were forced to work hard, and forbidden to pray. Sure the Lord could have protected the People of Alma. He could have kept them from being found. He could have struck them all dead. the Lord can do anything. And yet, he allowed those good righteous people to experience great trials. Why? "He trieth their patience and their faith." Mosiah 23:21. The Lord also could have helped them to escape quickly, and yet, it seemed t take a while. During which time, the people prayed in their hearts. From their first instinct, throughout their ordeal, they turned to the Lord. The result was that he eased their burdens, so they could not feel them. And then, of course, not immediately, but rather eventually, they were delivered.

Two days ago, I stopped by to say good-bye to my "super awesome neighbor" (Can I start calling her SAN?) As she had just packed her things to go with her daughter and grandchildren to Pittsburgh for a lung transplant, she was sweet, calm, normal, happy. I can imagine that someone else in the same situation could have been a mess. I could tell that the Lord was easing her burdens. I think that when the Lord eases our burdens, it is usually in this way. We don't have physical burdens on our backs like the people of Alma. But he eases our minds and thoughts. (not generally immediate deliverance) He gives us peace, even when logic tells us we shouldn't have it. SAN's daughter's name is Cammi, here is a blog that highlighted her story yesterday: Cammi.

Elder Wirthlin then talks about what he call the "principle of compensation." I had never heard this phrase before, I did a search for this phrase on LDS.org, and did not find it repeated. I had always kind of felt like it existed, but I loved having it named, defined and spelled out.

definition:

The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from
those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not
come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will
eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude.

He goes on to explain that compensation sometimes comes in this life, but ALWAYS comes on the other side.

He tells of his grandson with autism:

His parents have encouraged him to participate in sports. When he first
started playing baseball, he was in the outfield. But I don’t think he grasped
the need to run after loose balls. He thought of a much more efficient way to
play the game. When a ball was hit in his direction, Joseph watched it go by and
then pulled another baseball out of his pocket and threw that one to the
pitcher.
Any reservations that his family may have had in raising Joseph, any
sacrifices they have made have been compensated tenfold. Because of this choice
spirit, his mother and father have learned much about children with
disabilities. They have witnessed firsthand the generosity and compassion of
family, neighbors, and friends. They have rejoiced together as Joseph has
progressed. They have marveled at his goodness.

The fourth point to his message was to Trust in the Father and the Son.

The same was said about the people of Alma: "whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day." (Mosiah 23:22) The Lord explained that eased their burdens in part so that they "may stand as a witness for me hereafter, that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."

“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.”2
The Lord Jesus Christ is our partner, helper, and advocate. He wants us to be
happy. He wants us to be successful. If we do our part, He will step in.
He
who descended below all things will come to our aid. He will comfort and uphold
us. He will strengthen us in our weakness and fortify us in our distress. He
will make weak things become strong.3
One
of our daughters, after giving birth to a baby, became seriously ill. We prayed
for her, administered to her, and supported her as best we could. We hoped she
would receive a blessing of healing, but days turned into months, and months
turned into years. At one point I told her that this affliction might be
something she would have to struggle with the rest of her life.
One morning I
remember pulling out a small card and threading it through my typewriter. Among
the words that I typed for her were these: “The simple secret is this: put your
trust in the Lord, do your best, then leave the rest to Him.”
She did put her
trust in God. But her affliction did not disappear. For years she suffered, but
in due course, the Lord blessed her, and eventually she returned to
health.
Knowing this daughter, I believe that even if she had never found
relief, yet she would have trusted in her Heavenly Father and “[left] the rest
to Him.”

The people of Alma submitted their will to the Lord "cheerfully and with patience." In my experience, I have found that I am a bit more of a slow metronome, moving between patient and discouraged. Consistency with my scripture study helps to always bring me back to patient. I think I have a total of about 4 readers on this blog, but could you all keep Cammi in your prayers? Thanks. I know that prayer works.