This presentation was given in Ogden, Utah in February of 2022. Resources are included here for those who want to download the workbook, or review the material. Enjoy!
St. George Volcano
There is charcoal-colored volcanic rock scattered across St. George. At the very top of Snow Canyon is the remnant of an ancient, and now dead Santa Clara Volcano.
Several years ago we gathered our four kids, who at the time were ranging in age from 15 to 4, and made our way around on the ice cream swirl trail. The hike started with a small incline as we twirled around the backside. About halfway up the trail, the path took a sharp turn straight up the mountain. The view from on top of the mountain was breathtaking! While the entire trail was only 3/4 mile one way, we stood onto 4,800 feet gazing southward towards the breathtaking fiery red cliffs of Snow Canyon.
After a short adventure on top, it was time to make our way back down the mountain. Looking down at the steps we had climbed was overwhelming to our four-year-old, Ben. He gazed at the gravel path that he needed to climb down and immediately shrunk. “Daddy, I can’t do it,” he cried out.
“Ben, I’m right here with you,” Dad said. “I promise I will keep you safe.”
“No, I’m scared,” Ben declared, as he bent his knees in an attempt to plop on the pumice.
“Hold my hand; we will go down the trail together. Trust me.” Jonny held out his right hand and grabbed ahold of my little one, who was in no position mentally to proceed. Fear washed over his face, and his body imploded as small as his dad would allow.
In one quick swoop, Jonny scooped Ben off the ground, and carefully caressed the small boy in his strong arms.
While I waited for the big kids to finish their exploration. After they landed, they found a place to sit and enjoy some goldfish crackers and a juice box.
For those who know our family, the fact that my husband could go on a hike like this is amazing. In June of 2017, Jonny was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor called an Acoustic Neuroma, about the size of a walnut. On August 1st two surgeons successfully removed the tumor with near textbook-perfect outcome, or so we thought. His facial nerve is entirely intact! He kept half of his hearing in his right side and now wears a hearing aid. His spinal fluid never leaked! He did lose his balance on his right side, which has been an interesting adventure to recalibrate. We were so relieved. We soon realized that the unbearable headaches that were expected to last a few days turned into weeks and then into months, and now years. With the help of many healers, including acupuncturists, massage therapists, and pain clinic doctors we are working to find relief from debilitating, chronic headaches caused by nerve damage from his surgery.
In a moment, when life on the surface looks ordinary, mundane and regular, a volcano erupts, and everything is changed, broken, burning up and wrought with fear.
Now, I know that if I asked people to raise their hands who have had a brain tumor removed, we might have 1 or 2. But that doesn’t mean that the trials you have faced and the challenges you have overcome are less significant or difficult. What if I asked people to raise their hand if they, or someone they loved, had a divorce, chronic disease, financial hardship, helping a struggling child, including ADHD, and anxiety? What about those who have experienced panic attacks, same-sex attraction, infertility, miscarriage, betrayal, adultery, abandonment, addiction, or even those who have lost a loved one to death? I don’t know about you, but that list pretty well sums up my experience with just my immediate and families of origin.
Coming Down the Volcano of Life
Looking at the steep and rocky path that was to take us back to reality after living through a trial of volcanic proportions was overwhelming. Jonny and I gazed at the trail before us and immediately shrunk. We had a business to run, endless doctor appointments, a house to maintain and children to care for, not to mention the unexpected side effects of surgery.
“Heavenly Father, we can’t do it,” I cried out as I grasped my husband’s hand.
“Sarah and Jonny, I’m right here with you,” The Great Father in Heaven said. “I promise I will keep you safe.”
“No, I’m scared,” I declared, as I bent my knees in an attempt to plop on the ground.
Heavenly Father instructed the Savior to come to our aid. The Savior whispered, “Trust me, Hold my hand; we will go down the trail together.“
Fear washed over our faces as our spirits imploded as small as he would allow.
In one quick swoop, Jesus scooped us off the ground, and carefully caressed us in his strong arms as we descended to safety down the Volcano.
While my human nature abhors the thought of living through the grueling, burning days of volcanic eruptions, it is that contrast of health, happiness, and light that provides the shadows of the grand tapestry that God is weaving. One day, the Savior will unveil his masterpiece and I will fall on my knees in gratitude for his love that allowed space and time for divine mentoring in a fallen, broken world. It is in that heartache that he guides me to grow, to plead, to receive his grace and mercy. It is in that struggle that weaves in colors of light, joy, and truth.
The St. George Temple
After the Saints moved west, St. George became the first location to finish a temple. Working through the challenges of the landscape were no easy feet. The land surrounding the 6-acre plot was entrenched with underground rivers and streams. The pioneers redirected the water, but were left with thick, sticky and dangerous marshland. Highly corrosive dirt would have caused a limestone or sandstone foundation to erode. Not deterred, Brigham Young declared to the men who were charged with picking a location, “We will make a foundation. This spot was dedicated by the Nephites. They could not built the temple but we can and will build it for them.” (Wilford Woodruff journal August 21, 1877 Church Historian’s Library)
The Lord provided the perfect material to counteract the corrosive minerals found in the natural landscape. Thousands of years earlier, the volcanic eruption that later littered the landscape with black rock was the ideal chemical formula, (and is the exact location described earlier,) when mixed with the natural sandstone dirt of the St. George valley, to fortify a foundation. (This is the same volcano we climbed on.) A quarry was built on the west end of St. George to bring tens of thousands of pounds of volcanic rock to create a stable foundation which the temple could stand upon. They used a steel canon pulley system to pummel the rock into the soil. Originally, the French crafted this cannon for Napoleon’s siege of Moscow, then abandoned, then dragged to Siberia, then Alaska, and finally to California, where members of the Mormon Battalion retrieved it after their historic march in 1846.
Once dedicated, this historic temple played backdrop to the salvation, not only for the faithful saints but also to the founding fathers, who appeared to then president of the temple, Wilford Woodruff two nights in a row before work for 194 prominent men and women of the world commenced.
President Woodruff declared, “I am going to bear my testimony to this assembly if I never do it again in my life that those men who laid the foundation of this American government and signed the Declaration of Independence were the best spirits the God of heaven could find on the face of the earth. They were choice spirits, not wicked men. General Washington and all the men that labored for the purpose were inspired of the Lord. Another thing I am going to say here because I have a right to say it every one of those men that signed the Declaration of Independence with General Washington called upon me as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ in the temple at St. George, two consecutive nights and demanded at my hands that I should go forth and attend to the ordinances of the house of god for them.” (Wilford Woodruff Journal of Discourses XIX 229).
“Brother Mcallister baptized me for all these men, and I then told these [three] brethren that it was their duty to go into the temple and labor until they got endowments for all of them they did it would those spirits have called upon me as an Elder in Israel to perform that work.”
President Wilford Woodruff also records in his journal on August 21, 1877 that Sister Lucy Bigelow Young was baptized for Martha Washington and her family and seventy of the eminent women of the world.
Sometimes in life, the volcanic eruptions of our life is what provide the experience, fortitude, or connections that ultimately provide a foundation for our salvation. Here are the three takeaways I have from this story.
Heavenly Father, our families, and our community help us descend the trails on the path after volcanic explosions.
Enduring the difficult season of suffering, I learned the gift of receiving. So often in the teachings of our faith, we are implored to give, to serve, and to reach out. But what about when you can’t. When you have nothing to share, there is no excess of which to donate? I was reminded during this difficult season, that there is no word SERVE in the ordinances that God provides. The word dictated in our promises from him is to RECEIVE. I’m not suggesting we don’t prioritize of service, but what I am suggesting is that receiving is just as important as giving in the circle of life.
- Therapy/Counseling
- Support Groups
- Financial support from your family and bishop
- Medical interventions
- Education support
- Coaching
- Heavenly Winks
Let us intentionally build foundations of faith.
Recently, great lengths have been taken to strengthen, fortify and rebuild these sacred pioneer day temples. But this work isn’t just physical. President Nelson is imploring us to recommit our efforts to strengthen our spiritual foundation.
“My dear brothers and sisters, these are the latter days. If you and I are to withstand the forthcoming perils and pressures, it is imperative that we each have a firm spiritual foundation built upon the rock of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
So I ask each of you, how firm is your foundation? And what reinforcements to your testimony and understanding of the gospel are needed?
The temple lies at the center of strengthening our faith and spiritual fortitude because the Savior and His doctrine are the very heart of the temple. Everything taught in the temple, through instruction and through the Spirit, increases our understanding of Jesus Christ. His essential ordinances bind us to Him through sacred priesthood covenants. Then, as we keep our covenants, He endows us with His healing, strengthening power.3 And oh, how we will need His power in the days ahead.
We have been promised that “if [we] are prepared [we] shall not fear.”4 This assurance has profound implications today. The Lord has declared that despite today’s unprecedented challenges, those who build their foundations upon Jesus Christ, and have learned how to draw upon His power, need not succumb to the unique anxieties of this era.” – The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundations, President Russel M. Nelson
Learn to draw on the power of the Lord’s help
Our God is a God of love, of great power, or infinite wisdom and resources.
- Praying to him in faith means declaring with your words, and your heart that you know he can help you, that you know without a doubt he can send his angels to protect and support you. Rather than begging for help, declare your faith in God’s ability to help.
- Fasting can amplify this prayer.
- Priesthood blessings are a right and privilege for the Saints.
- Recite the blessings of the temple. Egypt, Luxor temple showed a 200 ft tall billboard of the Lord’s tokens. Those who had eyes to see saw. I’d like to offer the same kind of cryptic lessons. **The words from the temple are powerful and sacred. Recite these words in the morning as you rise, and at night as you fall asleep. This is the window between your subconscious and conscious mind. ** If God were sending his precious sons and daughters into a broken and fallen mortality, what gifts would he endow his children to help strengthen you to endure? Think of the words of the temple like that, and then apply those blessings to your daily routine.**** Initiatory, Endowment, Sealing.
- Heaven is literally waiting for your call. Free agency will never be dismantled in the name of gifting your blessings. So use your voice and your own agency to call upon heaven’s blessings.
- Hone in your inner Gandolf. “None shall pass.” Declare your power to protect, to provide, and to minister.
Learn to submit to God’s will
Sometimes we think of discipleship as following the rules. In actuality, discipleship is really about following the Savior. Read this quote by Elder Maxwell and then ponder ways you can submit to God’s will for your life. What is he asking of you? What is he asking you to lay at the alter? Maybe it’s a financial donation or a consecration of time. Maybe it’s sharing your burdens with your ward family. Maybe the sacrifice is having faith and love for your spouse despite the disappointments and setbacks.
“..the submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. The many other things we “give,” brothers and sisters, are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us. However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual will be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give!”
– Elder Neal A. Maxwell
The Sweet Fruit of Adversity
“Joy it seemed was a strange alchemy of mind over matter. The path to joy, like sadness did not lead away from suffering and adversity but through it. Nothing beautiful comes without suffering.” – The Book of Joy
“It is better that we pass through sorrow that we know good from the evil.” – Eve
During the summer of 2011, we spent countless hours and hundreds of dollars on our garden. What once was a pile of huge weeds was now a beautiful garden, with irrigation, plants, and fruit, ready to be harvested. We were so happy planting, pruning, and tending to our little bit of land. This project provided much-needed grounding for my loved ones, a place to release the tensions, anxiety, and stress of life. Mother Earth would generously and freely take the burdens at our feet, and fuel our souls with life; the fruit of our labors in every form that we planted. This garden brought to us great joy.
On a hot July Saturday afternoon, Jonny and I took our oldest daughter Anna to a play in South Jordan, our youngest kids stayed home with a babysitter. We arrived a few minutes before showtime, just enough time to visit with other family members who were congregating to watch a cousin who was playing the leading role in, “Les Miserables.” Not more than three minutes after we arrived Jonny received a phone call from a member of our bishopric. “Jonny, the field behind your house is up in flames. Your children are alright, they are at my house, but you should come home.”
Within 15-minutes we were home. Our circle was closed to traffic. Five fire stations beckoned the call to our house and those others whose backyards backed up to the five-acre field that went ablaze. A careless smoker causes the fire. Because of great neglect on the part of the landowners, the tall, dry weeds were quick tinder for the sparks. Within minutes the flames were easily ten feet tall and breathing down the neck of our neighbor’s back porch. Our fence was destroyed. our beautiful garden was ash.
I stood looking out at the scene. Our home was fine. Smelly, but fine. Our kids were great, they thought it was fun to go onto a field trip with the babysitter to her house. Months before I put an imaginary bubble around our house, to protect it from an adversarial force that our family was facing. I knew without a doubt that angels were watching over my home, protecting it against loss. I could feel the fear which pulsated through every vein, evaporate into thin air.
About twenty feet from the actual fire grew a small, newly planted peach tree. It was a small tree, with a 3” trunk. I love peaches!! Ever since I was a little girl peaches are my favorite fruit, and favorite all time food. I love the color peach. (It was one of three colors at my wedding.) I love the fruit, I love, love peaches. My beautiful little peach tree died because of the exposure to the heat. The once vibrant little tree dried to a crisp. The emerald green leaves shriveled and fell to the earth. The thin trunk stood lifeless as a witness to the atrocities of the flames. I was so sad.
By the following spring we replanted our garden, and we rebuilt the fence.
The little peach tree wanted to live. While the trunk, branches and leaves all died. The root had not. From the root grew a new tree. This tree grew exponentially. Within just a few summers, the pruned tree was 15’ -20’ in diameter and produced the most succulent, juicy fruit. The peaches were the size of softballs, with goldenrod flesh and vibrant orange skin.
Out of the ashes grew this tree. This life wanted to live, it wanted to produce fruit. If we allow adversity and sorrow to teach us, we can experience the sweet fruit of adversity in our lives as well. The sweet fruit of adversity is the super-sized blessings that come in direct result, or compensatory blessing for our righteousness despite loss or suffering.
“Find the compensatory blessings in your life when, in the wisdom of the Lord, He deprives you of something you very much want. To the sightless or hearing impaired, He sharpens the other senses. To the ill, He gives patience, understanding, and increased appreciation for others’ kindness. With the loss of a dear one, He deepens the bonds of love, enriches memories, and kindles hope in a future reunion. You will discover compensatory blessings when you willingly accept the will of the Lord and exercise faith in Him.” – Richard G. Scott, “Finding Joy in Life” (“Finding Joy in Life” Elder Richard G. Scott, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1996/04/finding-joy-in-life?lang=eng)
“As the Lord’s servant, I promise you that as you are faithful to Jesus Christ and your covenants, you will receive compensating blessings in this life and your righteous desires in the eternal time line of the Lord.” – Neal A. Anderson (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/26andersen?lang=eng)
“Sometimes He {Heavenly Father} clearly directs; other times it seems He merely permits some things to happen. Therefore, we will not always understand the role of God’s hand, but we know enough of his heart and mind to be submissive. Thus when we are perplexed and stressed, explanatory help is not always immediately forthcoming, but compensatory help will be.” – Neal A. Maxwell. (Neal A. Maxwell, “Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1995/10/swallowed-up-in-the-will-of-the-father?lang=eng)
“This added spiritual power does not just fall upon us. It comes as we act. The scriptures tell us that “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord,”26 but he and his family still needed to build and enter the ark.” – Neal A. Anderson (Neal A. Anderson, “A Compensatory Spiritual Power for the Righteous” https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/neil-l-andersen/a-compensatory-spiritual-power-for-the-righteous/#byu)
Building and Strengthening Your Roots
The fire is an external circumstance.
The roots were an internal response.
1. Create Lasting Well-Being
“Richard Davidson, neuroscientist found four independent brain circuits that influence our lasting well-being.
Our ability to maintain positive states
Our ability to recover from negative states
Our ability to focus and avoid mind-wandering
Out ability to be generous
There is compelling research that we are born equipped for cooperation, compassion, and generosity.”
Page 56
2. Rise to the Challenge
Shift from threat thinking – Fight or Flight to challenge thinking, Rise to the Challenge
From, The Book of Joy by Dali Llama, Desmund Tutu and author Douglas Abrams
Fears, Stress, and Anxiety, page 97-99
“As chronic stress becomes a global epidemic, our stress response is being studied intensively to see if we can unwind its mysteries. It turns out that our perspective has a surprising amount of influence over the body’s stress response. When we turn a threat into a challenge, our body responds very differently.
Psychologist Elisa Epel is one of the leading researchers on stress, and she explained to me how stress is supposed to work. Our stress response evolved to save us from attack or danger, like hungry lion or a fallen avalanche. Cortisol and adrenalin course in our blood. This causes our pupils to dilate so we can see more clearly, our heart and breathing to speed up so we can respond faster, and the blood to divert from our organs to our large muscles so we can fight or flee. This stress response evolved as a rare and temporary experience, but for may in our modern world, it is constantly activated. Epel and her colleague, Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist Elizabeth Blackburn, have found that constant stress actually wears down our telomeres, the capon our DNA that protect our cells from illness and aging. It is not just stress but our though patterns in general that impact our telomeres, which as led Epel and Blackburn to conclude the tour cells are actually “listening to our thoughts.”
The problem is not the existence of stressors, which cannot be avoided; stress is simply the brain’s way of signaling that something is important. The problem – or perhaps the opportunity – I show we respond to this stress.
Epel and Blackburn explain that it is not the stress alone that damages our telomeres. It is our response to the stress that is most important. They encourage us to develop stress resilience. This involved what is called ”threat stress,” or the perception that a stressful event is a threat that will harm us, into what is called “Challenge stress,” or the perception that a stressful event is a challenge that will help us grow. The remedy they offer is quite straight forward. One simply notices that fight-or flight stress response in one’s body – the beating heart, the pulsing blood or tingling feeling in our hands and face, the rapid breathing – then remembers that these are natural responses to stress and that our body is just preparing to RISE TO THE CHALLENGE.”
3. Utilize breathing techniques. (Rest and digest)
“Deep breathing techniques all have one thing in common, they work by stimulating what is known as the Parasympathetic Nervous System. You may have heard of the ‘fight or flight’ response, the Parasympathetic Nervous System is simply the opposite of that (‘fight or flight’ is the term for the activation of the Sympathetic Nervous System) – instead of getting you ready for action, deep breathing activates a natural bodily response that can be described as ‘rest and digest’. Out-breaths decrease your blood pressure, dilate your pupils and slow your heart rate – lowering emotional arousal in the process. Practicing a breathing technique a few times a day will lower your overall stress levels in the long term.”
7-11 breathing. Keep control of your rational thinking. Do not let fight or flight overrun your ability to stay calm and present. Stay in your body. You can do 3-5. Breathe in your diaphragm. (Humans Givens Institute, “7-11 breathing: How does deep breathing make you feel more relaxed?” , https://www.hgi.org.uk/resources/delve-our-extensive-library/resources-and-techniques/7-11-breathing-how-does-deep)
Identify what your most negative experience and what blessings have come because of a result of that.
Doctrine and Covenants 123:17
“Therefore, dearly beloved sisters and brethren let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power, and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance to see the salvation of God, for his arm to be revealed.”
“You are experiencing the pain of growth, not the pain of decay.” – Angela Nusbaum
“A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles.” Chad Hymas
“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore for you to decide to be happy.”
Redwood Forrest
The art of belonging and the gift of connection
The year after Jonny’s surgery I had my eyes on a Redwood Forrest road trip. For months I dreamed, planned our route, looked at possible hotel rooms, and activities while we were there. The night before fall break started for my kids I asked Jonny if he was feeling up to a road trip. We piled three of our four kids with us. Our oldest was traveling to see her aunt Chrissy in Illinois.
After 2-days in the car, we made it to the Northern California coast! Yippee!!! Our first adventure was to the Lady Bird Johnson trail. (Perfect, right?) The 1.5-mile loop included old growth, massive trees, layers and layers and layers of bush, ferns, moss-covered deciduous trees, and old sequoias. It was a dream come true. I felt like I was walking in heaven. A beautiful white mist descended into the forest canopy. My children were so excited. We practically had the trail to ourselves, they began running and playing. I felt as if we were walking amongst the ancients, these trees were alive in the year 1200. They had lived through seasons of war, of pestilence, of heartache, fire and storms. I ached to green their wisdom and strength. “Kids, shhh. You need to be reverent.”
As Jonny and I were taking pictures about halfway through our solitary trail, I turned around and looked over his shoulder. ”Jonny, Jonny… you have to see this!” Sunlight peeked through the mist and spilled through and between the giant 300-foot tall tribal leaders. Pillars of mystic light shone in every direction out from the penetrating gaze of the sun. Glorious! Brilliant! This scene was ours. How precious. If I were to witness God descending to earth, it would have reminded me of this scene laid out before me.
In that moment I felt God’s supreme and everlasting love. This moment was a compensating blessing for the challenges we have faced and the heartache we had endured. But more than that, it was a reminder of God’s supernal love for our family and awareness of us.
Later that day at the Visitor Center I learned that while the great sequoias stand at over 300 feet tall, their root system only sinks into the earth 12 feet. How is it possible that they can stand tall, be grounded, grow straight, live for thousands of years? They tightly knit their root systems to each other. They aren’t just rooted into to earth; they are anchored to one another! Each tree stands at the epicenter of a 50-foot radial root system. They are resilient because they have each other. They survive lightning, drought, wind, bugs, and disease because they stand together.
I realized that our family had withstood this great storm, because of the incredible people who surrounded us. Our parents, our church family, our neighbors, our team of medical experts. I felt overwhelmed with the out pouring of acute support.
During an acute crisis the community, the church and your family will support you. There is so much safety and love in this space. In the first year of our brain injury journey this includes the support we received: Literally, we would have been homeless if it weren’t for the divine help we received during this time.
- 28 acupuncture appointments
- 40 or so medical massages
- 10 PT appointments
- 4 blood draws
- 1 MRI
- 10 functional medicine appointments
- 4 pre-op appointments
- 5-day hospital stay
- 4 Surgery follow ups
- Countless medications and supplements.
- No flour, no grains, no potatoes, no fruit except blueberries and raspberries, lots of meat, lots of fat, lots of veggies. Yes, to dark chocolate too!
- Combined loss of 65 pounds between the two of us.
- We received, at least 45 meals from friends and family
- Our lawn was mowed at least 14 times
- Dandelions treated
- Freezer filled twice
- Groceries bought
- Kids cared for and entertained
- Anonymous money dropped off
- Gift baskets delivered
- Gift cards provided
- Secret Santas
- Ministry visits
- Priesthood blessings
- Referrals for doctors
- House renovations & remodel to remove mold
AND it’s important for us to develop the resources, skills and connections to sustain our own families and life. This requires emotional resilience. This requires authentic connections. This requires belonging to ourselves, to our families, to our faith and our community.
I also made another discovery. Each Sequoia tree hosts three separate ecosystems. The trees are so tall that a variety of plants and animals resides in their own sphere, in three locations up the tree. If I were to carry this analogy of connecting into our own lives, I realized that as leaders in our communities we too support and sustain three ecosystems. {Our family, our faith and our community}. // }Our employees, Our Clients and Our Family}
Emotional resilience and financial independence provides resources to support others in these three areas. I own my own business, and so it easy for me to hold on to this analogy. Regardless of the type of work; whether you get paid for your work or not, whether you lead a team, or work on your own this applies to you.
A new desire sprung up inside of me. I wanted to be a catalyst of growing/connecting/ inspiring a Redwood Forrest of business and community leaders. I wanted to become tightly knit to my fellow entrepreneurs and thought leaders. Not only would I be strengthening my own family and providing for our own needs, but also providing a community of leaders with the support that comes from connecting.
Brene Brown is the queen of scientific research on belonging and connection. If you haven’t seen her work, I invite you to Google her TedTalk tonight. She has several incredible books that can help you navigate this important topic.
“True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging does not require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.” – Brene Brown
“True belonging is not passive. It’s not the belonging that comes with just joining a group. It’s not fitting in or pretending or selling out because it’s safer. It’s a practice that requires us to be vulnerable, get uncomfortable, and learn how to be present with people without sacrificing who we are. If we are going to change what is happening in a meaningful way we’re going to need to intentionally be with people who are different from us. We’re going to have to sign up and join, and take a seat at the table. We’re going to have to learn how to listen, have hard conversations, look for joy, share pain, and be more curious than defensive, all while seeking moments of togetherness.” – Brene Brown
Empathy is feeling with people.
Brene Brown: Empathy vs. Sympathy
Let’s eliminate the words, “At least….,” and “You should be grateful that…” in our ministering to our brothers and sisters.
Let us express empathy.
Closing Remarks
In closing, I want to share a letter I wrote from Heavenly Father. One of my practices includes writing my prayers, then listening and recording the impressions I receive from Him.
April 26, 2021
Dear Sarah,
Sit with me for a minute, close your eyes. Listen, not with your physical ears – listen with your spiritual ears.
I love you!
You do carry a heavy load, your burdens are heavy. Did you know you are not alone? Yes, I have asked so much of you. Yes, it has been hard. I want you to trust me. Have faith in the plan of happiness. Oh, Sarah! There will be a time that you remember all that has happened, you will be able to recall the events, the friendships you made and cherished. There is wisdom in forgetting heaven. Your heart would break from missing this place.
What I ask of you is worth it. I know the end from the beginning. I know the outcome and the joy. Your life is not a surprise, including the trials and heartache. Trust me. Give me your pain, frustration, and anger. Give me your heart and your confusion.
I will exchange your dark parts for peace, healing, hope, and joy. I will lead you to the most amazing places, and to the kindest people.
Some creators on earth call this magic, I just call it blessings.
Be vigilant. The devourer awaits moments that can destroy you. Keep your disposition cheery. His plan to take you down is determined by your feelings of despair and depression. Guard your home against contention.
Read, seek counsel, study, ask for help in this area. Yes, you must play your part and learn all you can about communication – And if women come unto me, I will show unto her her weakness, I give unto women weaknesses that she may be humble, and my grace is sufficient for all women that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto her.”
-Ether 12:27
Love,
Heavenly Father.
If this year isn’t great. Then trust the month.
If the month is hard, lean into the week.
If the week is a wreck, trust the day,
If the day is unbearable, trust this moment.
At this moment right here and now you are safe. You are loved, you are provided for.
And breathe.
Take this moment and stretch it to two, now three. You’ll make it. Everything is going to turn out alright.
We are going to be alright because Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. He redeemed mankind from the perils of sin and the pain of death. He bridged the gap from our humanity to our exaltation and paved a way for our problems to help us become perfect. His love is infinite, and we are his precious brothers and sisters. He modeled surrender to the Father and perfectly emulated the lasting sacrifice. Because of him, all losses will be transformed into a compensatory blessing, and all pain will be powered into gain. He is the master, he is the mentor, he is the maker of all things beautiful.
