Our Sorrows May Become Joy

I was reading yahoo news this morning and saw this article “Billy Donovan's Secret Sorrow” by Jason King, The Post Game (online sports news) – I do not keep up with sports, so I really don’t know much about these people’s careers, but their personal stories are touching – to read what they have done with their sorrow to support each other, strengthen their family, strengthen their faith in God, and serve others is remarkable, worthy of sharing, and worthy of emulating.  Click on the link to read the article – it is worth the time:  http://www.thepostgame.com/features/201101/billy-donovans-secret-sorrow#

We do not know always see why we experience heartache, deep sorrow and suffering, but there is purpose in all things. It is truly amazing to see the strength and direction that can come from those experiences. We need to have faith in and trust in the Lord, Jesus Christ, and know we are a part of his plan – the Atonement is for us.  

“But if our sorrow and suffering strengthen our faith in our Savior,  Jesus Christ, “[our] sorrow shall be turned to joy.”  (John 16:20)

“Such trials give us the development of spirituality that we probably never would get if we didn’t have the experience where the very jaws of hell gape open their mouth wide after us. Not only must we survive, but we must develop the ability to have a concern for others while we are suffering. It is a key element in our spiritual growth. As we lose our lives in the service of our fellowmen, we find ourselves.”

“Suffering is universal; how we react to suffering is individual. Suffering can take us one of two ways. It can be a strengthening and purifying experience combined with faith, or it can be a destructive force in our lives if we do not have the faith in the Lord’s atoning sacrifice. The purpose of suffering, however, is to build and strengthen us.” Your Sorrow Shall Be Turned to Joy, Robert D. Hales, October 1983 General Conference

“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)   “Peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;” (D&C 121:7) “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)  “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14: 18)

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4) “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, … that he may know according to the flesh … that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance.” (Alma 7:12–13.)

Sunday Report: Making Eternal life a Priority

      I wanted to share the lesson presentation and handout from today's lesson,  they are linked: How to Prioritize Worksheet  and How to Prioritize Lesson Presentation (download it – it’s 26 pages).  Please take a moment to review them, make some notes on the worksheet, and keep it close so it serves as a valuable reminder what you are focusing on.

      To our sisters serving in Young Women and Primary and those who were not with us today, this is an opportunity to be apart of the lesson and to be an active part of our Relief Society through a unified purpose.
Fittingly with the start of a new year we often make decisions to start a good habit or stop a bad one, to -all around- be better.  This lesson serves as an idea of where to start. 

     We as the Chesapeake Ward  Relief Society will be focusing this year on these essential priorities that lead us to eternal life (scripture study, prayer, sacrament, and temple preparation/ attendance), our presidency lessons will focus on these aspects, our additional monthly Relief Society meetings will focus on these "essentials", helping us to  develop "necessary" skills, and to give us an opportunity to develop and enjoy the "nice to do" areas as well.  

     As each of us make the "essentials" a priority we will be individually blessed, our testimonies strengthened, and collectively as a Relief Society (and a ward) we will see and accomplish miraculous things. 

     I would encourage each of us to focus on these areas, particularly making the essentials for eternal life the first to be identified on the calendar and daily to do - make them a priority, feed your spirit first. Perhaps keep notes/ journal of your experiences or share them with a friend, visiting or home teacher, It would be wonderful to share and report your faith  promoting experiences during fast and testimony meeting or in Relief Society testimony time, as we share these experiences we are helping to build our own faith and also the faith of those whom we share.

      I testify that when we choose to put our focus of eternal life and continue to work on the essentials, we will be blessed with the time, energy, and means to do the Lord's will.  We will have a stronger relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven, and be more in tune with the Holy Ghost - what incredible blessings.

     Today, some of you shared with me and others your goals, I love that you shared them, I would love to have more gospel discussions with each of you - this is how we learn and grow.  It is my privilege and blessing to see your testimonies grow and your faith strengthened. 

      Prayerfully determine what you can do to be more diligently on the path to eternal life, it is a path, it is not a race, there is no "done" this is an ongoing processes for everyone for our whole life.  For some preparing to go to the temple will be a slower road than others, perhaps scheduling and establishing regular prayer and scripture study may prove difficult, perhaps there are other struggles that are personal that need to be brought to the Bishop, what ever your pursuit, continue to more forward - even if only a small step at a time "behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass" Alma 37:6. 

     I know we are capable of extraordinary things, "We are going to do something extraordinary… we expect extraordinary occasions and pressing calls." (Emma Smith, the first Relief Society president, ordained on March 17, 1842, quoted from the Minutes of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo, 17 March 1842)

With Love,
Sister Laura Kimball
Chesapeake Ward Relief Society President