Saints
for All Seasons
I have childhood memories of a part of the world that could
serve as a picture postcard for the changing seasons of the year. Each passing
month was glorious and wonderful. During a perfect winter day, pristine snow
blanketed the mountains and city streets. Spring brought cleansing rains and
the explosion of green-dressed life. The lazy skies of summer served as a
pleasant blue canvas for the blaze of a bright sun. And spectacular autumn
transformed nature into brilliant shades of orange, yellow, and red. As a
child, I loved each season, and to this day, I love the character and
uniqueness of each one.
We have seasons in our lives as well. Some are warm and
pleasant. Others are not. Some of the days in our lives are as beautiful as
pictures in a calendar. And yet there are days and circumstances that cause
heartache and may bring into our lives deep feelings of despair, resentment,
and bitterness.
I am sure at one time or another we have all thought it would be
nice to take up residence in a land filled only with days of picture-perfect
seasons and avoid the unpleasant times in between.
But this is not possible. Nor is it desirable.
As I look over my own life, it is apparent that many of the
times of greatest growth have come to me while passing through stormy seasons.
Our all-wise Heavenly Father knew that for His children to grow
into the beings they were designed to become, they would need to experience
seasons of adversity during their sojourn in mortality. The Book of Mormon prophet Lehi said
that without opposition, “righteousness could not be brought to pass” (2 Nephi
2:11). Indeed, it is life’s bitterness that allows us to recognize,
contrast, and appreciate its sweetness (see D&C
29:39; Moses
6:55).
President Brigham Young put it this way: “All intelligent beings
who are crowned with crowns of glory, immortality, and
eternal lives must pass through every ordeal appointed for intelligent beings
to pass through, to gain their glory and exaltation. Every calamity that can
come upon mortal beings will be suffered … to prepare them to enjoy the
presence of the Lord. … Every trial and experience you have passed through is
necessary for your salvation.”1
The question is not whether we will experience seasons of
adversity but how we will weather the storms. Our great opportunity during the
ever-changing seasons of life is to hold fast to the faithful word of God, for
His counsel is designed not only to help us weather the storms of life but also
to guide us past them. Our Heavenly Father has given His word through His
prophets—precious knowledge designed to lead us through the challenges of
difficult seasons toward the unspeakable joy and brilliant light of eternal
life. It is an important part of our life’s experience to develop the strength,
courage, and integrity to hold fast to truth and righteousness despite the
buffeting we may experience.
Those who have entered the waters of baptism and received
the gift of the Holy
Ghost have set their feet on the path of discipleship and are charged to
follow steadily and faithfully in the footsteps of our Savior.
The Savior taught that the sun rises “on the evil and on the
good, and … rain [falls] on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45).
Sometimes we cannot understand why difficult, even unfair, things happen in
life. But as followers of Christ, we trust that if we “search diligently, pray
always, and be believing, … all things shall work together for [our] good, if [we] walk uprightly” (D&C
90:24; emphasis added).
As members of His Church, as Saints, we serve joyfully and willingly
in all weather and in all seasons. And as we do so, our hearts become filled
with hallowed faith, healing hope, and heavenly charity.
Still, we will have to pass through all seasons—both pleasant
and painful. But no matter the season, as followers of Jesus the Christ, we
will rest our hope upon Him as we walk toward His light.
In short, we are Saints of God, determined to learn of Him, to
love Him, and to love our fellowman. We are pilgrims on the blessed road of
discipleship, and we will walk steadfastly toward our heavenly goal.
Therefore, let us be Saints in spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Let us be Saints for all seasons.
Teaching
from This Message
The First Presidency has taught, “Some of the greatest sermons
are preached by the singing of hymns” (Hymns, ix).
As you discuss this message, consider singing with those you teach one of these
hymns or another song about enduring adversity: “How Firm a Foundation” (no.
85); “The Lord Is My Shepherd” (no. 108); or “Let Us All Press On”
(no. 243). If you feel prompted, share a time when a stormy season in your
life turned out to be a blessing.
Youth
I
Was Able to Let Go of My Sorrow
By Juan Zhu
The author is from Taiwan.
10789_000_004
When my friends Brother Chen and his wife were baptized into our
ward, I was overjoyed. A year after their baptism, they were
sealed in the temple, and their son who had passed away before they joined the
Church was sealed to them. It was wonderful to see the Chens grow in the
gospel.
Then Brother Chen was killed in a car accident the next year.
Following the accident, his death seemed to always be on my mind and often
haunted my dreams. I woke up in tears and asked over and over again, “Why? Why
does the Lord allow this kind of tragedy to happen? Why does such a thing have
to happen to this beautiful family?” One
day, when I was struggling with these questions, I picked up a lesson manual
and read these words from President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985):
“If we looked at mortality as the whole of existence, then pain,
sorrow, failure, and short life would be calamity. But if we look upon life as
an eternal thing stretching far into the premortal past and on into the eternal
post-death future, then all happenings may be put in proper perspective. …
“Are we not exposed to temptations to test our strength,
sickness that we might learn patience, death that we might be immortalized and
glorified?”1
At that moment, I decided to let go of my sorrow and look into
the promised and possible future. I saw in my mind’s eye Brother Chen happily
reunited with his family. That sight
brought me peace. I know that Heavenly Father will give us the wisdom and
courage to face adversities.
Note
Children
Serving
in All Seasons
10789_000_005
President Uchtdorf teaches that we should “serve joyfully and
willingly in all weather and in all seasons.” In the pictures below, children
are using objects from different seasons to serve others. Match the object in
the right column with its picture in the left column.
“Are We 24/7
Righteous?”
cji
9/1/13
Forbearing all of our
tribulations
remember others
instead of self
finding favor with
the Lord alone
are we all season
Saints today?
Remembering the hymns
of praise
completing our
callings with a will
can we be found doing
our duty
are we truly 24/7
righteous always?
Difficult and
sometimes impossible
yet with Father’s
help and love
we can be found being
perfected
becoming as the
Father as the Son!
Copyright © 2013 –
cji
No comments:
Post a Comment