How did you feel when you heard or read Elder Andersen’s story about Elder and Sister Norby?

We search for happiness. We long for peace. We hope for love. And the Lord showers us with an amazing abundance of blessings. But intermingled with the joy and happiness, one thing is certain: there will be moments, hours, days, sometimes years when your soul will be wounded.

Have there be times when you have felt that your soul was wounded? 

We each understand that difficulties are part of life, but when they come to us personally, they can take our breath away. Without being alarmed, we need to be ready.

Why are difficult situations an essential part of our mortal probation?

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men

Couldn’t put Humpty together again.

This simple nursery rhyme reminds us that not all illnesses can be cured, not all problems can be resolved. Relationships go sour, jobs are lost, illness strikes, lives are lost and it is all part of the human condition. Adversity is part of our mortal probation, experienced by everyone.

‘These fiery trials are designed to make you stronger, but they have the potential to diminish or even destroy your trust in the Son of God and to weaken your resolve to keep your promises to Him. These trials are often camouflaged, making them difficult to identify. They take root in our weaknesses, our vulnerabilities, our sensitivities, or in those things that matter most to us. A real but manageable test for one can be a fiery trial for another.’ (Elder Neil L Andersen, General Conference, October 2012)

The Savior is our Good Samaritan, sent “to heal the brokenhearted.” He comes to us when others pass us by. With compassion, He places His healing balm on our wounds and binds them up. He carries us. He cares for us. He bids us, “Come unto me … and I shall heal [you].”

In what ways is the Saviour our Good Samaritan?

‘In this mortal experience, we cannot control all that happens to us, but we have absolute control over how we respond to the changes in our lives. This does not imply that the challenges and trials we face are of no consequence and easily handled or dealt with. It does not imply that we will be free from pain or heartache. But it does mean that there is cause for hope and that due to the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can move forward and find better days—even days full of joy, light, and happiness.’ (Elder W Christopher Waddell, General Conference, October 2017)

What counsel does Elder Andersen give for when we are going through these difficult times?

• don’t ever give up
• pray with all your heart
• strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ
• repent
• keep the commandments
• go to the temple
• look backwards
• look forwards

Have you felt the power of any of these suggestions?

We know that the Lord is in control. Elder Evan Schmutz said ‘We can take strength in knowing that all the hard experiences in this life are temporary; even the darkest nights turn into dawn for the faithful. (General Conference, October 2016) In the Book of Revelation we are promised:

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

My brothers and sisters, it is my promise to you that increasing your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will bring you added strength and greater hope. For you, the righteous, the Healer of our souls, in His time and His way, will heal all your wounds. No injustice, no persecution, no trial, no sadness, no heartache, no suffering, no wound—however deep, however wide, however painful—will be excluded from the comfort, peace, and lasting hope of Him whose open arms and whose wounded hands will welcome us back into His presence.

How does it make you feel to know that Jesus Christ will heal all our wounds?

To paraphrase John Bytheway – life isn’t a spectator sport. The Lord doesn’t want us to sit in the stands observing the game and taking notes. He takes us out of the stands and puts us in the centre of the pitch. We risk taking knocks and being injured but we will learn more about the game.

“Following the path of least resistance makes men and rivers crooked.” Saints should be men and women who are prepared to meet the greatest resistance when necessary.  God is not calling us to an easy life, but a life of obedience and faith despite the circumstances. But our Saviour Jesus Christ is always there to comfort and support.

(Passages in italics are excerpts from Elder Andersen’s address)