THE LORD LOVES US

Last Sunday evening we had the pleasure to have a visit and talk from Sister Linda Reeves from the Relief Society General Board and Elder Larry Wilson who is a Seventy in the Area Presidency from Hong Kong.  It was a special privelege to have both of them here.   Both speakers gave excellent talks.   Sister Reeves made a point of finding out the demographics of the audiences asking individuals to stand according to different categories.  She then talked about Heavenly Father's love for each individual.  She also talked about preparing to go to the temple.  We live a long way from a temple. Currently there is a group getting ready to go to the Hong Kong temple.  Others have gone to the Manila, Philipines temple.  Sister Reeves called on some young women and older people from the congregation to  talk about their feelings regarding going to the temple.  She also discussed her love of missionary work.  Elder Wilson talked about some advice he got while in a meeting with the First Presidency in Salt Lake City. "NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER GIVE UP NEVER GIVE UP", and how that could apply in our lives.  He told about a man that he taught over 40 years ago while he served his mission in Brazil.  Last winter he went back to Brazil and was able to baptize that man who is now in his 80s. 

SISTER LINDA REEVES

Here are comments from a talk that Sister Reeves made concerning adversity at a meeting for women in September:

Sharing a personal story of when she was a young mother with a large family and her husband became very ill with a rare disease, Sister Reeves spoke of the importance of staying close to the Savior and Heavenly Father during times of trial.

“As the weeks went by and the sicker he became, the more I became convinced that he was dying,” she said. “I told no one of my fears. We had a large, young family and a loving, eternal marriage, and the thought of losing my husband and raising my children by myself filled me with loneliness, despair and even anger.”

Sister Reeves said that her initial response to this trial was to pull away from her Heavenly Father.

“For days I quit praying; I quit planning; I cried,” she said. “I finally came to the realization that I could not do this alone. For the first time in many days, I knelt down and poured out my heart to my Father in Heaven, pleading for forgiveness for turning away from Him, telling Him all of my deepest feelings, and finally crying out that, if this was what He really wanted me to do, I would do it. I knew He must have a plan for our lives.”

As she continued to pour out her heart on her knees, Sister Reeves said that the sweetest, most peaceful, loving feeling came over her.

“It was as if a blanket of love was flowing over me. It was as if I could feel Heavenly Father saying, ‘That was all I needed to know.’ I determined never to turn away from Him again. Gradually and amazingly my husband began to get better until he made a full recovery.”

Years later, Sister Reeves and her husband were pleading with their Heavenly Father for the life of their 17-year-old daughter.

“This time the answer was no, but that same feeling of love and peace that our Savior has promised was just as powerful, and we knew that even though Heavenly Father was calling her back home, everything would be all right. We have come to know what it means to cast our burdens upon the Lord, to know that He loves us and feels compassion for us in our sorrows and pains. …

No matter the situation someone is facing, it is through turning to Heavenly Father and the Savior that people will feel and see for themselves the love they have for them—individually. It is through the Lord’s Atonement all can find comfort.

“He has not forgotten you,” she said. “Whatever sin or weakness or pain or struggle or trial you are going through, He knows and understands those very moments. He loves you! And He will carry you through those moments. … He has paid the price that He might know how to succor you. Cast your burdens upon Him. Tell your Heavenly Father how you feel. Tell Him about your pain and your afflictions, and then give them to Him. Search the scriptures daily. There you will also find great solace and help.”

We both know that the Lord is very aware of our burdens and heartaches.  Life definitely has it's challenges.  Our responsibility is to stay strong in the face of adversity and turn to the Lord rather than away from him.  We are so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father and a Savior that knows us and loves us.

FRIENDS WITH SISTER REEVES

ELDER LARRY WILSON