Five Scriptures

My cousin, Becca, was preparing a lesson for the young women in her ward about an article by John Bytheway called "5 Scriptures That Will Help You Get Through Almost Anything", and she made me a copy. I read it through and loved so many things that were written. Here are a few of my favorite parts:

"Early in the Book of Mormon, an angel asks Nephi a tough question, “Knowest thou the condescension of God?” Nephi answers, “I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things” (1 Nephi 11:16–17). Nephi’s answer is a perfect statement for us to remember in times of trial. We don’t know the meaning of all things. We don’t have all the answers to explain all the tragedies in the world and in our own neighborhoods. However, we know, we are sure, that God loves His children. "

"Sometimes our trials are a direct result of someone using their agency to do evil. Often when tragedy strikes, someone will say, “Well, it must have been God’s will.” What exactly is “God’s will”? It seems to me that God’s will is that we choose righteousness over wickedness! However, He also desires that we have a choice in the matter."

"Sometimes people need to look to someone else who relied on Christ’s Atonement and was able to make it through a terrible tragedy...The best way to prepare for death is to live life at its fullest. I believe the Lord will hold us accountable for what we did with our lives whether we have trials or not, whether we marry or not, and whether our life is easy or not."

"And 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, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people” (Alma 7:11–12)...This scripture teaches us that Jesus not only suffered for the things we do that are wrong, but He also suffered for the things which happen to us—things over which we have no control."

"Yea, verily I say unto you, in that day when the Lord shall come, he shall reveal all things—Things which have passed, and hidden things which no man knew, things of the earth, by which it was made, and the purpose and the end thereof” (D&C 101:32–33)....Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full (D&C 101:34–36)."

I love this stuff because I sooooo need it right now. It is so hard to deal with the image of our home barracaded off by crime scene tape, and seeing pictures in the newspaper of police rolling a body bag out the front door on a stretcher. It runs through my mind every minute of every day and my heart breaks over and over again. This is my home, my family and my mother! She was too good for her life on earth to end this way. I feel like it is so unfair and I have to constantly remind myself of these teachings.

It helps me so much to know that my Heavenly Father loves us so much. He knows what we are feeling and in time, He will reveal to us the purpose of all this. Right now we are required only to love. Love our Heavenly Father, love our family, friends and neighbors, love the scriptures and He will handle everything else. When I think of this, my feelings of grief are replaced by anticipation. I cannot wait for the day when we will all be together again.

Oh, my mother! I miss you so much! I want to hold your hand so bad! But I know that you are happy with Heavenly Father. The world where you are is so much more beautiful than even this one, where you have no troubles, care or sorrow, and you deserve that. I love you!