Lately I have had quite a few things on my mind and decisions to make and things that are just worrying me. With the recent earthquake and tsunami, I have been pretty freaked out. Things like that tend to disturb me and then I watch a newscast or a video to see more and then I get even more freaked out and upset and sad. It is like this vicious circle. I have also been frustrated about some decisions that I am trying to make and I am not getting an answer and basically just don't know what to do. I am really lucky because I have some awesome people in my life who tend to be the answers to my prayers. Yesterday after worrying about the people of Japan and feeling very anxious, I woke up to this amazing email in my in-box.
"Dear Ward Members...
With what's happening in the world today, I would like to share a quote from Elder George Q. Morris from the April 1959 General Conference Report, pg. 102:
"We are living in [the] great dispensation when the culmination of all the history of the world and the work of God among the children of men, up to the time of the millennium, will be brought to pass. These great changes in nations cannot be brought to pass without great political upheaval, without wars and calamities...But bear in mind that the Lord is directing this world...
So, let us [remember] that this world is in the hands of God. All these things will happen only so far as they are in accordance with his plans and his purposes. [So] let us not waste our time and our energy and get in a nervous condition about what is going to happen to the world. This is not our sphere of responsibility. The Lord will take care of that. It remains for us to be devoted to the upbuilding of his kingdom and facing whatever conditions may come to us."
From Elder L. Tom Perry . . .
"On a daily basis we witness widely fluctuating inflation; wars; interpersonal conflicts; national disasters; variances in weather conditions; innumerable forces of immorality, crime, and violence; attacks and pressures on the family and individuals; technological advances that make occupations obsolete; and so on. The need for preparation is abundantly clear. The great blessing of being prepared gives us freedom from fear, as guaranteed to us by the Lord in the Doctrine and Covenants: “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30).
Brothers & Sisters . . . Let us follow the prophets and do as they have asked us to do. Preparedness brings peace. "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." - D&C 38:30"
We have the most amazing Provident Living person in our ward. She just amazes me and she was an answer to my prayer. I need to have more faith in my Heavenly Father and not "get in a nervous condition" about what is going on around me.
The second answer came today during our Relief Society Presidency Meeting. Melanee read to us from the February 2011 Ensign article, "Finding Answers."
This was my favorite paragraph from what she shared.
"President Brigham Young explained this doctrine: “If I do not know the will of my Father, and what he requires of me in a certain transaction, if I ask him to give me wisdom concerning any requirement in life or in regard to my own course, or that of my friends, my family, my children, or those that I preside over, and get no answer from him, and then do the very best that my judgment will teach me, he is bound to own and honor that transaction, and he will do so to all intents and purposes.”
I am grateful to have such amazing people in my life who are in tune with the spirit and who help me with the things they say and do. They truly do answer my prayers.
