103 1/27/25 Looking to the Savior in all Things

 I was on a visit the other night to a lady in our ward who is a recent convert of about 18 months. She has a few heath issues and suffers from some anxiety. She is about my age, an only child, divorced with no children of her own. You could hear the loneliness in her life as she talked with us. I asked her what had resonated, or drawn her to the message of the missionaries most. She lit up as she talked about the sister missionaries that taught her. The message or teaching that resonated with here most she said, was her desire to live in the Celestial Kingdom. That is what she wants most.

I thought it was so neat. No matter her loneliness and challenges here, she has hope for something so much greater. That hope she knows must be centered on Jesus Christ, who makes it all possible. Possible for her, and for each of us.

We all have “stuff” we go through, and it’s unique and different for everyone. For some, like this good sister, it can be chronic loneliness or health concerns, for others it might be difficulty finding purpose in the day to day grind of everyday living and striving. But whatever it is, there is only one way to find joy and happiness in our struggles, and that is to turn our whole heart and mind to the Savior. 

I love what Elder Rasband taught us recently. He uses the phrase “drama of life”. That can pretty much sum it up for all of us at times. He said, speaking of the Savior, “Time and again, with His pure love and mercy, He sustains us as we face the drama of life. Nephi describes: “My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions. … He hath filled me with his love.”

The only way this works is if we choose to turn to Him. Seek for Him. Not just believe in Him, but believe that the comfort, peace, healing, and understanding he promises us is accessible in our of need. 

Here is an invitation for all of us this week:

• List the saving ordinances you have received up to this point in your life. (For some it may be baptism and confirmation, and for others of us they include temple ordinances and receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood)
• What covenants have you made with each one of these ordinances?

Now consider how you seek for find the Savior in these promises on a day to day basis. This will take some time to ponder, and it is so individual. But that is where we will find the promised power to receive joy in our struggle, big or small.

D&C 84:20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

“Ordinances and covenants help us remember who we are. They remind us of our duty to God. The Lord has provided them to help us come unto Him and receive eternal life.  When we honor them, He strengthens us spiritually.”(Church Handbook)

One common challenge we can all face at different times of life is getting caught in the cycle of “going through the motions”. When this happens, it’s not that we aren’t doing good things, but we lose sight of the real purpose of why we are doing them. 

Elder Uchtdorf taught us to look for the Savior in these times. He said, 

“If you’re seeking a more meaningful experience in Church meetings or in the temple, try looking for the Savior in the sacred ordinances we receive there. Find the Lord in His holy house.

If you ever feel burned out or overwhelmed by your Church calling, try refocusing your service on Jesus Christ. Make it an expression of your love for Him.”

His promises are sure. I know that as we draw near unto Him in our thoughts and actions, He will draws nearer to us. But we must do the seeking. So when we find ourselves struggling, let us seek for relief in the only place that real and true relief can be found, Jesus Christ.

I love each one of you, and hope you have a great week,

Dad

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