the tragedies, the unanticipated tests and trials, both physical and spiritual,
come to each of us because this is mortality.
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.
The scriptures teach that we will taste the bitter and the sweet and that there will be
“opposition in all things.”
Wounds of the soul are not unique to the rich or the poor, to one culture, one nation, or one generation.
They come to all and are part of the learning we receive from this mortal experience.
Our wounds may come from a natural disaster
or an unfortunate accident.
They may come from an unfaithful husband or wife, turning life upside down for a righteous spouse and children.
The wounds may come from the darkness and gloom of depression,
from an unanticipated illness,
from the suffering or premature death of someone we love,
from the sadness of a family member dismissing his or her faith, from the loneliness when circumstances
do not bring an eternal companion,
or from a hundred other
heart-wrenching, painful
“[sorrows] that the eye can’t see.”
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.
The Apostle Peter said,
“Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial
which is to try you,
as though some strange thing happened to you.”
Along with the bright colors of happiness and joy,
the darker-colored threads of trial and tragedy
are woven deeply into the fabric of our Father’s plan.
These struggles, although difficult,
often become our greatest teachers.
Never give up—
however deep the wounds of your soul,
whatever their source,
wherever or whenever they happen,
and however short or long they persist,
you are not meant to perish spiritually.
You are meant to survive spiritually
and blossom in your faith and trust in God.
God did not create our spirits to be independent of Him.
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
through the incalculable gift of His Atonement,
not only saves us from death and offers us,
through repentance,
forgiveness for our sins,
but He also stands ready to save us
from the sorrows and pains
of our wounded souls.
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].”
“And [Jesus] shall … [suffer] pains
and afflictions and temptations of every kind;
… that … he [might] take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people …
[taking upon Himself our] infirmities,
[being] filled with mercy.”
Pray with all your heart. Strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ, in His reality, in His grace. Hold on to His words: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Remember, repentance is powerful spiritual medicine. Keep the commandments and be worthy of the Comforter, remembering that the Savior promised, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
Look forward. Your troubles and sorrows are very real, but they will not last forever. Your dark night will pass, because “the Son … [did rise] with healing in his wings.”
Even with your own painful wounds,
you will instinctively reach out to others,
trusting in the Savior’s promise:
“Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
The wounded who nurse the wounds of others
are God’s angels on earth.
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.
At that day, the Apostle John testifies,
the righteous “which [come] out of great tribulation”
will stand “arrayed in white robes …
before the throne of God.”
The Lamb will “dwell among [us] …
and God shall wipe away all tears from [your] eyes.”
This day will come.
I so witness
in the name of
Jesus Christ, amen.
Excerpts from the talk
