17 And it came to
pass that as I was thus racked with torment,
while I was harrowed up by the memory
of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard by father prophesy
unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to
atone for the sins of the world.
18 Now, as my mind
caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of
bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.
19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could
remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.
20 And oh, what joy,
and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as
exceeding as was my pain!
Unfinished Prayer
12/06
I walk life's roads
not knowing where
The journey's end
may be
And now life's
questions cloud my heart -
Oh, Lord! Please
help me see!
Oh, Lord, please
help me know my place -
Where I am and where
I go
And if I've worth -
then what it is
Oh, Lord! Please
help me know.
And Lord, if Thou
wouldst heal this heart
Where hurt has hid
so long
That I may now be
free of fear
That right may come
from wrong.
The Lord allows the
horrible to happen because we must all have the opportunity to prove ourselves.
He does not condone bad behavior nor does He forget those who suffer because of
it. It is through His atonement and
redeeming sacrifice that allows for right to come from wrong. By keeping His
commandments and enduring to the end, we are enabled by His grace to make more
than circumstances would otherwise allow.
People can do
horrible things to each other, things I have no experience with even in my
difficult life. Yet it is those who have overcome the worst that have gained
the most compassion and wisdom and power to do good because they know and
understand far more than those who have lived more sheltered lives. Even those
who have made the ill choices have this opportunity through repentance. While
it is not better that they have those experiences of wrong-doing, the truth of
their experience can have a stronger impact in encouraging others to avoid the
same mistakes.
