Your prayers, both in crisis and in routine, are ALWAYS heard...

Our Message to you for February

 Karen and I would like to thank all of you for the prayers you have proffered on our behalf. We cannot express enough the deep gratitude and love we have for all of you. The uncertainty of these last 12 months produced extreme turmoil in our everyday lives. How we shop, worship, gather, and greet each other to mention just a few. For many our lives and activities completely changed. Facial recognition of friends and neighbors is now refined to everything above the mask. You still see the smile in their eyes. 

Elder Ballard reminded us: Jesus taught His disciples to “watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” And In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Savior said, “And all things shall be in commotion; … for fear shall come upon all people.” The drums of fear have been sounded loud by many. Commotion abounds. The actions taken to stem the spread of the virus have left many feeling isolated and alone. Elder Ballard stated and I echo his words: “I think often of those of you who are suffering, worried, afraid, or feeling alone. I assure each one of you that the Lord knows you, that He is aware of your concern and anguish, and that He loves you—intimately, personally, deeply, and forever.” 

We need not fear. John 16:33 tells us: “In the world, ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” That is where we are today. We are uniquely blessed for the guidance of our Prophet Russel M. Nelson. Many thought the changes over the past few years of reduced meeting hours and the implementation of “Come Follow Me” home-centered gospel programs as a significant change in our usual way of worship. Think back over this last year. If we had not implemented the Prophet’s changes, how would we continue learning and being blessed? 

Every change, every move, and every time we thought this is different and embraced these changes, we were preparing for the events of last year and this year. God prepared us to not only endure these events but to thrive and grow our faith and testimonies. You are never alone or isolated. God and your elder brother stand with you. The adversary planned to do evil to God’s children, but God though our Prophet prepared us. All this came to us through prayer which led to a revelation. Jesus said: “Pray always”. What does that mean to you? Give that some thought. How often is “always”? Is it once or twice a day? Is it once a week on Sunday? Is it only when I need or want something? Is prayer always at the tip of your tongue and the forefront of your thoughts? We are more likely to pray when we are in need or experiencing difficulty. 

 The truth is, Heavenly Father loves us and loves to hear from us – both in praise and in need. How many times since you awoke this morning has prayer and praise been on your minds and tongue? Did you wake up grumpy or did you rejoice at still being on the right side of the grass? Do you pray every day? That brings to mind one of many favorite hymns: “Did you think to Pray?” The song takes us through situations and asks in the chorus. “Did you think to Pray?” There are strengths and power in prayer. Prayer conditions your spiritual acuity. We can access many gifts through prayer. Have you thought of what those gifts are? Gifts of the spirit. One key aspect of our spiritual acuity is to recognize we need to act on the promptings or what we sense and hear. 

Some have a refined sense of hearing and pick up the spiritual indicators. Some of us are a bit harder at hearing those prompts. God needs to really get loud with us. Do you want to calm your fears? Exercise your spiritual acuity. When we engage in any spiritual activity or just everyday life, we need to pray. Do you witness something touching or beautiful? Thank God. Are you going to read scriptures? Begin and end with prayer. Wondering about a scriptural passage? Stop and pray. Listen for that guiding impression. Are you going to do a family history? Pray. Listen for that inspiration. You will be inspired. Are you at a crossroads and unsure of the next step? Pray! Listen. Your path will become clearer. 

 My son had fallen and fractured both front teeth. He is not a member. I offered him a blessing and he accepted. In that blessing the message was clear. This was going to be good and the dentist inspired. He asked later what I thought was going to happen. I said: “I believe the blessing, it’s never wrong”. The media has hyped fear and sown dire consequences and uncertainty. We have seen unprecedented attacks on the very fabric of our society, the family, and faith. Fear is overcome through our focus on drawing closer to God and Jesus Christ through exercising our spiritual acuity and taking on His name . Prayer connects us to Heavenly Father. Communication with our Heavenly Father and Jesus is through KNEE MAIL. Prayer tunes acuity and brings us peace! Pray! Don’t think someone else will do that for you. Get personal with God. Elder Ballard said: “I invite you to pray always.7 Pray for your family. Pray for the leaders of nations. 

Pray for the courageous people who are on the front lines in the current battles against social, environmental, political, and biological plagues that impact all people throughout the world: the rich and the poor, the young and the old.” We are in this meeting house worshiping as a direct result of a young man’s prayer seeking an answer in an isolated grove of trees. I am certain young Joseph did not expect the answer he received, but it was an answer to prayer and he was obedient. I taught in Gospel Principles that prayers are usually answered in 4 ways. "Yes, No, in my own time and way, and lastly, you have got to be kidding." 

Another key aspect of our spiritual acuity is taking action. Brother Sanft taught us well on the topic of responding to promptings. When prompted swing into action. What good is getting a prompting to take action, if we do nothing? It might be the urge to call or visit someone. Ask that uncomfortable question. Believe me, this could be just the thing they need. It could be very important; even lifesaving. You will be blessed if you heed the prompting. None of us are perfect. That is why we have the sacrament. We pick ourselves up from a week of trying and strive to do better by preparing for the next week by partaking in the sacrament. Embrace this Sojourn of life. Live it to the fullest! 

Karen was struck twice in the last three months with an infection that spread to the circulatory system or sepsis. I saw the progression the first time her healthy vigor was replaced with extreme pain then the onset of a fever that peaked at 103.5. We contacted the surgeon who did not want Karen to go to the ER. My prompting was to go to the ER. I realize now that I should have acted upon that prompting. Months of pain and treatment followed with ebbs and improvements, but never to where she was before the infection. Things were looking pretty promising. Then….. The second infection started out in the same way – extreme pain. Again the doctor said on Sunday after sacrament; don’t go to the ER and to wait until Tuesday when he was back in the office. I was prompted to take Karen to the ER. I was not going to let the doctor’s advice trump the prompting. 

Just before Karen went to the ER, she received a priesthood blessing that said the medical personnel would be inspired and guided in her care. She had no fever when I took her to the ER. I was not allowed to stay with her. Before this pandemic I would have been able to stay with Karen. Karen felt alone, isolated, and fearful. She knew prayer would help . She said a prayer and was granted peace. I felt helpless and isolated. I prayed and received assurances that she was going to be OK and I was granted peace and comfort. Shortly after her arrival, Karen began to run a fever and experience disorientation, a precipitous drop in blood pressure:  95/35, and vomiting. The systemic staph infection had come back with a vengeance. Now, she was experiencing symptoms of toxic shock. I know how terrible this can be. I lost a friend to this and there was nothing that could be done to stop its progression. 

 Karen’s doctors were inspired to treat and admit her against to protests of her surgeon. An infectious disease doctor was at her side within minutes of being alerted to Karen’s symptoms. The infectious disease doctor told her later that night after being stabilized that if she had waited a few more hours she would not have survived the septic infection. He marveled that she had survived four months with an infection that usually kills the patient in a few days. We know-how, the power of prayer. The doctors at the hospital went to battle for her because they were inspired (their own words). There were elements still working against her even in the hospital. But inspired and guided medical professionals cared for her. 10 days in the hospital. How do you fill the time? Karen said she missed her sewing. I delivered a number of items via Hubby Dasher, she calls and I deliver, but a sewing machine was not going to be one of them. So, how do you think Karen filled 10 days? You got it, doing Family History. A prayer-filled activity. Karen being here today would not be possible if it were not for all the prayers and priesthood blessing. Those prayers brought in the medical professionals to advocate on Karen’s behalf and inspire them to act beyond normal boundaries. The infectious disease doctor would visit her late into the night with the newest test results.

 Thank you for all those amazing prayers!! Brothers and sisters, I implore you to pray always. Tune your spiritual senses and tone your spiritual acuity. There is no greater peace in this world than to have a heavenly father and Jesus Christ at your side to bring peace and serenity into your soul. Therefore, pray always, trust in His guidance, and be prepared to take action when called upon. “I know you thought to pray!” We felt those prayers and we thank you. Never stop praying. Pray always! May your prayers bring you peace that will always be with you, In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our March 13,2021 Zoom call promises to be very interesting.