Wednesday, October 22, 2008

The Scriptures

A few days after we found out Emma's diagnosis, I got in touch with another LDS family that had had a baby about six months ago with the same diagnosis. I didn't really know what to say to them, but they were great in responding with love and support. They suggested a lot of things that were helpful to them. They also suggested a particular scripture. This scripture comes from the Book of Mormon.

Alma 7:11-12
And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.


I love how when I read these verses they have the power to speak truth to my soul. However, I found it interesting that I was actually more drawn to another verse in the same chapter. Verse 8 reads,

...for behold, the Spirit hath not said unto me that this should be the case. Now as to this thing I do not know; but this much I do know, that the Lord God hath power to do all things which are according to his word.


Tim and I both received blessings the day after we first found out about Emma. While I wasn't expecting it, I was really hoping that the Lord's will concerning the final outcome of everything would be revealed in one of our blessings. However, it wasn't. As I've continued to pray and study, it's been confirmed to me several times that I am not to know the will of the Lord right now. I am to keep on moving forward with faith and when the time is right, the Lord will reveal his will to us (which may not be until it has actually happened). While this is hard, both Tim and I are willing to put our trust and faith in the Lord. We know that we need to just take this journey one day at a time.

4 comments:

McKenna said...

I've thought a lot about the Atonement being not just for sin, but also for suffering. When The Angel Boy was first diagnosed, I felt a little comforted that I knew the Savior knew exactly what I was going through. But I felt like the Lord wanted me to do more than just be comforted...that He wanted me to apply the Atonement by truly accepting His will, even though I didn't know what it was. I feel like, just like the Atonement can change our hearts when we repent...it can also change our hearts when we suffer if we can accept God's will. Did any of that make sense? I don't think I'm very good at expressing it.

Anonymous said...

Thank you. I am starting to feel and see the power of the atonement, not just in my life, but in the lives of every person who prays. Lehi was traveling in a dark and dreary waste, until he prayed, at which time he became aware of the field where he was, and the Tree of Life, which became his goal. Until we pray and commune, we cannot see or understand our position, our true goals, are possibilities, or our blessings.

Each of these experiences, teach us to put our lives more fully in the hands of Him who suffered all things. It helps us trust that He knows what we are going through, and that He loves us and wants us to learn the same things and build the same character that He has. By so doing, we come to know Him, and His Father. "And this is life eternal, that ye may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom He Has sent."

Anonymous said...

It is easy to want to know how things will end. we think that if we could just know then we would be able to face the challenge at hand. however if you knew how a basketball game ended you might expect it the end result and forget all the work it takes to get there. sometimes you didn't know you could face something hard until it is over and you find strength and that heaven is rooting for you.

Melanie said...

Tiffany, my heart has just been so heavy since I caught up with your blog this week and saw that so much had changed in your life and the life of your family.

It is amazing how much strength we have, that we didn't realize we had, when the Lord stretches us.

Although my heart has been aching for this trial you are having, it is such a blessing to see the amazing strength you have, day by day.

Know that there are more prayers for your sweet baby Emma.