we went on our way REJOICING
Heidi Swinton was one of my favorite speakers at Women's Conference. Her message was such a revelation for me! She told this story:
Wilford Woodruff was called to take 100's of saints west to Illinois. He had never done anything like this but knew the request came from the Lord, so he went. While he was traveling west, his wife Phoebe became very ill. At one point, she looked to be dead. Wilford Woodruff waited patiently by her bedside.
Phoebe Woodruff wrote that while she was laying ill, her spirit left her body and she met an angel who told her she had a choice. She could come with him now or she could go back, but if she went back she had to promise to endure with her husband all that would be asked of Wilford. She immediately said to send her back. She awoke, got up out of her bed and she and Wilford "went on our way rejoicing."
Sister Swinton then made two powerful points:
1) At the close of every bad day and after consecutive bad experiences, do we go on our way rejoicing because we have confidence and hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ? Or do we flail in anger, disappointment, annoyance, frustration, fear...
Her 25 year old son, a husband and father, was diagnosed with cancer. She hopes that it can be said of them that they went on their way rejoicing because they knew the Lord loved them and would heal her son as he was promised in a priesthood blessing.
2) Wilford Woodruff was on the Lord's errand when his wife was taken deathly ill! It is a mistake to think because we are doing the right things or the things the Lord asks of us that we won't endure trials. But the Lord will make more of us than we are if we continue in his work and in faith.
When I was preparing my sharing station, something I felt like I was supposed to do, everything seemed to be going wrong. Ethan was needier than ever, Emily did nothing but scream at everyone for three days solid, there were extra people at my house... and I found myself angry with the Lord for letting all this happen when I was doing a good thing! I was mistaken to think that meant all hardships would cease or even wait. And the Lord did make more of me than I am! I have had this miraculous experience often and have been so ungrateful for it! I was able to take care of my family's needs AND pull together a booth that I think made a difference for many women, most especially myself! It wasn't how I wanted it to be, but it was enough and the Spirit was able to use my simple efforts and magnify the message! When it was over, I was so grateful for this opportunity- to attend classes, to prepare and participate in sharing stations, to spend time with my good friend, to feel the Spirit... and I truly went on my way rejoicing!!
Wilford Woodruff was called to take 100's of saints west to Illinois. He had never done anything like this but knew the request came from the Lord, so he went. While he was traveling west, his wife Phoebe became very ill. At one point, she looked to be dead. Wilford Woodruff waited patiently by her bedside.
Phoebe Woodruff wrote that while she was laying ill, her spirit left her body and she met an angel who told her she had a choice. She could come with him now or she could go back, but if she went back she had to promise to endure with her husband all that would be asked of Wilford. She immediately said to send her back. She awoke, got up out of her bed and she and Wilford "went on our way rejoicing."
Sister Swinton then made two powerful points:
1) At the close of every bad day and after consecutive bad experiences, do we go on our way rejoicing because we have confidence and hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ? Or do we flail in anger, disappointment, annoyance, frustration, fear...
Her 25 year old son, a husband and father, was diagnosed with cancer. She hopes that it can be said of them that they went on their way rejoicing because they knew the Lord loved them and would heal her son as he was promised in a priesthood blessing.
2) Wilford Woodruff was on the Lord's errand when his wife was taken deathly ill! It is a mistake to think because we are doing the right things or the things the Lord asks of us that we won't endure trials. But the Lord will make more of us than we are if we continue in his work and in faith.
When I was preparing my sharing station, something I felt like I was supposed to do, everything seemed to be going wrong. Ethan was needier than ever, Emily did nothing but scream at everyone for three days solid, there were extra people at my house... and I found myself angry with the Lord for letting all this happen when I was doing a good thing! I was mistaken to think that meant all hardships would cease or even wait. And the Lord did make more of me than I am! I have had this miraculous experience often and have been so ungrateful for it! I was able to take care of my family's needs AND pull together a booth that I think made a difference for many women, most especially myself! It wasn't how I wanted it to be, but it was enough and the Spirit was able to use my simple efforts and magnify the message! When it was over, I was so grateful for this opportunity- to attend classes, to prepare and participate in sharing stations, to spend time with my good friend, to feel the Spirit... and I truly went on my way rejoicing!!
posted by jenn | 5/08/2006
3 Comments:
Thanks for sharing that story from Women's Conference. I want to be a woman like Wilford Woodruff's wife who can go about rejoicing while in the midst of life's struggles, I fear this is not the case for me. It's ridiculous that I feel like I can find the positive in everyone else's lives, and be full of good suggestions for how they can help themselves yet seem to crumble when it comes to my own life.
I love how you said the booth wasn't what you wanted it to be, but it was enough. I need to learn that a lot of what I do is enough, and that it doesn't have to be perfect.
Wow! I would kind of like to read Phoebe's journal to see if she really did remember to "rejoice" through every trial, or if she sometimes forgot.
I am loving these notes from women's conference. I know that I don't go on my way rejoicing. But I want to. Thanks for the inspiration.
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