FAITH TO BE HEALED

 

"I am convinced that no soul has ever been whipped into this mortal existence; that each one of us came willingly, cheerfully, and gladly; even though we might have known that we were to inherit a body that was crippled, maimed, and deformed, still we were glad to come.....We knew that it meant sorrow, pain, and ultimately, death, and yet we rejoiced in the prospect to come. We saw beyond the valley of the shadow of death, with all of its pain, with all of its suffering, the grand vistas of the eternities, providing for man's eternal and endless progress, on, up and up, until we should attain unto what God is. Yet we knew that we could never ascend until we had descended and had been given a mortal tabernacle, and the union of the spirit and the body had become an accomplished fact. So by the attraction of it all we came gladly and willingly, for our eyes were not so much centred upon the sorrows and troubles of life as upon the grandness of that which lies beyond." (Melvin J. Ballard, "Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin J. Ballard", p. 179)

It is staggering to think we rejoiced to come despite all we would suffer in mortality. Quite clearly we focused more on the grand result rather than the process and I feel we did this for one reason, that reason being our faith in the sustaining and saving power of Christ. Because of this faith we do not need to suffer as much as we do in this life. When the Saviour visited the Nephites post resurrection He told them that their faith was sufficient for Him to heal them (3 N 17:8). Mormon records that they brought to Him ‘their sick and ‘afflicted in any manner’ (v9), which suggests physical and mental sicknesses, and the Saviour healed them all. After all the healings and miracles He performed among them, the Saviour told them it was because of their exceeding faith which He had never seen among the Jews (3 N 19:35).

Some people who turn to God receive an immediate healing and for some it comes over time. Some never receive a total healing but are given strength to bear their mortal frailties. I don't know why. I do know that our part is to exercise utmost faith to receive the healing. I also know that there is a plan for each of us and that we all need to experience suffering at some time to become like Christ who suffered it all. To receive the desired end some need an instant miracle to convince them of Christ's power and love; some need to learn lessons that come through continuous suffering with increments of His sustaining power; and some need to learn to trust and believe and be proved by their patience. I also believe that nobody's acknowledgement of the Saviour's power will go unanswered and their faith not honoured, sometime, somewhere. My heart goes out to those who are in the waiting room. I know something of that place. My belief is though that you will not be left there forever, just don't be afraid, but only believe.

I pledged my life into thy hands

When by example you showed me how;

I promised my pains to endure

When I was with You and even now.

You dried my tears when I barely coped

And carried me when I could walk no more;

You fed me truths I needed to know

And nurtured my flight into the unknown.

I found you at every turn

In the shadow of my heart;

With eager haste I approach Thy throne

And offer my meagre part.

• CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: A Thread of Faith by Howard Lyon)