Dear Friends,
This past summer our stake issued a challenge to all of the Young Women and their leaders to memorize The Living Christ:
The Testimony of the Apostles. In all honesty, I was completely unmotivated and overwhelmed just thinking about it!
At the time I was dealing with a serious illness—one that required a rather immediate and major surgery. I was going to
be gone from work for six to eight weeks, and I was trying desperately to get everything in order, including my responsibilities at
home, with my job, and in my Church calling. I felt like the last thing I needed was one more challenge.
However, feeling somewhat obligated since I was in fact a leader, I began to put forth some effort to comply. Unfortunately,
memorizing has always been very difficult for me, and it did not take me long to feel like giving up. I tried to convince
myself that I had given it a good shot and that I was way past the age of being able to memorize that many words anyway.
Around the same time, while I was driving to work, a new song came on the Christian radio station to which I was
listening. The lyrics sank deep into my heart:
“I know if you wanted to you could wave your hand, spare me this heartache, and change your plan. And I know any
second you could take my pain away, but even if you don't, I pray, help me want the Healer more than the healing. Help me want the Savior more than the saving. Help me
want the Giver more than the giving. Oh, help me want you, Jesus, more than anything.”
At that moment, I knew the challenge to memorize that sacred document was entirely more than just learning the words; it was about writing them on my heart and
allowing them to strengthen my testimony, fortify my faith, and ultimately deepen my personal relationship with the Lord. The next few months became some of the most
spiritual in my life, and I will always be grateful for the inspired and daunting challenge that became such a rich blessing.
Since that time, I have carried my flash cards in the outside pocket of my purse. They are tattered and torn and even smudged with a little chocolate, but they are a most
precious reminder to me of the Living Christ, my Savior and my Redeemer, and the countless tender mercies He has so generously poured out upon me.
Of the Living Christ, President Gordon B. Hinckley bore this powerful testimony: “We know not all that lies ahead of us. We live in a world of uncertainty. For some, there
will be great accomplishment. For others, disappointment. For some, much of rejoicing and gladness, good health, and gracious living. For others, perhaps sickness and a
measure of sorrow. We do not know. But one thing we do know. Like the Polar Star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the
world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith. In sunshine
and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us.”
I hope as you enjoy this wonderful season of Thanksgiving, you will have a chance to reflect on the tender mercies with which you have been blessed, and that you
too will feel the confirmation that He lives! Most of all, I hope you know He will be there unfailingly to assure and to smile on you. How fortunate we are to have a day—an
entire season, really—to remember and recognize all He has done for us.
Sincerely,
Susan Condie
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