The Ultimate Physician

I’m sorry that I don’t have much content this week. I’m still sick and it has kept Elder Diaz and I at the apartment for a big part of our week. I’m not dying, so don’t stress too much. We are going to the hospital for my medical results after our time here at cyber to figure out what’s up. But, even though we spent little time at sector, that does not mean that nothing special has happened. Miracles happen every day, big and small.

On mecredi, we stopped by Fr Daniel at his little barber shop. He, as usual, greeted us with a smile and a handshake, and invited us in. It is always very humbling to teach in the small wooden constructions where people work or even what they call their homes. It was even more humbling, when we found out that he had just lost his mom. We couldn’t tell when we first met him, but after he said that, I could visually see that his shoulders were slumped, and that there was deep sorrow in his eyes. I can’t perfectly quote him, but he said something like “je garde ça dans mon coeur et les gens ne voient pas mon souffrance.” In other words, he was grieving, and he was keeping it inside him. Bearing that burden alone. It’s hard to express the emotions that are in my heart in the words I write, but I just stopped typing for a little bit to cry for him. He is such a sweet and kind man, it was so sad to see him suffering like that. Elder Diaz and I shared with him the plan of salvation and the blessings of the temple. As he looked at one of the pictures we had on hand of a temple, I saw his body relax a little, and his eyes began to water. The comforting power of the Spirit is so real. After we were done, his voice was somewhat shaky, but he said “thank you.” A soul comforted and pain diminished, we left him with a prayer and our testimony that he will see his mom again. The Lord doesn’t cease to amaze me with His goodness.

That reminded me of an experience that I had in the hospital last Sunday. I was alone in my room, until some hospital staff brought in a neighbor. He was a really nice guy, in his late 50’s and is originally from France. We’ll call him Mark because, well, that’s his name. I started talking to him, and we had good conversations, even in my far from perfect French. We eventually came to the topic of religion, of course. We talked a little bit, and something that he said I won’t ever forget. I asked him what his thoughts on God were, and on this life in general. He said, in my interpretation “I believe that God exists. Look at all the wonderful things in our life, nature, animals, everything that exists proves that there is a God. But why would he send us here to simply grow up, suffer, and die?” I tried my best to respond to his question, which was a really good one, but all he said was “peut-être” “peut-être.” Maybe. And it made me really sad, honestly. He was such a good guy, such a good person, but he just couldn’t see that there is more to life than what the world has to present us. It made me think of a scripture that I read recently

Ether 12:4 - "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."

There is most certainly a better world waiting for us in the mansions that our Father has prepared for us. It is saddening to see that people don’t have hope for eternal life. Shockingly, many members don’t think that they qualify for that blessing. Like the scripture says, we need to have faith that we are worthy of that blessing, to be able to actually receive it. For those of you that have that “hope for a better world,” I congratulate you. That assurance is a gift from your Heavenly Father. Always stay worthy of that. If you don’t have that hope, ask yourself why. Does that thought come from God, or not? The adversary seeks to destroy our confidence in all good things, planting seeds of doubt and confusion in our lives. If you don’t believe it, look at our world today. Chaos and disarray are everywhere. The Lord doesn’t work in darkness. Doubt and fear are the exact opposite of faith. If you doubt you are worthy, have faith that you are worthy. If you know you aren’t worthy, get worthy. The path is hard but you have the ultimate Physician on your side. He can cure any sickness, heal any heartache, cleanse any sin. He is our Savior, the one who bled at every pore and suffered on the cross of Calvary for us. I testify that He Lives. He loves you. He wants you to live in the light. There is power in the plan of salvation, and comfort in knowing that there is indeed a life after this one and that we will see our loved ones again. Hope for a better world after, have faith that God loves you and that you can have the gift of eternal life. Peace is the ultimate answer. The Holy Ghost is there to be your constant companion, so that you never go astray. I love you, and I hope that you will take these words to heart. There is a better world after this one, and all our trials and suffrances here will be but a small moment.  I have a personal testimony that He lives. He is The Christ, the Lamb of God, the Savior of mankind. He loves you. Forever. Until next week.

- Elder Lyman

In the hospital again getting some testing done

 

 

Elder Lyman and Soeur Linda, the Vridi1 ward missionary.

 

 

 

 

•Elder Lyman was given results and new meds to try at his appointment today. The infection should be cleared up in twenty days...