Bishop Richard C. Edgley
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"Some time ago I received an anonymous letter from a heartbroken mother expressing her suffering and pain for a son who had committed grievous transgressions. . . . I have had a great desire to express my love to her and others in similar circumstances in an attempt to give some comfort and hope to those who are anonymously carrying heavy burdens."
It may seem difficult and painfully foreign to find good in personal tragedy and suffering, but an understanding of Christ's plan of redemption puts it into perspective. An elder brother stepped forward and offered to make it all right. He would bring peace, hope, forgiveness and the resurrection of lives.
"Most of the heartache, pain and suffering we would not choose today. But we did choose. We chose when we could see the complete plan."
The challenge is to have the kind of faith during hard times that we had when we first chose — the kind of faith that all will eventually be made right.
From our sorrow, "we can seek out those memorable moments that are frequently hidden by pain and agony. We can find peace in extending ourselves to others, using our own experiences to provide hope and comfort."
Most of us would rather learn the hard lessons of life in a secure setting, but it is out of our adversity that we might seek our greatest triumphs.
I believe in prayer, faith, repentance and the redemption.
"And yes, Sister Anonymous, I believe in you. And so does a loving Father in Heaven."
