Elder Lance B. Wickman
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As bereaved, burdened and grieving parents cope with their trials, they should not doubt the goodness of God even when they do not know the reason why they have such trials.
"Grief is a natural byproduct of love. . . . The only way to avoid grief would be to not experience the love; and it is the love that gives life its richness and meaning."
Those whose loved ones have died or continue to have physical ailments despite priesthood blessings and numerous pleadings with the Lord naturally ask "why?" It is one of mortality's tests to face the question of "why" and then let it go and trust in the Lord.
"The Lord has said simply, 'My ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts' (Isa. 55:9). As the Son's will was swallowed up in the will of the father, so must ours."
Prayers on behalf of a loved one are not pointless, even if they do not result in a miraculous recovery.
"The Lord, who inspires the blessings and who hears every earnest prayer, called him home nonetheless. All the experiences of prayer, fasting and faith may well have been more for our benefit than for his."
Elder Wickman told of his young son who contracted a disease that eventually took his life.
"I spoke to the Lord and told Him that we wanted our little boy to return so very much, but nevertheless what we wanted most was for His will to be done and that we, Pat and I, would accept that."
