Each of us has seasons of grief or sorrow, discouragement or disappointment in our lives. Some of these situations are deep and harrowing in their scope, their breadth and length sapping hope from our hearts and joy from our outlooks. They can leave us mired in disappointment and sadness, and unable to participate in the joy of the recent Christmas festivities and the appreciation of its sweet message.

A few years ago, I was struggling with a situation that was hurting my heart and spirit. Despite months of regular fasting, frequent temple attendance and pleading prayers, the circumstances about which I was concerned had only worsened. Discouragement and sorrow were battling hard to send my faith and happiness fading into a small, grieving corner of my heart. Having a free day to myself in St. George, Utah, I decided to spend the afternoon in the temple. I would seek again for intervention, for a miracle, for revelation as to my role in solving this difficult situation.

As I entered the chapel, I noticed that every other person in this small group was white-haired with age. There were several using canes, and a lovely woman in a wheelchair. I was struck with the thought that these sweet sisters and brothers had most certainly survived many sorrows in their lengthy lives, and yet, here they were, still serving faithfully, their faces expressing serenity and happiness. The woman in the wheelchair smiled at me, a broad welcoming smile like those usually reserved for a good friend. I was already feeling glad to be there.

With several minutes to spare before the next endowment session, I opened the Book of Mormon to Mosiah 4. The words I was reading were standing out to me as if highlighted.

"And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God … standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come …

"And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God" (Mosiah 4:11-12).

"Always rejoice." How had I missed that before? As I read it, my aching heart was filled with peace. I could not solve the problem I was concerned about, but I could remember that I had been given the gift of knowledge of my Redeemer. I have a Savior, and He loves me, as does my Father in Heaven. If they loved me, they knew my situation, my sorrows and concerns. I could have hope that all would be resolved in time and according to the Lord's will. I could leave it in their capable, omniscient hands, and focus on the one thing that matters most in my life—that wonderful knowledge of their existence, and of the gift given by the Savior to me and to all.

The rest of my experience in the temple that day was sweet and blessed. The session was vivid and meaningful as I hoped my Norwegian ancestor, for whom I was performing this work, would accept the work done in her behalf. As I finally entered the celestial room, the last person to do so, I saw my "friend" in the wheelchair. She was waiting by the exit door, seemingly just for me to arrive. She gave me another warm smile, then turned to her assistant and nodded that they could now leave. I folded reverently into a soft chair and sat several moments, pondering the insights I had gained.

Years later, the worrisome situation I grieved about that day has not resolved, and other deep concerns have come and gone, but I have not lost the perspective I gained from Mosiah 4. I still rejoice in my Savior and savor the hope that His Coming gives to all the world.

Bobbi A. Smith is a member of the Holladay 4th Ward, Salt Lake Holladay South Stake.