Lesson for July 2, 2017

Today our lesson was given by our president, Suzy Sullivan. She taught us about talks, one by Elder Simmons "Let Us Not" and Elder Bednar and how we should say Thy Will Be Done. We need to trust that God loves us and has the big picture in mind. You have to let go of trying to counsel the Lord. You have to keep doing what you can, but even if you don't know what is next in store for you, you need to trust that God knows best and has the big picture in mind. You do know that Heavenly Father can give us extra grace and strength to handle what we have to go through. If we dont get what we want, we can still trust in our Heavenly Father and have peace that His will happens. You try to understand what is happening and why it is His will. What should be learn from the situation and not become bitter or angry. Suzy played part of Elder Bednar's talk about a couple who went through adversity. The husband was diagnosed with bone cancer with nodules in his lungs. He felt he had failed as a husband. His wife said it changed her perspective. She said it was the worst day of her life, but she was grateful for their temple marriage. Chemotherapy affected his health and psychology. They would sometimes wonder what Heavenly Father had in store for them. They found that prayer was their savior. The husband had surgery on one of the tumors. They found that the eternal principles they learned were invaluable. They had to find the faith to not be healed. They had to accept that the blessing they needed was contingent on not being healed. They recognized a principle that strong faith in the Savior must take into account the timing and purpose of Jesus Christ as a child submits to its father. What seemed to be perplexing questions, came to be seen as major principles to learn, such as "He that shall find his life shall lose it. Lots of paradoxes seemed to present themselves to the couple. They submitted their will to the will of the Father. True faith is to trust the Lord. The important thing is that they exhibit that true faith. None of us are going to escape challenges, so we'd better be strong. The time we have together with our families is a blessing, even if there are problems. Those who are made stronger can help others. Suzy told of how her husband wanted to go get a PhD and did not get accepted. They were puzzled, but then they started their own business and they got what they wanted, but a different way from what they thought they would get. Fear not, but believe. See what you do have as a gift. Sometimes we are blessed by some of our most painful experience. Sometimes when you plan things out, they do not turn out as great. We do our best with what we know and then accept what God gives to us. Elder Bednar said that if all maladies were removed, the plan of the Lord would be frustrated. He loves us and we are in his hands.