While I Was Sick...

Elder Scott's address, "Temple Worship: The Source of Strength and Power in times of Need," has occupied my thoughts lately firing a catapult of introspection. I want to share just a part of that, but first allow me to bullet-point a few of my favorite parts of his talk.

• "When we live righteously and have received the ordinances of the temple, everything else is in the hands of the Lord. We can do the best we can, but the final outcome is up to Him. We should never complain, when we are living worthily, about what happens in our lives."

• "When we keep the temple covenants we have made and when we live righteously in order to maintain the blessings promised by those ordinances, then come what may, we have no reason to worry or to feel despondent."

Of late, several friends have asked me how I cope with the myriad of health problems my body seems to collect and claim it is unfair--thus the reason for this post.

I would love to say that I have always been positive, hopeful, and calm. That, however, would be untruthful. When I grew too sick to serve a mission, I was heart-broken, somewhat angry, and confused. Luckily, I was blessed with many people, places, and things to help me keep an eternal focus and stay upbeat: one of which was the temple.

Just a few, short months prior to my first diagnosis I had the blessing to attend the Houston temple (pictured above) where I made sacred covenants to live righteously. As I worship within the peaceful walls of the temple, I gain understanding of my life's purpose and am equipped with strength to combat life's battles. I know that the temple was and continues to be a great source of strength for me and my family throughout my illness.

Though I was very young, I could not have been endowed at a better time. The "blessings promised" by the temple ordinances have given me hope in times of extremity. So to answer my friends, the lessons and understanding I receive in the temple, as I focus on the Savior and His atonement, help me to "cope." I am thankful for temples.

***You can find out more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints here.

*** Also, I don't want pity for my health problems. + I am feeling and doing much better these days.