This past Sunday morning I was blessed to be in a small, intimate meeting with twenty of the most wonderful women I know and Elder Cornish, a General Authority Seventy.
He is soft-spoken, and each word was said mindfully and gently. It truly made me think of “a still voice of perfect mildness” as it says in Helaman 5:30 describing the voice from heaven
He spoke of following the promptings from the Spirit. He said that the Spirit would be very clear with us. He spoke of God’s love for His children. We discussed policies, procedures, heartache, and hope.
He said how he wished we could feel the smallest portion of the love the first Presidency has for us, and I imagine that is the smallest portion of the love God has for us. Heavenly Father knows each of us individually. I picture He and Heavenly Mother talking about their children (us) with concern, love, and hope for our futures just as we talk about our children.
Elder Cornish read the words of this hymn to us. And even though I have sung my whole life, the words were profound to me.
God is always able to be with us – often we have to be willing to receive what he so eagerly offers us. His only desire is to help us become the absolute best, highest, most joyful versions of ourselves.
I know your struggles are challenging, and the day to day can feel overwhelming. I hope you take the time to read the words of this hymn aloud and that they give you strength this week.
How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?
In ev’ry condition—in sickness, in health,
In poverty’s vale or abounding in wealth,
At home or abroad, on the land or the sea—
As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be.
Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’erflow,
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, I’ll never, no never,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!