Life-Quakes

by Kari Diane Pike

I found another hidden picture (see my post from two weeks ago)! My mind exploded. The tectonic plates of my perspective shifted and forever changed the way I look at life. Could that be called a "life-quake?" 

In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Samuel describes the signs that will accompany the birth and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Helaman 14:20 Samuel prophesied:

But behold, as I said unto you concerning another sign, a sign of his death, behold, in that day that he shall suffer death the sun shall be darkened and refuse to give his (emphasis added) light unto you: and also the moon and the stars; and there shall be no light upon the face of this land, even from the time that he shall suffer death, for the space  of three days, to the time that he shall rise again from the dead.

"His light"...Somehow I've always read that as the sun refusing to give its light. This epiphany shook me to my very core. Doctrine and Covenants 88: 8-13 teaches that the light of truth - the light of Christ - is in the sun and the moon and the stars, "and the power thereof by which [they] were made...and the earth also." It is the light that gives life to all things and "is the law by which all things are governed."

And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light which quickeneth your understanding. (D&C 88:11)

Samuel also taught that those signs testified of the divine role of the Savior so that "whosoever will believe might be saved" (Helaman 14:29).

I have a better understanding now of why Alma declared "O that I were an angel and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the whole earth..." (Alma 29:1). I shout out to the world and share the joy and hope and peace - the light -  that blesses my life. I know that God lives. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He lived, He suffered, He died, and He lives again. He knows me by name and He wants me to return to live with Him, in the Father's presence. He wants that for all of His children.

I have a young friend whom I've known since he was about 6 years old. During the twenty-something years I have known him, he's never believed in God's existence. Life threw some pretty rough challenges at him. He made a lot of choices that created even bigger problems - and found himself in the dark, deep pit of heroin addiction. 

But you know what? That young man's mother knows the power of prayer. Oh, how she prayed. She prayed hard and long. She asked her friends to pray. And despite her own personal battles, she did what mothers do best. She fought for his life. She went out and looked for him. She picked him up, cleaned him up, and sent him away to a new place to start over. She hasn't stopped praying.

I've been exchanging messages with my young friend. He's experienced his own life-quake. He's beginning to see and feel the Savior's light. Here is a little piece of what he shared with me:

I hope I get to share some more of my experience with you...It's incredible to me how God has taken an interest in me even when I did not take one in him. I have had the sudden and profound realization that I can no longer deny his existence. I'm not sure if my mom has ever or often talked to you about my faith, or [the lack thereof] but I have been a devout atheist since I was about 6 years old...There was an empty God-shaped hole inside of me that I tried to fill with many bad things. I'm just so fortunate to have found him.

Wow.

Elder Richard G. Scott said, "Despite all of the negative challenges we have in life, we must take time to actively exercise our faith". Heavenly Father gave us tools to help us exercise our faith. The first is prayer. The second is scripture study. ("Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority," Ensign, Nov. 2014, p. 92) President Boyd K. Packer said,

The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior." ("Do Not Fear," Ensign, May 2004, 79) 

I know that personal scripture study blesses my life. Every single day. Just as promised, through scripture study, I have found answers to questions, strength through adversity, a greater desire and ability to love, and a stronger testimony of Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and of Their love for me. I can feel that love. I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers. Every single day. I pray that my young friend will feel our Savior's love too!

hugs~