Here is a powerful quote from Sister Dew that I wanted to share:
"You were born to lead, and in the words of Isaiah, you were born for glory." (Isaiah 62:2-3)
"Now the glorious but sobering truth is that, in spite of your aeons of premortal preparation, the days ahead will at times, "wrench your very heart strings," as the Prophet Joseph told the Twelve. If you've hoped to passively, comfortable live out your lives, let me burst that little bubble once and for all. Now, please, do not misunderstand me: This is a magnificent time to be live! It is a time, said President Spencer W. Kimball, when our influence 'can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times." The strongest runner wants to run the last leg of the relay.
But the last days are not for the faint of heart or the spiritually out of shape. There will be days when you feel defeated, exhausted, and plain old beat-up by life's whiplash. People you love will disappoint you- and you will disappoint them. You'll probably struggle with some kind of moral appetite. Some days it will feel as though the veil between heaven and earth is made of reinforced concrete. And you may even face a crisis of faith. In fact, you can count on trials that test your testimony and your faith.
Aren't you glad I came bearing such optimistic news? Actually, I am nothing if not optimistic about you, for everything about your lives is an indicator of our father's remarkable respect for you. He recommended you for now, when the stakes are so high. Now is the day when His kingdom is being established once and for all, never again to be taken from the earth. This is the last leg of the relay. This is when He needs His strongest runners."
I've been thinking of each of you, my sisters. Our "races" are all a little different with our own challenges, but I think if we remember that our lives are a proving time and that it's not supposed to be easy that can give us a better perspective.
Sister Dew goes on to say, "The simple fact is that our Father did not recommend Eve or moses or Nephi or countless other magnificent exemplars for this dispensation-He recommended you and me. Do you think God would have left the last days to chance by sending men and women He couldn't count on? A common theme of patriarchal blessings given to men and women your age is that you were sent now because our Father's most trustworthy children would be needed in the final, decisive battle for righteousness. That is who you are, and it is who you have always been."
Love you,
amber
