Lesson Recap: January 27

Today Jessamyn delighted us with a lesson based on the conference talk from Shayne M. Bowen.

In this talk Elder Bowen discusses the unexpected loss of his 8 month old child from an accident. He discussed the reactions he had, including guilt, sadness, pain, withdrawal and anger. Losing a child is one of the many intense trials we may face. In these trials we feel pain, but we also can grow and through deliberate work come closer to The Lord.

"I have learned that the bitter, almost unbearable pain can become sweet as you turn to your Father in Heaven and plead for His comfort that comes through His plan; His Son, Jesus Christ; and His Comforter, who is the Holy Ghost." - Shayne Bowen

 

Jessamyn taught us about kintsugi or the art of fixing broken pottery. The cracks are filled and then sprinkled with gold, making them even more beautiful. Likewise, our sorrow and brokenness if treated right can make us more beautiful. The power of the atonement can fill our brokenness with gold. We also need to help each other to grow. We've all had moments when others, even when they didn't know what was wrong, have touched us with simple outreach and to build us up.

It is the connections with each other that enables us to thrive. How is it that we fill each others brokenness with gold? Sisters shared that friends have been there in darkest times, through prayer, sitting with us, bringing flowers, and that when moving to new areas we are never strangers because we have the church community. Through the visiting teaching program we get to know a lot of different people, and we learn about other people's lives. We celebrate together and serve each other. These friendships can last lifetimes.

In a painting of the pioneers there is one of a handcart with a woman with her arm up, as if to flag her friend to say, "we made it!"

We seek to understand each other and then to act on that. One sister shared how lonely she was when she first moved here and how a simple outreach of a hello and a pizza from one sister helped her feel welcome and at peace.

The power that is wielded in sisterhood is not wielded in spectacular ways. We needn't give a Herculean effort, but noticing what little things are needed and acting on them.

"It is my prayer that by the power of the Holy Ghost, I may bring some measure of hope, of peace, and of understanding. It is my desire to be an instrument in bringing about a restoration of your faith in our loving Father in Heaven, who knows all things and allows us to experience trials so that we can come to know and love Him and understand that without Him we have nothing." - Shayne Bowen