Elder W. Craig Zwick
Of the Seventy
If we will . . . walk hand in hand with Him in His paths, we will go
forward with faith and never feel alone.
In the eyes and hearts of many people in the world today, there
is evidence of doubt, fear, and hopelessness. Much of the
insecurity in the world has filtered into our homes and personal
lives. No matter what our age or circumstance, we all have a need
to know that we have power in the present and hope in the future.
Listen to the words of Mormon: "Know ye not that ye are in the
hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power?" (Mormon
5:23).
Hands are one of the symbolically expressive parts of the body. In
Hebrew, yad, the most common word for "hand," is also used
metaphorically to mean power, strength, might (see William
Wilson, Old Testament Word Studies [1978], 205). Thus, hands
signify power and strength.
The extended hand of our living prophet, President Gordon B.
Hinckley, strengthens, lifts, and inspires people all across the
world.
To be in the hands of God would suggest that we are not only
under His watchful care but also that we are guarded and protected
by His wondrous power.
Throughout the scriptures, reference is made to the hand of the
Lord. His divine assistance is evidenced over and over again. His
powerful hands created worlds, and yet they were gentle enough to
bless the little children.
Consider John's words describing the resurrected
and glorified
Savior: "And when I saw him, . . . he laid his right hand upon me,
saying unto me, Fear not; . . . I am he that liveth, and was dead;
and, behold, I am alive for evermore" (Revelation
1:17–18). When
He lays His hand upon us, we, like John, can be alive in Him.
Twenty-four years ago, our tiny newborn son struggled for his life
in the intensive care unit of a hospital. His lungs were not fully
developed because of his premature birth, and he desperately
fought for each breath of air. He was so small but with so much
will to live. As young and inexperienced parents, my courageous
and ever faithful wife, Jan, and I prayed that the Lord's hand would
reach out and somehow help our baby boy continue to breathe. As
I put my trembling hand through the small opening into the
isolette, I felt so inadequate and powerless. I took hold of the tiny
but perfect hand of our newborn son, and there was a powerful
spiritual connection never to be forgotten. Two fingers from each
of my hands covered his tiny head as I administered to him.
Our desire for him was pure, but we knew that his earthly
experience rested in the Lord's hands and not in ours or in the
medical team who cared for him. I then humbly realized that my
quivering hands held power and authority well beyond my own.
My fingers on his head symbolized the placing of God's hands and
power upon our son. Following that blessing, in a moment of
emotional peace, my eternal companion and I looked at each other
across the isolette, feeling the spirit of renewed hope and comfort
born of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in the personal effect of
His Atonement. It was a powerful witness of His love for an infant
son who had just left His presence. We were then better prepared
to accept His will for our son. We truly felt we had placed our
hands in the hands of the Savior. It was as if the Savior's own
hands provided the critical respiratory aid, allowing our son to
breathe and gain sustenance. With each breath and with each
incremental bit of progress, we expressed prayerful thanks. Today,
our healthy son and his indebted parents continue to be so grateful
for the Savior's willing hands.
Among the supernal promises of coming forth in
the morning of
the First Resurrection and inheriting "thrones, kingdoms,
principalities, and powers" are the additional promises of "all
heights and depths" (D&C 132:19). The great plan of happiness
includes a proverbial roller coaster of challenging times along with
the most joyful times. Yes, we all have our moments of difficulty
and heartbreak. Occasionally, they are so difficult for us that we
just want to give up. There are times when our steps are unsteady,
when we feel discouraged and even reach out in desperation.
Elder Holland reminds us that the "symbol of the cup that cannot
pass is a cup that comes in our life as well as in [the Savior's]. It is
in a much lesser way, to a much lesser degree, but it comes often
enough to teach us that we have to obey" (Trusting Jesus [2003],
42).
Every one of us needs to know that we can go on in the strength of
the Lord. We can put our hand in His, and we will feel His
sustaining presence lift us to heights unattainable alone.
When a stricken father brought his terribly afflicted
son to Jesus,
Mark records that "Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up;
and he arose" (Mark 9:27).
We must trust in the Lord. If we give ourselves freely to Him, our
burdens will be lifted and our hearts will be consoled.
Elder Scott has recently counseled: "Trust in God . . . no matter
how challenging the circumstance. . . . Your peace of mind, your
assurance of answers to vexing problems, your ultimate joy depend
upon your trust in Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ"
("The
Sustaining Power of Faith in Times of Uncertainty and
Testing," Liahona and Ensign, May 2003, 76, 78).
How do we learn to trust? How do we learn to extend our hand and
connect to the comfort provided by the Lord?
Clear instruction came from the Lord to Joseph
Smith: "Learn of
me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and
you shall have peace in me. . . . Pray always, and I will pour out
my Spirit upon you" (D&C 19:23, 38).
Here are four keys:
- Learn
- Listen
- Seek the Spirit
- Pray always
The Lord will provide sustenance and support if we are willing to
open the door and receive His hand of divine assistance.
President Thomas S. Monson reminds us of the Savior's
willing
hand of rescue: "Adored is the hand that saves—even the hand of
Jesus Christ, the Son of God. . . . With that hand he knocks upon
the door of our understanding" ("Hands," Tambuli, Mar. 1991, 5;
Ensign, Aug. 1990, 5).
Recently our daughter and son-in-law were preparing to enjoy an
evening together. They were rushing around trying to get ready and
give the babysitter some last minute instructions. They didn't really
notice the sad countenance of one of the children and the tears in
the eyes of another until they were at the door, ready to leave. They
realized that their children were apprehensive about their mommy
and daddy being away from them. So their parents gathered their
four precious children around them. Their daddy asked them to put
their hands out in front of them. All eight tiny hands were
extended. Mom and Dad then kissed each hand and told them that
when they missed them or they were frightened or needed to feel
their love, they could put their little hands up to their cheeks and
they would be able to feel Mommy's and Daddy's presence
anytime. They were so happy, and when our daughter and
son-in-law left, they saw four little children standing at the window
with smiles on their faces and hands on their cheeks.
They trusted their parents. They knew they were loved.
Just as little children trust, each of us must have that same
childlike, unreserved trust. We must all remember that we are sons
and daughters of God and that He loves us very much. If we truly
understand who we are, we will have an unfailing source of hope
and comfort.
We can never complete "the race that is set before us" (Hebrews
12:1) without placing our hand in the Lord's.
Several years ago, our only daughter decided to
compete in a marathon. She trained and worked very hard, along with some
of
her friends. The race was difficult, and there were times when she
wanted to quit. But she kept going, just concentrating on one step
at a time. As she was approaching the middle part of the course,
she heard someone behind her shout out, "Blind man on your left."
She turned her head only to see a blind man overtake her, holding
the hand of another man. They were both running the race. As they
passed, she could see how tightly the blind man held the hand of
his friend.
Overcome with her own physical pain, she was lifted as she
watched these two men run hand in hand. He who could see was
motivated by his blind friend, and the blind man depended upon
the connection he had to his friend's hand. Our daughter knew the
blind man could never finish the race alone. She was inspired by
the trust of the blind man and the devoted love of his friend.
In like manner, the Savior has stretched forth
His hand to each of
us so that we don't have to run alone. "To those [of us] who
[occasionally] stagger or stumble, He is there to steady and
strengthen" (Trusting Jesus, 43). As we advance toward the finish
line, He will be there to save us; and for all this He gave His life.
Imagine the wounds in His hands. His weathered hands, yes, even
His hands of torn flesh and physical sacrifice, give our own hands
greater power and direction.
It is the wounded Christ who leads us through our moments of
difficulty. It is He who bears us up when we need more air to
breathe or direction to follow or even more courage to continue.
If we will keep the commandments of God and walk hand in hand
with Him in His paths, we will go forward with faith and never feel
alone.
Trust in His promise of eternal life, and allow peace and hope to
distill upon you.
When we connect with the Author of Peace and with
His perfect
and redeeming love, then we can come to know the reality of the
Lord's promise: "I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand,
saying . . . , Fear not; I will help thee" (Isaiah
41:13).
I testify of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and living Savior.
I testify that He lives and extends His loving hand to each of us. In
the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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