Latter-day Saint Voices

"You Will Be Triumphant"

"Latter-day Saint Voices," Liahona, Feb. 2002, 30
Referring to the story of David and Goliath, President Gordon B. Hinckley warns that each of us will face Goliaths in life. These giants may come in the form of the world's growing evils, or they may be purely personal challenges and difficulties. Like David, however, we are not alone in facing the trials of mortality. God is merciful, and if we have faith in Him, as David did, He will shower us with His blessings.

Whatever we are trying to conquer, we can—as the following stories illustrate—ask for the Lord's help. "You are a child of God," President Hinckley writes. "You have His power within you to sustain you. You have the right to call upon God to protect you. ... Stand your ground and hold your place, and you will be triumphant. As the years pass, you will look back with satisfaction upon the battles you have won in your individual lives" (see this issue, page 5).

Gospel topics: faith, prayer

With or without Piranhas

By Ramiro Ruiz Ceja

Ramiro Ruiz Ceja, "With or without Piranhas," Liahona, Feb. 2002, 30
While serving in the Bolivia Cochabamba Mission, my companion and I were assigned to labor in Villamontes (now part of the Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission). This remote village lies in the southeastern corner of Bolivia. The closest town is 90 kilometers away. Because Villamontes did not have a baptismal font, we performed baptisms in the nearby Pilcomayo River.

Our labors were meeting with some success, and we were having quite a few baptisms in the river. It seemed a good location until we began to hear rumors about piranhas. Standing waist-deep in water infested with carnivorous fish did not sound like something we wanted to do, but we didn't have another place to perform these important ordinances. We ignored the rumors until a Church member actually caught one of the fish and showed it to us. The piranha's sharp teeth alarmed us. Still, the Lord's work must go forward, and we trusted in Him to protect us.

We needed His protection at our next baptism because seasonal rains had caused the river to rise to treacherous levels, clogging it with logs, sticks, and other debris. We were convinced we had to find another place to baptize.

After days of looking, we finally decided to perform a baptism in a member's cistern—a small water tank. The cistern was so small we wondered if two people would fit into it. But both the convert and the priesthood holder climbed in, and the convert was baptized by immersion.

We had another baptism the following week, and the cistern was no longer available. So we performed the baptism in a small cement tub. Again both the convert and the priesthood holder stepped into the tiny makeshift font. The boy being baptized had to kneel down to be immersed.

After that baptism, we started thinking about where we could have future baptisms. The problem was urgent because three more people were scheduled for baptism the following Sunday. Fortunately, a district conference was going to be held in Yacuiba, and the meetinghouse there had a baptismal font. We traveled there for the baptismal service.

At the service, our mission president told us that because of the growth of the Church in Villamontes, that small village would receive a baptismal font. We were overjoyed.

Our experiences in Villamontes taught us that when we work hard, the Lord always provides a way for us to accomplish what He has asked. The Lord's work will always move forward, with or without piranhas.

Gospel topics: courage, missionary work, work

Something I Had to Do

By Thaiz Martins Leal

Thaiz Martins Leal, "Something I Had to Do," Liahona, Feb. 2002, 32
On an evening in November 1999, when our family home evening was finished and we were going to bed, my mother said, "Don't forget that next Sunday is fast Sunday, OK?"

I asked her if we were going to fast as a family for a specific purpose.

"I don't know yet," she replied.

Suddenly, I felt impressed to fast and pray to prepare to receive my patriarchal blessing.

At 10:00 P.M. I had not been able to go to sleep, so I went to my parents' room. I felt there was something I had to do that night. My mother told me to read for a while and she would turn out my light later. I went back to my room, picked up a school textbook, and started to read. I found some information I needed for a school assignment that was due the next day, information I had not found in my other books.

When I finished the assignment, it was about 11:00 P.M. I placed the book and the assignment on the desk and went to bed. But even though my body and mind were tired, my spirit was uneasy. I lifted my head a little and noticed that the very wrinkled first page of a First Presidency Message was sticking out from a pile of books. I retrieved the November 1995 A Liahona (Portuguese) and started reading "Serving the Lord and Resisting the Devil" by President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency. The last section of the message was entitled "Fasting and Prayer."

After finishing the article, I promised myself I would pray and fast about my patriarchal blessing. Then I placed the magazine on the desk and again tried to sleep—but to no avail. So I picked up A Liahona again and turned the page. "My Miracle" was the title of the very next article. I was touched when I realized this article was a young woman's experience of receiving her patriarchal blessing. She said it is necessary to pray and fast in order to prepare ourselves spiritually for a patriarchal blessing.

I had spoken to my bishop before about receiving my blessing, and he felt I should wait. After I read the young woman's message, I understood the reason for his reply. I had not fasted or even prayed about this matter. After finishing the article, I knelt and prayed fervently to my Heavenly Father. For the first time in my life, I felt the presence of the Holy Ghost. After this prayer, I put the magazine away and was able to sleep.

I prayed and waited anxiously all week. On Sunday I fasted, and I went to see the bishop. After hearing about my experience, he said, "I think you're ready for your patriarchal blessing." It made me very happy to know that the Lord wanted me to learn about fasting and prayer—and to prepare spiritually for my blessing.

I know the Lord loves us. He gives us patriarchal blessings to guide us.

Gospel topics: fasting, patriarchal blessings

He Helped Us Start Over Again

By Gemma Omandac Taying

Gemma Omandac Taying, "He Helped Us Start Over Again," Liahona, Feb. 2002, 33
My family and I were baptized in General Santos, Philippines, on 5 February 1995. At that time I was a freshman in high school, and I had a good life. My parents provided me with many nice things, and I was studying in a private school. My father worked at a pineapple plantation, and my mother managed our chain-saw business.

There were seven in our family. Even though we lived far from the meetinghouse, we were always there for Sunday services and other activities.

One day my father took a day off work to help my mother with her job; she had to go to school with my brother and sister and me to pay our tuition. On that day somebody hired our chain-saw operator to cut down some coconut trees. My father had to supervise the job.

While we were at school, one of the coconut trees that was being cut fell on a very expensive jeep. My mother went quickly to the place where it had happened. The owner of the jeep was very angry and demanded complete payment for the ruined jeep. My mother felt as though the whole world had fallen on her. We didn't have that much money. My father requested an early retirement, but his retirement benefits were not enough to cover the damages. The chain-saw operator was arrested. Our chain saws were taken away—as were our house, land, and belongings. In a moment, everything we owned was gone. My father decided to go away, leaving our family to face the consequences alone.

It was a very hard time for all of us, but we didn't lose our faith and hope. The day my mother had to go to court, we fasted and prayed. Fasting and prayer brought her comfort.

We had nothing left, not even a roof over our heads, but the Lord helped us. Indeed, He helped us through our bishop, who took us to his home to live with his family. Later another member offered his property for us to stay on until we could recover.

When the new school year was about to begin, I prayed that my brother, sister, and I could study again. Through prayer, faith, and hope, we were able to go back to the school where we had enrolled before, even though we did not have any money. I felt the love of our Heavenly Father then more than at any other time in my life.

In a difficult situation, Heavenly Father will help us if we stay faithful, prayerful, and obedient. He helped my family start all over again and kept us going. I know that if we continue to obey the commandments, we will continue to be blessed.

Gospel topic: adversity

"When I Am Weak, Then Am I Strong"

By Garry Prudencio Fabros

Garry Prudencio Fabros, "When I Am Weak, Then Am I Strong," Liahona, Feb. 2002, 34
My physical disability has made my life difficult and sometimes discouraging. My early teen years were especially trying because I encountered some unpleasant prejudices. In May 1989, when I was 13 years old, a high school in our town rejected my application simply because of my physical handicap, which confines me to a wheelchair. Then, in my first year of secondary school, one of my teachers gave me a disappointing grade. I felt it was because of my physical disability.

At the time I didn't know how to accept these kinds of unpleasant events in my life, nor did I know how to thank Heavenly Father for the lessons they teach me. But through prayer and scripture study, I have discovered that I can be grateful even with these afflictions and, at the same time, be good to those people who reject and discourage me.

As I read the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:710, I found that he compared his own adversity to "the messenger of Satan to buffet" him. He prayed that the Lord would remove his affliction, but instead he was told, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

Over the years, I have felt my Savior's encouragement; it has made me realize His great sufficiency over my physical weakness.

On 27 March 1993 I graduated from high school with an honorable mention. Our mayor offered me a job at the city hall. While working, I was able to finish my career course in journalism.

Dealing with my physical disability and afflictions will never be easy. But I know that through my faith and determination and the Lord's inspiration I may be able to say, like the Apostle Paul, "When I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Cor. 12:10).

Gospel topic: disabilities

I Asked God to Touch My Mother's Heart

By Adilson José Horta

Adilson José Horta, "I Asked God to Touch My Mother's Heart," Liahona, Feb. 2002, 34
One day in October 1992 as I was coming home from my school in Cape Verde, I noticed two young men dressed in white shirts and ties. I decided to speak to them. As we talked, I could feel great love emanating from them. They told me their names and the name of their church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Then they invited me to become acquainted with their families by showing me photographs. They also expressed an interest in coming to my house and meeting my family.

When they came to my house, my mother was courteous, but she was not interested in their message. Still, I liked the discussions immensely; each one seemed better than the last. The testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the news of the restored gospel were the most marvelous messages I had ever heard. They truly changed my heart. Eventually, the missionaries mentioned baptism. My mother was not pleased with my desire to join the Church and would not permit me to be baptized.

I continued to investigate the Church and to attend every Church meeting and activity. But I was also obedient to my mother. Many times the elders explained to her the importance of my being baptized, but she would not change her mind.

One day in sacrament meeting, a sister missionary spoke on the subject of prayer. Her words touched my heart deeply, and later at home I meditated on what she had said. Prompted by the Holy Ghost, I decided to pray. I went up on the porch of our house and prayed out loud, opening my heart to my Father in Heaven. I fervently told Him of my desire to join His Church and asked Him to touch my mother's heart so she would let me be baptized.

It was a prayer I will never forget. Then I went into the house and opened the subject of baptism with my mother. Without a single objection, she responded, "If this is your desire, you may be baptized." My heart was filled with happiness and praise to God. I knew without a doubt He had heard and answered my prayer.

I was baptized on 13 February 1993 on the island of São Tiago, Cape Verde. A little over a year later, after many more fervent prayers, I baptized two members of my family, my Aunt Edna and my Aunt Ana. In June 1994 I received one of the greatest blessings of my life when I baptized my mother.

Our Father in Heaven is loving and kind. And He always answers our prayers in the way He knows is best for us.

Gospel topics: conversion, family

[illustration] Illustration by Sam Lawlor

[illustrations] Other illustrations by Brian Call