Sister Reeves teaches about the most compassionate scripture: “Jesus wept”

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Sister Linda S. Reeves taught sisters at the General Relief Society Meeting on Sept. 29 to turn to the Savior during trials, instead of turning away in anger.

“Our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, know us and love us,” said Reeves, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency. “They know when we are in pain or suffering in any way. They do not say, ‘It’s OK that you’re in pain right now, because soon everything is going to be all right. You will be healed, or your husband will find a job, or your wandering child will come back.’ They feel the depth of our suffering and we can feel of Their love and compassion in our suffering.”

After sharing a personal story of her husband’s illness, Sister Reeves expressed her initial reaction to her struggle was to pull away from God. She stopped praying  and had lost all hope of his recovery and was angry with God. She finally came to the conclusion that she could not go through her trial on her own and needed the support and peace that she could only feel from her Heavenly Father.

“It was as if a blanket of love was flowing over me,” she said of praying for forgiveness for turning away. “It was as if I could feel Heavenly Father saying, ‘That was all I needed to know.’ I determined never to turn away from Him again. Gradually and amazingly my husband began to get better until he made a full recovery.”

Sister Reeves said it is because of the Atonement that the Savior and Heavenly Father know on a personal level what trials we face.

“He has not forgotten you,” she said. “Whatever sin or weakness or pain or struggle or trial you are going through, He knows and understands those very moments. He loves you. And He will carry you through those moments. … He has paid the price that He might know how to succor you. Cast your burdens upon Him. Tell your Heavenly Father how you feel. Tell Him about your pain and your afflictions, and then give them to Him.”

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