He Heals the Heavy Laden

My thoughts on Elder Oaks' talk "He Heals the Heavy Laden"

As I get older and continue to pile up the GC talks in my head, I understand why my hubby replies, "same old, same old" when I ask how the Priesthood session was. There are talks that are the same every year. Given by someone new-sometimes, but still the message is given EVERY six months. As I have sped read the BoM this year (that was what I was told to do last GC) I am surprised at how quickly the Lord sends a prophet to the wayward members and says the "same old, same old." And I keep thinking, "why don't they get it? Can't they see?" I haven't done the math and I think we are missing a few GC reports or Ensigns, but I think the Lord needs to tell us over and over the "same old, same old" because WE AREN'T GETTING' IT!!!!!! And we just don't see it. (remember one of the things we sustain them as "seers")

Again we have a talk calling us to repentance and to come to him, "all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and [he] will give you rest." This talk was talking a lot about physical and health healings (at least to begin with) and with our previous discussion of "whole." I saw this in a new light. I have been blest to be "whole" but there was no time table on when I would be "whole." And then who is to say what "whole" is. Yes, that is frustrating, but it is the way this world works and this is where FAITH comes into play.

If you look at the Savior's earthly ministry he was forever forgiving and healing. How would his heavenly ministry be any different? I think of the wonderful things he has let be discovered for us to be "whole.' I often find myself praying for the scientist of the world so that they can find cures to awful (and sometime evil) things. I know without science I wouldn't be mother---at least one who gave birth to her own children. The Lord made me "whole" when I wasn't. And now that I think back on it, it was through a priesthood blessing that it happened. I found the right doctor and six children later... He is truly still healing and forgiving.

I also think it truly humbling that when he was here he was ONE man, but when he left, he left the Comforter. We may all avail ourselves of his "service." I think of how the multitudes had to go to him, or he to them. Now we don't have to travel far, except two feet down if need be, to get him. (I've often been praying while standing on my feet when it really isn't possible to kneel. Like holding a bleeding profusely child. Looking for a lost child-then I don't even close my eyes so that they can be directly immediately. He really couldn't make it more simply for us (great grammar there!). All we have to do is bend the knee and go to him and he is there to help in our time of need.

(from another post)

"..and I will give you rest.."
I have ALWAYS loved that phrase.

As a person who NEVER stops (in fact when I have a quiet moment I start to freak out) I have always wondered what that word "rest" means. I'm not sure I want to "rest." Sitting down and watching a movie just because causes great pain to my soul, but if I pick up a needle and thread and stitch (I'm a cross stitcher) I can sit and "rest." I might actually enjoy myself. I eat fast because there is something pressing (usually I'm the one who is pressing) to be done. I have my finger on the pulse of many things... But my soul and body do need "rest." Rest to stop and think, rest to ponder, rest to re energize, rest to recuperate. I am much heavy ladened (being the mom of six is enough to drive me under) and thankfully no awful grievous sin that needs repenting of so my burdens are not like those spoken of in the talk, but they are heavy to me. I do labor and boy is it a labor. I'm preaching to the choir since we are all homeschoolers, but that is a very BIG labor. But when we take it to HIM our labor and burden aren't so heavy. We can worry over an idea or course of study and it can be "heavy" and it amazes me when I take this to the Lord how often the "heavy" gets lightened.

So when we are loaded with a care of worries (grievous sins or not) we can have them lifted by He who lifts all.