Withholding Blessings for Miracles Later

Flashes of Light 

By Steven J. Lund (BA ’80, JD ’83) in the Winter 2023 issue of the Y Magazine

I have learned that the Lord sometimes withholds blessings from us to eventually deliver undeniably discernible miracles. 

The Saints of Luputa - "We Don't have Problems... We Have Jesus Christ."

 

Faith in Christ amid the Fire of Affliction

By Elder Carl B. Cook

Of the Presidency of the Seventy

We Have the Gospel

When I served in the Africa Southeast Area, I was inspired by the history of a group of Saints in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They were faithful members, living where the Church was strong. Then, due to political unrest, in 1993 they were forced to move more than 625 miles (1,000 km) away. They arrived in Luputa, a remote area with no organized Church units. But that small group of families chose to live the gospel.

They studied the scriptures and worshipped in their homes. Each Sunday, they met as a group in a small house. They paid to use it by working in the owner’s field. Although they weren’t authorized to bless the sacrament, they faithfully donated tithes and offerings. They kept this money in a safe place for three years until two brethren journeyed 625 miles to give it to the proper priesthood leader.

Finally, after four long years, a branch was organized in Luputa. The Church grew fast. Soon a district was formed. Then, in 2011, a stake was organized. All this growth came through the work of members and branch missionaries. No full-time missionaries had been assigned to Luputa, yet more than 100 full-time missionaries had been called from Luputa to serve in other places.

In 2012, Sister Cook and I visited Luputa. We drove for two days in a four-wheel-drive vehicle to get there. As soon as we arrived, we joined the Saints for fast and testimony meeting. After the sacrament, it was time for testimonies. Many people rushed to the front of the chapel. The brother conducting the meeting asked some of the members to return to their seats and wait for next time.

About 40 Saints bore brief, heartfelt testimonies about Jesus Christ. They focused on the blessings of the gospel rather than their trials. We felt deep love for them.

After the meeting, I asked the stake president, “Is it always like this?”

“Yes,” he said. “Is that OK?” It was very OK.

“How did your stake grow and progress without missionaries?”

“We had branch missionaries, good ones, just like it says in the handbook.”

“How do you handle welfare concerns amid so much poverty?”

“Everyone here has family.” He referred to the principles in the handbook. “We should care for our own welfare and then ask family members to help. Only after doing this should we ask for help from the Church.”

“You meet in simple, crowded buildings. Are they good enough?”

“We are working on it.”

“What problems do you have?”

He sounded surprised. “We don’t have problems,” he said. “We have the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Swallowed Up in Joy

The Lord gave the Saints of Luputa strength “that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ” (Alma 31:38). I know He will do the same for us, because I have felt His joy over and over again in my life.

The Lord gave the Latter-day Saints in Luputa strength “that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ” (Alma 31:38).

Photograph courtesy of the author

Qualify for Blessings

Abound with Blessings

By Elder Dale G. Renlund

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Restored truth reveals that blessings are never earned, but faith-inspired actions on our part, both initial and ongoing, are essential....

most blessings that God desires to give us require action on our part—action based on our faith in Jesus Christ. ...

you do not earn a blessing—that notion is false—but you do have to qualify for it. 

Greater Blessings in Store

Answers to Prayer

By Elder Brook P. Hales

Of the Seventy

The Father is aware of us, knows our needs, and will help us perfectly. Sometimes that help is given in the very moment or at least soon after we ask for divine help. Sometimes our most earnest and worthy desires are not answered in the way we hope, but we find that God has greater blessings in store. And sometimes our righteous desires are not granted in this life.

The Golden Ticket

• MARCH 2012
• THE GOLDEN TICKET

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The Golden Ticket

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“One woman wanted more than anything else to marry a righteous priesthood holder in the temple and be a mother and a wife. She had dreamed about this all her life, and oh, what a wonderful mother and loving wife she would be. Her home would be filled with loving-kindness. Never a bitter word would be spoken. The food would never burn. And her children, instead of hanging out with their friends, would prefer to spend their evenings and weekends with Mom and Dad.

“This was her golden ticket. It was the one thing upon which she felt her whole existence depended. It was the one thing in all the world for which she most desperately yearned.

“But it never happened. And, as the years went on, she became more and more withdrawn, bitter, and even angry. She could not understand why God would not grant her this righteous desire.

“She worked as an elementary school teacher, and being around children all day long simply reminded her that her golden ticket had never appeared. As the years passed she became more disappointed and withdrawn. People didn’t like being around her and avoided her whenever they could. She even took her frustration out on the children at school. …

“The tragedy of this story is that this dear woman, in all her disappointment about her golden ticket, failed to notice the blessings she did have. She did not have children in her home, but she was surrounded by them in her classroom. She was not blessed with a family, but the Lord had given her an opportunity few people have—the chance to influence for good the lives of hundreds of children and families as a teacher.

“The lesson here is that if we spend our days waiting for fabulous roses, we could miss the beauty and wonder of the tiny forget-me-nots that are all around us.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “Forget Me Not,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2011, 121–22.

Blessings Accompany Challenges

It is important to understand that blessings often accompany our challenges. For example, those who suffer pain and afflictions are often better able to understand and have compassion and sympathy for others who similarly suffer.

Bishop Dean M. Davies, “Heavenly Help for our Mortal Journey,” Ensign, Jul 2014, 50.

Avoid Comparisons

“When you begin to compare yourself, one with another, it either leads to discouragement or it leads to pride. … Blessings come in the near-term. Blessings come in the long-term. Sometimes blessings are in store for us, I believe, after we pass through the veil. … Ultimately, we can be assured that the promise of eternal life is for everyone.”

—Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Nothing we have is our own

Nothing we have is our own—it is all God’s. As such, there should be no feeling of pride or ownership for the things He blesses us with....

We first meet the needs and appropriate wants of our families and then consecrate the rest to bless God’s other children....

Many couples set the goal to own their own home. It is appropriate to borrow for a modest home, but be cautious. A mortgage will likely be your largest financial obligation and will impact your budget and finances until the day it is paid off. Shorter-term mortgages (say, 15 or 20 years as opposed to 30 years) require much less debt to be paid over time.

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An Eternal Perspective on Personal and Family Finance

By Bryan Sudweeks, PhD, Chartered Financial Analyst, and E. Jeffrey Hill, PhD, Brigham Young University

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Choose to Feel More Gratitude

With our Father’s help, all of us can choose to feel more gratitude. We can ask Him to help us see our blessings more clearly, whatever our circumstances. 

President Henry B. Eyring

• PG 4DECEMBER 2011
• THE CHOICE TO BE GRATEFUL

Direct Me to Someone I Can Help

What has helped me the most is to ask God in prayer, “Wouldst Thou please direct me to someone I can help for Thee?” It is in helping God bless others that I have seen my own blessings more closely.

President Henry B. Eyring

• PG 4DECEMBER 2011
• THE CHOICE TO BE GRATEFUL

Temples Are an Expression of God's Love

If we are to receive all the blessings God so generously offers, our earthly path must lead to the temple. Temples are an expression of God’s love.” —Sister Jean A. Stevens, “Covenant Daughters of God,” 117.

Compensatory Blessings

Find the compensatory blessings in your life when, in the wisdom of the Lord, He deprives you of something you very much want. . . .
You will discover compensatory blessings when you willingly accept the will of the Lord and exercise faith in Him.

Richard G. Scott, "Finding Joy in Life," Ensign, May 1996, 25 

Mother of Thousands of Millions

"In Genesis 24:60, Rebekah is blessed to be "the mother of thousands of millions." Where do we find those kinds of blessings? They are received in the temple."

Julie B. Beck, "Teaching the Doctrine of the Family," Ensign, Mar 2011, 16.

Be Careful in your Professional Lives

“Be very careful in your professional lives. Do not put false gods before the Lord. Be wise. Do not let yourselves be carried away by the current of the world. Seek the Lord’s inspiration and guidance to make wise decisions. Let the material things you earn be a blessing and not a curse in your lives and those of your families.”

Elder Claudio D. Zivic, “The Blessings of Perseverance,” Ensign, April 2014, 61.

No Blessing Will Be Denied

“The Lord has promised that in the eternities no blessing will be denied his sons and daughters who keep the commandments, are true to their covenants, and desire what is right.

“Many of the most important deprivations of mortality will be set right in the Millennium, which is the time for fulfilling all that is incomplete in the great plan of happiness for all of our Father’s worthy children. We know that will be true of temple ordinances. I believe it will also be true of family relationships and experiences.”

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “The Great Plan of Happiness,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 75. 

Where Can I Find Hope?

“Every one of us has times when we need to know things will get better. . . . My declaration is that this is precisely what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers us, especially in times of need. There is help. There is happiness. . . . Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. . . . It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come. . . . Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come.”

Jeffery R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve, “An High Priest of Good Things to Come,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 36, 38. 

When the Lord Balances His Books

“There were two farmers once who had adjoining fields. The one never worked in his field on Sunday, and his neighbor used to chide him about it. He said, ‘Your crops aren’t doing as well as mine are. Why don’t you work on Sunday?’

“The other farmer said, ‘Well, I want to do what the Lord said. I want to gain the blessings of the Lord.’

“Then one October day they stood at a fence line. The [neighbor] said, ‘Just look at it, Look at my field. It is beautiful, the grain is tall, the heads are full of wheat, and your field shows little signs of neglect. You haven’t tended yours as well as I’ve tended mine. Look at my harvest compared to yours. What do you say now about the blessings you thought you were earning?’

“The [Sabbath-keeping] farmer thought for a few minutes and said, ‘The Lord doesn’t balance his books in October.’ “

President Boyd K. Packer, Mine Errand from the Lord (2008) 193.

Obedience

“Obedience allows God’s blessings to flow without constraint. He will bless His obedient children with freedom from bondage and misery.”

Russell M. Nelson, “Face the Future with Faith,” Ensign, May 2011, 34-35. 

Healing From Him Who Loves Us Best

"Healing blessings come in many ways, each suited to our individual needs, as known to Him who loves us best. Sometimes a 'healing' cures our illness or lifts our burden. But sometimes we are 'healed' by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us."

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "He Heals the Heavy Laden," Ensign, November 2006, 7-8