We have a grandson that was born with a birth defect. The lower part of his left arm and hand did not properly develop in utero. He refers to his short arm and undeveloped hand as his “nub.” (As you can imagine,
Finding Nemo is one of his favorite movies.)
Although it hasn’t slowed him down very much and he certainly doesn’t consider himself handicapped, he does notice that he is different than others. He is getting to the age now where he is conscious of the stares and unkind comments about his “nub.” He recently told his mother that he wanted two hands like all of his friends. His “thorn in the flesh” was starting to become emotionally painful to bear—both for him and for all of us who love him so much and want the best for him. We hurt when he hurts. We feel badly when he feels badly.
In decorating her home for Christmas, our daughter put out the olive wood nativity set she received from us as a Christmas gift when we lived in Israel many years ago. It had taken a few “hits” through the years and through the many moves it had been through . There were a few chips and dents and a piece broken off here and there. One day, three year old Gavin excitedly exclaimed, “Mommy look! Jesus has a nub just like me!” Part of one of the carved wooden arms of the “baby Jesus” in the nativity set had been broken off. Who knows when the damage had occurred? It was so small that none of us had even noticed before. Yet, Gavin noticed. He was thrilled that Jesus had a “nub” too. Our daughter, Tiffany, explained to him that Jesus doesn’t really have a “nub,” but that He understands exactly what it is like for Gavin to have one. In that tender teaching moment, she once again taught him about the resurrection and how Jesus’ atonement ensures that someday Gavin will have a hand like everyone else. That satisfied him. “That’s okay, Mommy,” Gavin said, “I like my nub. I’ll keep it forever.”
What had been seen as a handicap—a burden, an embarrassment—was now seen in a much different perspective. Gavin was able to deal with his challenge better because he understood, even as a three year old, that Jesus understands what it is like to have a “nub,” that He will help Gavin throughout life, and someday give him a glorified body with an arm and hand that were missing in mortality. Just as Gavin rejoiced in Jesus having a “nub” like him, we all long to know that Jesus understands us, relates to us personally, and can succor us in our unique challenges and “thorns in the flesh.” We all want to have Jesus a little more like us, so we can trust that he really knows our pains and understands our weaknesses.
Thankfully prophets and apostles have testified that we indeed have a Savior who not only understands the burdens we carry, but carried them himself long before we bore them. He can strengthen us in our suffering, because He suffered all that we have to endure and more before we did.
In fact, Jesus knows what it is like to be every one of us. He knows us personally. He knows what we struggle with and what pains afflict us, because He experienced it all when he descended below all things (see D&C 122:8). That painful descent was part of what Elder Neal A. Maxwell called the “awful arithmetic of the atonement” (see Ensign, May 1985, 70-73).
Alma declared: And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and sicknesses of his people.
And he will take upon him . . . their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know how to succor his people according to their infirmities. (Alma 7:11-12.)
Succor is not a word that we use much in our normal, everyday conversations. Yet, it is a powerful word that conjures important images of help and aid. The word comes from the Latin succurrere which means literally “to run to help.” It implies “urgent assistance.” Have you ever succored someone—literally run to their assistance? Probably every parent has had the experience of hearing that “blood-curdling” cry of an injured child. We bolt into action immediately—a nanosecond probably doesn’t even pass before we are “off to the rescue.” There is nothing that prevents us from “running to” that beloved child.
Do you see the beauty of that imagery as you read Alma’s words again? Do you see the Savior bearing your burdens as well as mine, suffering your personal pains and mine, feeling our individual feelings of discouragement, inadequacy, and fear? What an incredible thought—because Jesus is filled with infinite compassion and mercy, because He intimately knows me and you, because He has been literally “touched with the feeling of our infirmities” (Hebrews 4:15)—He “runs to” our assistance! What comfort! What hope! What strength! I have felt His succoring aid.
by Brent L. Top
September 29, 2009
I have always loved general conference and have appreciated the blessing it is to hear the testimonies and teachings of the Lord’s anointed servants. My parents told me that when I was a toddler I would watch intently the broadcast of general conference on our old black and white television. When President David O. McKay would appear on the screen they said that I would kiss the television and say, “I love him.” Though I may not kiss the television screen anymore, I still love the prophets and apostles and cherish listening to their counsel. General conference is to me like a lush oasis is to a desert traveler—a refreshing respite amidst a difficult journey, a time of renewal of strength, a renewal of direction and determination.
“Conference time is a season of spiritual revival,” taught President Howard W. Hunter, “when knowledge and testimony are increased and solidified that God lives and blesses those who are faithful. . . . a time when souls are stirred and resolutions are made to be better husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, more obedient sons and daughters, better friends and neighbors.” (Conference Report, October 1981)
It seems that general conference always seems to come right when my spiritual and emotional “batteries” are running the lowest. Have you felt that way too? Do you also find that your spiritual “batteries” are recharged by the messages delivered and the spirit that attends the sessions? I do. That is why I love general conference so much. There have been many, many times when I felt that the speaker was talking only to me—giving personal counsel and comfort that I desperately needed at that moment. Perhaps you have had that experience as well. Sometimes it is as if the Savior himself is teaching a class of one—me. In fact, He is—“whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.”
This was particularly true when I was serving as a mission president. The spiritual oasis afforded by conference at that difficult and demanding time of my life was probably more appreciated and the messages more applied than at any other time. Feeling so overwhelmed by the heavy responsibilities of the calling and the pressure that I put on myself with my perfectionist tendencies and unrealistic expectations, I feared that I would be “sent over the edge” by talks that would “highlight” my spiritual inadequacy, remind me of my sins, call me to repentance, and then emphatically add to my growing list of “oughta dos.” While I was certainly reminded of things that need more of my spiritual focus, the spirit of general conference was one of building up not beating down. Listening to the Lord’s servants, like learning at the feet of the Savior, is an experience in love, lifting, hope and healing. More than at any other time in my life, the messages of general conference inspired and instructed me. I am quite sure that it was not because the talks were just better during those three years. I am convinced that because of my personal needs—the challenges I faced, the problems I encountered, and the responsibilities on my shoulders—general conference became a veritable “fountain of living waters” to which I could go for refreshment again and again and again.
Each of us has those moments –whatever your circumstances and challenges—when our spiritual and emotional batteries are run down and we feel that we are “running on empty.” Our spirits and psyche take daily battering with all the demands of raising our families, serving in the Church, and trying to be a better disciple of Christ, not to mention that constant tug of the “natural man” and the “fiery darts of the adversary.” Sometimes we feel like we are not even “keeping our heads above water.” It is easy to feel run down—like a sponge that has been wrung dry. (When our children were young, my wife, Wendy called that being “mommied to death.”) In order to do and be all that is expected of us, we have to fill that sponge up again and again. General conference is a significant way whereby we can do that.
I like to teach my students that there are things we can do before, during, and after general conference. Before, we can pray not only for those who will speak to us, but also for ourselves—that our hearts and minds will be softened and prepared for what we are going to hear. During, we can listen intently—not just to the speakers, but also to the Spirit—taking notes not just on what is said, but more important, what the Spirit teaches and prods us to do. After, let the messages of conference “stand next to your standard works and be referred to frequently” (The Teachings Ezra Taft Benson, 333) and be “the guide to [your] walk and talk during the next six months” (The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, 469) General conference has been and continues to be a blessing in my life. May this conference bless your lives as well. May your well of spiritual strength be filled to overflowing this weekend by the living waters provided by prophets and apostles. I can’t wait!
