​Another of the Lord’s tender mercies was manifest when one of the young women in our ward faced a medical challenge that put her in the intensive care unit of Primary Children’s Medical Center. She had an outpouring of love from her young women's leaders, ward members, friends, and many others. The bishop and brethren administered to her while she was at the hospital. Many prayed in her behalf for her welfare and for a sustaining influence for her family in the midst of this hardship. Meals were organized by the Relief Society and provided for the family during this time. Through this challenging experience, the sweet tender mercies of the Lord that He makes available to His followers have been very evident in our ward. It is edifying to know of God's kindness and concern for all His children throughout our ward and across the world by sharing messages of hope and encouragement through His disciples in behalf of those burdened with cares. In welfare meeting, a discussion ensued regarding the needs of the ward members, and the bishop brought up the subject of this young woman. One of the brethren suggested "Wouldn't it be appropriate for us to have a ward fast in her behalf?" and a date was set for the following week of stake conference. Another suggested we might gather at the chapel after stake conference to break the fast together as a ward, and the announcement was made in church that week. The Lord has been mindful of all his children as this young woman’s brother was serving a mission during this time and troubled with her situation at home and his inability to provide support. Elder Uchtdorf was visiting the mission and spoke in a Zone Conference to the missionaries. The following excerpt comes from this elder’s letter “At the very end, he had born his testimony and was just about to close when he said something, and I will never forget how comforting it was. He paused and then gave us a promise, a promise which I had been praying for all week. He said, ¨I bless you that the things that are burdening you now, here or AT HOME, will be lead by God´s hand to a satisfactory end.¨ I burst into tears immediately. I know Heavenly Father is aware of our struggle as a family, and I know he will protect us.” This young woman was able to return home from the hospital the very next week. And as planned after stake conference, the ward met at the church building to join together as a ward to break the special fast. Church members filled the chapel and overflowed into the choir seats. The love and support of friends, the ward family, and the Savior brought emotions very near the surface. Soon the bishop arose and welcomed all who came. We sang a hymn and the bishop offered a prayer and supplicated the healing powers of the Lord in behalf of this young lady. Many wept for joy and appreciation of the sweet tender mercies of the Lord as the Spirit was present, along with the great show of love and support. At the conclusion of the prayer, postlude music was played and many members came forward to express their faith in the Lord's healing power and offer their personal love and support. Many tears were shed and a little girl’s life has been spared.
"…As ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light.
"Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life." Mosiah 18:8-9
The blessings of the Lord have been evident in the lives of our ward members this year.