After Much Loss Comes Faith and Healing

The last little while my mind has returned to a General Conference talk from May 2004 called 'But If Not..." by Dennis E. Simmons. In the talk, he says,


'Centuries ago, Daniel and his young associates were suddenly thrust from security into the world—a world foreign and intimidating. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego refused to bow down and worship a golden image set up by the king, a furious Nebuchadnezzar told them that if they would not worship as commanded, they would immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. “And who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” 2

The three young men quickly and confidently responded, “If it be so [if you cast us into the furnace], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand.”

... But then they demonstrated that they fully understood what faith is. They continued, “But if not, … we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” 3 That is a statement of true faith.

They knew that they could trust God—even if things didn’t turn out the way they hoped. 4 They knew that faith is more than mental assent, more than an acknowledgment that God lives. Faith is total trust in Him.'




The thoughts on my mind echo this talk. No matter what the world does to me, I will put my faith and trust in Christ.

Simmons goes on to say,

'Our God will deliver us from ridicule and persecution, but if not. … Our God will deliver us from sickness and disease, but if not … . He will deliver us from loneliness, depression, or fear, but if not. … Our God will deliver us from threats, accusations, and insecurity, but if not. … He will deliver us from death or impairment of loved ones, but if not, … we will trust in the Lord.


'Our God will see that we receive justice and fairness, but if not. … He will make sure that we are loved and recognized, but if not. … We will receive a perfect companion and righteous and obedient children, but if not, … we will have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that if we do all we can do, we will, in His time and in His way, be delivered and receive all that He has.'

To whom else can I go? To whom else can I worship? Or follow? For Christ has the words of eternal life!

Being a follower of Christ means having high standards. It means I follow a path of overcoming temptations of all kinds. The path is straight and it is narrow. The path is full of repentance and correction. It is full of love and grace. As to my own strength, I am nothing, but in Jesus Christ I can do all things.

The light of Christ shows all things as they really were, really are, and really will be.

The Light of Christ and the gift of the Holy Ghost are the light that light my footsteps. They truly are a lamp unto my feet.