Changed Through His Grace

by | Aug 12, 2022 | Today's Post | 0 comments

From his book ‘Changed Through His Grace,’ Brad Wilcox shared:

In 1934 a small monument was built atop Ensign Peak. It is not very big or impressive by today’s standards, but it has great meaning for those who realize that the rocks of the monument were gathered from locations all across the Mormon trail. The stones came from New York, Ohio, Missouri, Illinois—places where the early Saints faced rejection, hardships, and bitter persecution. That monument was made from stones of suffering. Christ didn’t suffer so we wouldn’t have to. He suffered so our suffering would not be wasted. It can mean something. The monuments of our lives may never be big or impressive. They may never draw crowds, but they will stand forever as “monuments of wondrous grace” (Hymns, no. 164). The last time I hiked Ensign Peak it was in the spring. There were little wild flowers along the trail. I couldn’t help but think of the phrase in Lidie’s hymn: the flowers of grace appear. For those who choose to accept God’s grace, there will always be flowers surrounding the stones. There will always be sunshine after the storms.
What does the future hold for my student Tyler and his family? Much remains uncertain. Leanne returned to Australia. After everything she went through with Tyler, her body was exhausted. She applied for and was granted a leave from her work. She wrote me the following e-mail:
  • Brad, I already lost a baby girl early in my marriage. The prospect of burying another child has almost been my undoing, but I am at peace. My spirit is strong enough though physically I am worn out. Jesus has carried my boy through the darkest hours. My redeemer has sustained him in his weakest moments. My Savior has supported him through every second of pain. He has done the same for me. How can I fail to trust Him now? Sometimes He calms the storms. Sometimes he calms us in the midst of the storms. I’m good either way.

Much has happened to Tyler since he approached me and asked if he could take his final early. Recently, Tyler said, “Who knows what’s ahead? I am going to return to BYU and keep working toward graduation, but the tumor is not going away. The best the doctors can do is try to keep it from growing. I am in the Lord’s hands.” Tyler is choosing faith independent of outcome. He is choosing to hope, and when it fades, he hopes for more hope. He is choosing to welcome grace and find joy, come what may.

Tyler’s attitude reminds me of the words that were spoken of Alma and his missionary companions: “Yea, and [Christ] also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ” (Alma 31:38). We need not fear change. In His grace the Lord  has promised, “Wherefore fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full” (Doctrine and Covenants 101:36).  ~Brad Wilcox, Changed Through His Grace (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2017, 230-233, Dwarsligger© edition)

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