Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“When
you face adversity, you can be led to ask many questions. Some serve a
useful purpose; others do not. To ask, Why does this have to happen to
me? Why do I have to suffer this, now? What have I done to cause this?
will lead you into blind alleys. It really does no good to ask questions
that reflect opposition to the will of God. Rather ask, What am I to
do? What am I to learn from this experience? What am I to change? Whom
am I to help? How can I remember my many blessings in times of trial? …
“This
life is an experience in profound trust—trust in Jesus Christ, trust in
His teachings, trust in our capacity as led by the Holy Spirit to obey
those teachings. … To trust means to obey willingly without knowing the
end from the beginning (see Prov. 3:5–7).
To produce fruit, your trust in the Lord must be more powerful and
enduring than your confidence in your own personal feelings and
experience” (“Trust in the Lord,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 17).
When
President Thomas S. Monson was a youth, his 15-year-old friend and
neighbor named Arthur Patton enlisted in the United States Navy to serve
in World War II. President Monson recalled:
“Arthur’s
mother was so proud of the blue star which graced her living room
window. It represented to every passerby that her son wore the uniform
of his country and was actively serving. When I would pass the house,
she often opened the door and invited me in to read the latest letter
from Arthur. Her eyes would fill with tears; I would then be asked to
read aloud. Arthur meant everything to his widowed mother. …
“… While
at Saipan in the South Pacific, the ship [Arthur served on] was
attacked. Arthur was one of those on board who was lost at sea.
“The
blue star was taken from its hallowed spot in the front window of the
Patton home. It was replaced by one of gold, indicating that he whom the
blue star represented had been killed in battle. A light went out in
the life of Mrs. Patton. She groped in utter darkness and deep despair.
“With
a prayer in my heart, I approached the familiar walkway to the Patton
home, wondering what words of comfort could come from the lips of a mere
boy”
“Mrs.
Patton gazed into my eyes and spoke: ‘Tommy, I belong to no church, but
you do. Tell me, will Arthur live again?’ To the best of my ability, I
testified to her that Arthur would indeed live again”
Twenty-five
years later, after President Monson had lost contact with Mrs. Patton,
he gave a talk during a general conference of the Church entitled “Mrs.
Patton, Arthur Lives!” (see Conference Report, Apr. 1969, 126–29).
President Monson recalled:
“I
expressed to Mrs. Patton my personal testimony as a special witness,
telling her that God our Father was mindful of her—that through sincere
prayer she could communicate with Him; that He too had a Son who died,
even Jesus Christ the Lord; that He is our advocate with the Father, the
Prince of Peace, our Savior and divine Redeemer, and one day we would
see Him face-to-face.
“I hoped that my message to Mrs. Patton would reach and touch others who had lost a loved one.
“… I
had little or no hope that Mrs. Patton would actually hear the talk. I
had no reason to think she would listen to general conference. As I have
mentioned, she was not a member of the Church. And then I learned that
something akin to a miracle had taken place. Having no idea whatsoever
who would be speaking at conference or what subjects they might speak
about, Latter-day Saint neighbors of Mrs. Terese Patton in California,
where she had moved, invited her to their home to listen to a session of
conference with them. She accepted their invitation and thus was
listening to the very session where I directed my remarks to her
personally.
“… To my astonishment and joy, I received a letter … from Mrs. Terese Patton. I share with you a part of that letter:
“‘Dear Tommy,
“‘… I
don’t know how to thank you for your comforting words, both when Arthur
died and again in your talk. I have had many questions over the years,
and you have answered them. I am now at peace concerning Arthur. … God
bless and keep you always’” (“Mrs. Patton—the Story Continues,” 23–24).
