I was invited to speak in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. I was asked to talk about tender mercies. I have such a difficult time talking about things close to my heart because I can’t do so without tears. The Lord blessed me with a tender mercy and I was able to speak without too many tears.
Here is my talk:
When we were sent into Lock down because of COVID, I was able to partake of the Sacrament each week in a “bubble” consisting of a senior couple from the area office and Sister Lucas who live in my same complex. Each Sunday after we were blessed to renew our covenants through partaking of the Sacrament, we spent an hour or more discussing the Come Follow Me lessons, sharing thoughts and bearing testimony. That became a spiritual feast each Sunday that I looked forward to. Our Bubble members will always hold a special place in my heart.
Some may say that it was a convenience that we were all in the same place at the same time with the same motivations. To me, that was a tender mercy to be able to have and feel that spirit each week.
My father passed 22 years ago. When planning his funeral, my mother, sister and brother thought that since I was the eldest child, I should be the speaker at the funeral representing the family. They ask that I speak and relate experiences of my father’s life and share my testimony. Because I cry easily, I couldn’t imagine how I would be able speak in front of the congregation to honor my father without tears.
Before traveling to the location of the funeral, two of my sons gave me a blessing. I was able to give that talk without the expected tears. To me, that was a miracle and a tender mercy given to me by my Savior.
Today, I have been asked to share with you some thoughts about tender mercies. I have gathered most of my thoughts from a conference address given in April 2005 by Elder David A Bednar titled: The Tender Mercies of the Lord.
Because Elder Bednar explains tender mercies in such a clear and understandable way, I hope that you won’t mind if I read a lot from this conference address.
First, I think we must understand what are tender mercies?
Elder Bednar says: “The Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Recall how the Savior instructed His Apostles that He would not leave them comfortless. Not only would He send “another Comforter,” even the Holy Ghost, but the Savior said that He would come to them. Let me suggest that one of the ways whereby the Savior comes to each of us is through His abundant and tender mercies. For instance, as you and I face challenges and tests in our lives, the gift of faith and an appropriate sense of personal confidence that reaches beyond our own capacity are two examples of the tender mercies of the Lord. Repentance and forgiveness of sins and peace of conscience are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord. And the persistence and the fortitude that enable us to press forward with cheerfulness through physical limitations and spiritual difficulties are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord.”
Please for a few seconds, think about a time that you have received a tender mercy from our Savior.
When I went to serve my first mission in NYC, I took my car. My brother drove cross country with me and then flew home. Everyone thought I was crazy and that I would be too scared to drive in that place. I was scared but one day I had to go to a location that I couldn’t take the subway or walk. I just decided that I would do it. The Lord gave me the courage and “personal confidence” that I needed. That was a tender mercy.
I have shared this experience with you before but because it has meant so much to me, I want to share it again. The day my husband passed, I had stepped from the room for no more than 3 minutes. When I returned, I sat on the edge of the bed, took his hand, and realized that he had left me while I was out of the room. As I sat there, I just couldn’t imagine my life without him. What would I now do? How would I carry on? I prayed and asked for help from the Lord. As I sat there pondering, holding my husband’s hand, I a felt warm, comforting spirit surround me. I felt at peace. I knew that my husband was in a better, pain free place and that he would be waiting for me. I was given courage to move forward. I have never felt such love as I felt at that moment. What a tender mercy given to me by a loving Savior in a time that I most needed it.
Again from Elder Bednar: “Some individuals who hear or read this message erroneously may discount or dismiss in their personal lives the availability of the tender mercies of the Lord, believing that “I certainly am not one who has been or ever will be chosen.” We may falsely think that such blessings and gifts are reserved for other people who appear to be more righteous or who serve in visible Church callings. I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are available to all of us and that the Redeemer of Israel is eager to bestow such gifts upon us.
To be or to become chosen is not an exclusive status conferred upon us. Rather, you and I ultimately determine if we are chosen.
God does not have a list of favorites to which we must hope our names will someday be added. He does not limit “the chosen” to a restricted few. Rather, it is our hearts and our aspirations and our obedience which definitively determine whether we are counted as one of God’s chosen.
As I indicated earlier, the Lord’s tender mercies do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Faithfulness, obedience, and humility invite tender mercies into our lives, and it is often the Lord’s timing that enables us to recognize and treasure these important blessings.”
When I first began to think about the message I wanted to share with you today, I didn’t really think about the tender mercies that are a part of my daily life. But I testify to you that as I look and stay aware, I see and feel the hand of the Lord in my daily activities. Recognizing that fact is a tender mercy in and of itself.
Elder Bednar ends his conference address with these words which I will read from his talk but which are coming also from my heart.
“I know that He lives and that His tender mercies are available to all of us. Each of us can have eyes to see clearly and ears to hear distinctly the tender mercies of the Lord as they strengthen and assist us in these latter days. May our hearts always be filled with gratitude for His abundant and tender mercies.”
I am filled with gratitude for my Savior. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
I would invite you to read Elder Bednar’s talk. It will be worth your time:
A week ago I received word that one of the missionaries that I had grown to love (I love every missionary I have served with) in my time in New York New York South Mission, Sister Kassidy Krause now Kassidy Staheli, had passed away due to complications with pregnancy. In looking through my pictures and memories to share with her family and friends at her memorial, I had the opportunity for a walk down memory lane.
I was blessed to serve with Kassidy in New York City. My apartment was next-door to the chapel where our Mission Office was located so I frequently got to see her when she would come to the Mission Office. She was such a delight. She brought joy and laughter to everyone but I also had the privilege of knowing her spirit which was as beautiful as she was. She was a loving, compassionate, tender person who thought of others and loved everyone. Her goal in life was to make people happy and she excelled at that.
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| Sister Krause and me trying on hats at a street vendor by the subway station entrance near my apartment in Rego Park, Queens |
Being able to serve, to love each missionary, and to grow in the Gospel has so blessed my life. I hope that you don’t mind that I share these memories with you.
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| New York New York South missionaries |
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| Dinner in my apartment. |
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| Fire Island Lighthouse - A favorite destination and get-a-way |
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| Freedom Tower from the Brooklyn Bridge |
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| I lived next door to the Long Island Railroad tracks. There was a Chapel between my apartment and the tracks. I liked to go to the bridge crossing the tracks and look into Manhattan. This was a particularly beautiful sunset with the skyline in the distance and a train on the tracks in the bottom right corner of the picture. |
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| No words needed to describe this sight!! |
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| I was trying out for a role on Broadway. Really, I went to zone conference looking like this to convince the missionaries to get their influenza vaccinations. I told them that if they got the flu, they would look like this and would feel as if they had been hit by the Long Island Express. |
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| Senior missionaries – Family Home Evening at my apartment and working in the kitchen preparing lunch for a zone conference |
This has been another busy week. Been to dentist and doctor’s office visits, calls and texts, and the usual daily chores that need to be done to keep life going.
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| Pic of pukeko birds from my car while waiting to get on the motorway |
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| Thursdays we have a Zoom senior sister study group |
Managed my daily beach walks. Felt a bit like the mailman walking his/her route through rain, snow, sleet, wind, etc. No snow nor sleet but plenty of rain, fog and wind. I love it!!!
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| Beach finds. Anyone know what the yellowish orange bumpy thing is? Animal or vegetable? |
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| It is impossible to find “authentic” Mexican food here. I went to Martha’s Backyard which is an American import store. I found this masa and made my own tortillas. Lacking a press, I used a saucepan to smash the dough. |
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| Had chicken tacos and dessert was tortilla with cinnamon and sugar. |
Monday evening we had a FHE for the senior missionaries in our mission. We had chili, corn bread and yummy desserts. We chatted and shared thoughts and ideas about how to make our mission a better place and to work with the younger missionaries to teach them how to better clean their flats and to be responsible and accountable.
I hope that you have a good week ahead. Look for the tender mercies in your daily life. I am grateful for the presence of the Lord in my life.
I love my Savior.
I love you my family and friends.
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