Stories Gallery

I had a friend once early in high school who I had a falling out with. My attempts to be friends again were ignored or actively rejected. We were all part of the same friend group too. It was really hard and I hated it, but whenever we were in the same area we just kind of ignored each other. I guess I was grateful that we could at least make that bit work, but I knew I didn’t want that to be the way it was forever. Feeling really down about it one night I prayed to God for help. I just wanted our friendship back and I didn’t know what to do. I knew I couldn’t force them, and I knew God wouldn’t either. I honestly didn’t know what God could do. Maybe it just felt good talking to someone who I knew loved me. During that prayer though I felt peaceful, like my worries were gone. I got a clear feeling that it will get better, but it will take time. I felt like God was going to help me through this, and make a miracle happen. Shockingly, I felt like it would be one year from now. I thanked God and held on to that promise. One year later, this person and I started talking again and our friendship healed. I won’t ever forget God’s help, even if it was just to give me comfort and strength until the healing He knew would happen came.

I remember a time when some family came to visit and while it was certainly fun, it was also really rough. Often I felt like an outsider among them, like I didn’t quite fit it. Their interests and things they wanted to talk about were so different than mine. Even when I tried to engage, it wouldn’t go far. I know they didn’t mean anything malicious, but none then less I just felt out of place. After they left I prayed for comfort and I got rather emotional. I prayed for someone to talk to who would understand what I felt. I just didn’t want to be feel alone. The next day, late at night, I got a text from a friend asking if I was awake and if I’d be down to chat. I was tired, and honestly not really up for calling, but I kept getting the feeling that I should. Rationalizing that it would be fine either way, I was about to tell them no, but the feeling came again. Somewhat grudgingly, I decided to trust the feeling and called. During our chat, I opened up about the rough experience and to my surprise they shared something similar. We talked for hours about the pain of wanting to have some kind of connection with family, but feeling like an outsider. At the end they told me that they felt to call, and I shared that I felt to answer. It was a beautiful moment between us, and we both shared our gratitude for the Lord who guided us. These kinds of moments help me learn to trust the Savior. I know He wants to help us.

There was a time when I was with a dear friend and somethings were said that hurt me. I didn’t even know if they were aware. It did not seem so. After they left the hurt sank deeper into my heart and I began to pray. I wanted to say something to them, but wasn’t sure how or if it would be the right thing to do. I prayed and asked specifically, ‘If it is right to say something, please can You provide an opportunity that I can see, to do it and please give me the words’. I knew I would see that dear friend later that day. I prayed again before being with them for strength and guidance. Later when I came to the place where I knew I would see them, I said a prayer again in my car. I was hurting but didn’t want to say anything if it would make matters worst. I went into the building and as they saw me they approached immediately. They said, “I think I owe you an apology”. Wow…. I was stunned. That was a ‘golden opportunity’. I was able to share my earnest feelings in such an easy and sincere way. It was well received and I felt a ‘peace beyond understanding’. After talking to them, I found a quiet place and quickly knelt down and gave thanks for what I felt was a miracle of the tenderest kind.

There was a time in my life where so many things seemed to go wrong. I could not go to school because I did not have the money. I lost a few things, and I felt like I couldn’t do much of anything worthwhile. One of the few good things in my life was a girl I was dating. When we broke up, that was the last straw. I felt like I was abandoned by God. I was trying to do all I could to make my life good, but I felt like I had nothing. I hurt a lot, and got to the point where I was looking for any way to escape the pain. Running away, giving up entirely. Even a thought of suicide crossed my mind. But I knew not even that would be an escape from pain if I took my own life. That night, I was physically shaking, because my mind was in such a torment of pain. I really didn’t know what to do, and for several hours I was like that: thinking of anything I could do to get out of what I had gotten into. After going through so much heart-breaking torture, my eye looked over at my wall where a picture of the Savior was hanging. As my mind was thinking of Christ, I came to a conclusion: There really is no other way. I cried out in my mind, “Jesus, take away my pain.” Not another 5 seconds passed, when my pain immediately disappeared. The anguish of pain my mind was causing me completely disappeared. Nothing replaced those feelings, but the pain was gone. I lay there amazed at what had just taken place. I thanked God as I turned over to try and get sleep. After a few minutes, as I lay there, suddenly, what seemed to be a container burst over me, and enveloped me. The Spirit was not just in my heart, but I felt like I was wrapped in a cocoon of spirit and goodness. And all I could feel was love…God’s love for me. I know God does not leave us alone.

Years ago I was helping my daughter with her newborn baby and her 5 older children. Everything was comfortable and moving along nicely. I would ride with her in the mornings when she brought the older children to school and her husband would pick them up on his way home from work. All was going well until she injured her shoulder in a small car accident about 2 weeks after I was there. A friend would bring the children to school in the morning after that, as I knew I could not drive the major highways. I lived in the country and country roads and country highways were all I was comfortable with. One day her husband called and said he had to work late and he could not pick the children up from school. She would need to ask someone else to do that. No problem, she had many friends. She called one friend, then another, and another — no one was able to do it. I couldn’t believe it. When she asked me if I could do it, I flat out said “I cannot!” I was terrified of driving on a major highway. When all options were exhausted I knew I had to step up. I prayed so hard and the encouraging words came: “You won’t be alone, you can do this.” I got into her car and my prayers never stopped. I knew the route and prayed constantly. Comfort and courage came. At one point the thought came ‘Can you believe you are driving an SUV on a major 4 lane highway??’ I panicked. I collected myself and said a prayer. Again the comforting and encouraging words came, ‘You are not alone, you are not alone.’ Peace and encouragement came. I was able to make the drive that day and knew I was never ever alone. Her husband met me at the school and I then followed him home. I was never alone.

There was a day on campus when I went to say hi to a friend who I honestly had started to like. Seeing and visiting with them always made the day good. Sadly the visit didn’t go well, and I got the impression that perhaps they were moving on from our friendship. We had been friends for many years and this hurt a lot. I started home, all the while praying in a panic to God for comfort. I was feeling so alone, depressed, and heartbroken. Halfway home, and without any peace being felt, I slowed my pace and began to wonder: why was I not feeling His comfort? I had felt it before so many times – so why not with this? Then the thought came “What will you do now?” After a moment, I decided that since I knew the Savior was there, I would not give up, even if I did not feel it then. My prayer changed, and instead of praying for help, I testified of what I knew. I told God I knew He was there, and that even if I don’t feel peace now, I wouldn’t be angry with Him. I would continue to trust Him, no matter what, because I knew one day I would feel peace again. It seemed like immediately after praying those words, I felt a warmth, like a hug, along with such comfort that it completely overpowered the pain. It was so strong I stopped in the middle of the road out of surprise and began to cry. The words that I felt were “I am here. I will always love you — even if you can’t feel it. Keep going. I am with you.” It was a simple moment, but it changed me forever.

One day I remember feeling particularly down. I was struggling to complete some goals I had set for myself, and this led to feelings of being a failure. When the time came to exercise, I didn’t want to; however, getting a clear feeling like I should just do it anyway, I reluctantly got changed and began my exercise (which usually is playing a rhythm game in VR). While playing, the memories of all the times I’ve been rejected, thought little of, viewed as hopeless, or simply looked down on (often times by my own self) kept looping in my mind. As my anger and frustration grew, I found myself giving into the emotion, and letting it push me to exercise harder. I admit it felt good, especially to see how it did seem to make me better in the game. After a while I kept feeling like something was off, and realized that I had turned to my anger and kept it alive by continually feeding it those horrible thoughts. Deep down I knew that Jesus Christ wouldn’t want anger to carry me through my pain. That’s when I got this feeling that was simply, “Let ME carry you”. My anger slowly faded as I focused on that phrase, and peace began to grow. I knew I wasn’t a failure. I was just learning and growing. Most of all, I knew that Jesus Christ was with me. Was getting my anger and frustrations out like that a bad thing? Honestly I don’t know, but regardless I believe Jesus Christ had a more important lesson to teach me, and that was to not let anger carry me, but Him.

While I was serving a mission for my church in Los Angeles, my depression was fairly intense. One morning in particular, I seemed to be in a strange tunnel of distortion: walking across my bedroom felt like it took all my energy out of me. I knew I needed to shower and get ready for the day, but I couldn’t even imagine lifting my feet up over the side of the tub or turning the water spigot. I felt physically drained. In prayer, I asked, “Please, Lord, can I just feel the weight lift off of me for five minutes? Then I’ll have the strength to face what’s next.” Immediately, a picture formed in my mind of my older sister. My sister is a vivacious, energetic person. I could almost hear her say, “Pick out an outfit, sister! Find something colorful to wear. Get showered and put it on.” I followed these instructions. For about five minutes, I felt an amazing clarity and springiness. It was like she had waved a magic wand over my head and completely dispelled the awful fog. Although the sadness and weight did come back, I was amazed at the powerful feeling of wellbeing that lasted—as I had asked—for five minutes. In all my time with depression, I have never felt such immediate and precise relief. This moment felt like a little package of love from Jesus Christ. I felt that He knew me personally and understood my pain, and this is why He could help me in such a powerful way. He later led me to get more extensive help through medication and therapy, but I’ll never forget that He was also there with me in the worst of it.

About midway through college I developed bad sleep insomnia. Naturally, it made my mornings really rough, and my ability to focus even worse. My studies started to decline and I was falling behind in pretty much all my classes. I tried seeing doctors and getting medication, but nothing seemed to help. I genuinely felt hopeless. One day, after failing again to make it to classes and complete certain assignments, I turned to God in prayer. I had prayed many times about this, but they were always simply prayers begging God to take my sleeping problems away. Now, though, I just wanted anything. Literally anything. I remember praying to God candidly that I knew my situation just wasn’t working and it wasn’t sustainable in order to complete my degree. I didn’t know what could be done, but I was at my wits end. I asked for help, and even if my sleeping issues didn’t go away, I wanted to know what to do, even if it meant dropping out. After I said all that, I had a simple thought that tonight I would find the answer, and that specifically I should go to a get-together a friend of mine was having. That night I found out about an online program through a sister college that not only would allow me to transfer my completed classes and finish my degree, but would also allow me to set my own schedule so I could rest when I was able to. It was the miracle I needed, and while I still struggle with sleep, I thank God to this day for leading me to a solution I didn’t know existed.

Several years ago, I thought I had reached the end of my rope. My heart had been broken for the first time — to the point that I was throwing up with anxiety and depression. I was also doing my student teaching which added a whole other level to my growing stress. To top it all off, I came down with a cold that left me feeling lethargic and unmotivated. I remember sitting in my pajamas in my apartment on a Sunday evening, bawling and literally feeling like I couldn’t go on — that I wouldn’t survive another day. I called a friend to ask for a prayer and a blessing. It was good, and helped a little, but the intense anxiety and sorrow I was feeling still lingered heavily. I crawled into my bed that night, and as I was crying and saying my night prayers, I remembered the lyrics to one of my favorite Christian songs: “Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you.” I remembered the verse of scripture it was based on, 1 Peter 5:7. Desperately, I pleaded with the Lord that, if those things were true, then would He please take the burdens from me. I imagined “casting” my cares on him — giving Him all of my worries, fears, heartbreak, pain, etc, and imagined Him taking them. Immediately, I felt everything lift from my shoulders. My problems didn’t magically go away — I still had to go in and student teach the next day, I still had a cold, and the boy I had fallen for wasn’t suddenly going to date me — but I felt an astounding peace and comfort. I felt lighter. I knew I could go on, and that the Savior was with me.

I remember years ago when I retired to bed one night. I was frustrated and angry over a situation. I felt my chest tightening and my heart feeling ‘hard’. I did not like it at all. I knew it was not a place to be spiritually or physically. I knelt and prayed. I climbed into bed and continued to pray….. I prayed and cried a long while. I shall never forget the peaceful calm that gently, but suddenly, came over me. My eyes opened and I remember thinking, “Who’s here? What just happened?” The physical pain was gone…. My body felt relaxed and my heart and spirit felt love. I felt I had been embraced I knew He heard and answered my prayer. I knew I had a new heart and I would be able to do what was needed with Heaven’s help.