Strength Through Adversity

The following is the talk Mom Easterbrook shared at the recent Stake Conference:

Good morning brothers and sisters. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to speak to you this morning. I pray that the spirit of the Lord will be with me that I may say those things that the Lord would have me say to you today.

This morning I would like to speak to you about strength through adversity. Recently Hurricane Ike swept through our area. Many of us suffered a few inconveniences such as no power for several days, tree limbs in our yards, and downed fences. We were fortunate in that our homes and property did not receive greater damage than they did. However, those whose homes were flooded as a result of the hurricane suffered a great loss of personal belongings and devastation. Besides Galveston, members in Kemah, Seabrook, San Leon, and South Shore, cities that were near the water, were hard hit by Hurricane Ike.

The weekend after Ike hit, members from our stake and a few hundred members from San Antonio rallied to the aid of our stake families and other families who had suffered damage to their properties. Meeting at the stake center and the League City building, members went out to surrounding areas to help in the cleanup of those areas. The cleanup at the League City Building focused mostly on homes near the water which had been affected by the storm surge.

The next weekend members from our stake, other Houston stakes and several hundred members from the Dallas area went down to Galveston to help the members in Galveston and other families in the community cleanup their properties. The support these members showed fellow members in need was a testimony to me of the love the Saints have for each other whether or not they are acquainted.

I had the opportunity to participate in the Galveston cleanup. What was amazing to me was that despite the fact that there was devastation all around it, the Chapel was protected and no flooding occurred there. It was as if the Lord were saying I will preserve my church so that my people may come to my house to worship me and be strengthened in their adversity.

I know that it has been difficult for these families to see all that they have worked for destroyed by the hurricane. As you go through the process of putting your homes back together it is my hope and prayer that you will draw close to the Lord and do his will and He will strengthen you. We as brothers and sisters in the gospel are here to help strengthen you as well.

We know that the Lord sent us to earth to be tested. In Abraham 3:25 we read the words of the Lord concerning our purpose here on earth. “And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.”

The Lord explained the purpose for which we must be tested while here on earth in Doctrine and Covenants 136: 31: “My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them.”

We cannot always control everything that happens to us in this life, but we can control how we respond. We had no control over the hurricane coming to Galveston. The adversity created by the hurricane could cause one to lose his faith. However, as we put our lives in the hands of the Lord, He will strengthen us and help us put our lives back together.

When my granddaughter Ellie, who was 21 months old at the time, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in August, 2006, it was a time of adversity for my family and me. Because of the nature of the tumor, Ellie was given a 7% chance of survival. My family and I put our trust in the Lord. We knew that Ellie was in the Lord’s hands and we had faith that the Lord’s will would be done.

My daughter Sonja, who is Ellie’s mom, and I spent several months in Denver during Ellie’s chemotherapy. During that time, the Friendswood First Ward which was Ellie’s ward and the Friendswood Second Ward which was my ward each held a special fast for Ellie. Each week the Primary presidency in Ellie’s ward asked the Primary children to pray for Ellie. Those children remembered and prayed daily for Ellie’s recovery. There was a great outpouring of love from the members of both those wards. The faith and prayers of the members of the two Friendswood wards and of other families in our stake strengthened my family during this difficult time.

After 3 months of chemotherapy Dr. Foreman, Ellie’s oncologist, called Sonja in to inform her that the brain tumor had grown back. Our family was devastated of course. Dr. Foreman told Sonja that Dr Handler, a brain surgeon at the Children’s Hospital in Denver could surgically remove the tumor; however, the surgery was highly risky and could result in Ellie’s death. The other option was to take Ellie home, make her as comfortable as possible and wait for her imminent death. Sonja and her husband A.C. opted for surgery. Ellie was given a beautiful blessing by her father before the surgery. The day of Ellie’s surgery our family had a special fast. The tumor was successfully removed and Ellie recovered quickly. A few days after the surgery Dr. Foreman called Sonja in to tell her that the tumor that had been removed was benign. You can imagine the great joy my family felt that Ellie’s life had been spared. Brent’s Place where Sonja, Ellie and I were staying at the time called Ellie a miracle baby. And so it was a miracle. The Lord heard and answered all our prayers. After five and a half months of chemotherapy and 2 brain surgeries, Ellie was released and allowed to go home. It was a joyous homecoming!

Elder Marvin J. Ashton, a former apostle has said: “Adversity will surface in some form in every life. How we prepare for it, how we meet it, makes the difference. We can be broken by adversity or we can become stronger. The final result is up to the individual.”

Many of us know about the prophet Joseph Smith being a prisoner in Liberty Jail in Missouri for a number of months under deplorable conditions. Despite petitions and appeals to executive officers and the judiciary, there was no relief in sight. Joseph pleaded for understanding and assistance from Heavenly Father. The answer finally came as found in Doctrine & Covenants 121:7-8:

“My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

“And then if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.”

Joseph Smith’s noble character and stature were shaped and achieved by constant victories over his afflictions.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the 12 apostles has said: Living the gospel does not mean the storms of life will pass us by, but we will be better prepared to face them with serenity and peace.”

In Doctrine & Covenants 90:24 the Lord admonishes: “Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly.”

As this scripture states we must search diligently and feast on the word of God as found in the standard works of the Church and in the words of living prophets. As we do this daily, the Holy Ghost will reveal the truth of the scriptures and of the counsel of our living prophets unto us. As we follow this counsel we will draw close to our Savior.

We also need to pray. As President Henry B. Eyring has said: “The first, the middle, and the last thing to do is to pray.” Praying is another way to draw close to the Lord and to know His will. As we come to know His will, we will come to know our Savior Jesus Christ.

In trials we encounter in this life the Savior should be our solace and our sanctuary. The Lord has told us to be of good cheer. As we draw close to the Lord and keep the faith, the Lord will not forsake or forget us. He is always mindful of our needs. During the time that Ellie was being treated for her brain tumor, my family drew close to the Lord and had faith that Ellie would be healed. We felt the love of the Saints as well as the love of the Lord which strengthened us during this time of adversity.

Brothers and Sisters Heavenly Father loves each one of us and wants us to return to live with Him one day. In order to be able to go back to His presence we must be spiritually prepared. We prepare ourselves spiritually by doing the will of the Lord and living the gospel. As we come to know the Savior and follow his counsel we will be blessed with the knowledge that the Lord will come to our aid and strengthen us in times of adversity. I have a testimony that Jesus Christ lives and that He loves us. I know that as we draw near to the Lord He will draw near to us and strengthen us as He did my family and me in the name of Jesus Christ amen.