I spoke in church this Sunday.
I spoke in church today. About feeling the spirit and the hand of God in our lives. I included below links the source talk I was asked to reference and to a performance the hymn I quoted. It’s a pretty Sunday. Here’s my talk.
Good morning, my name is Witter Case and I was asked to speak about experiencing the spirit and hand of God in our lives. I'll be using Elder Bednar's most recent conference talk.
This was a subject I found I could use some reflection upon. I think that is part of why this portion of Elder Bednar’s recent talk really spoke to me.
“I asked our guests if they had any observations they wanted to share. One of the journalists said with great emotion, “I have never experienced anything like that in my entire life. I did not know quiet like that existed in the world; I simply did not believe such stillness was possible.”
I was struck by both the sincerity and the starkness of this person’s statement. And the journalist’s reaction highlighted one important aspect of stillness—overcoming and tuning out the commotion of our external environment.
As I later pondered the journalist’s comment and reflected on the often hectic pace of our modern lives—the busyness, noise, diversions, distractions, and detours that so often seem to demand our attention—a scripture came to my mind: “Be still, and know that I am God.””
I crave that stillness. That peace.
In my youth I often found the quiet boring. I spent much of my time chasing excitement, thrills. Whitewater rafting in the summers, and skiing in the winters. Blaring headphones or speakers the entire time. The only gap being my mission. Where my zeal for physical service was probably informed by earlier times.
I wish I could say that changed with age. That I slowly mellowed, gained more peace. Built upon that mission experience. It hasn’t been the case. I’ve spent most of adult life and the vast majority of my career in high tempo high stress situations. 3 solid years of it was spent on artillery, rifle, and air to ground ranges. As my time in military service ended I left that role behind for ICUs, ambulances, and ERs.
It remained that way until I physically needed a break in the tempo. My physical health, my mental well-being needed a break. For a year I worked in hospice. A place of true quiet of stillness. Of a peace I hadn’t seen in awhile. And in that quiet I made a realization.
It was there I realized that often I could be the stillness. That I was often the stillness. Maybe I could give back the stillness. Even in the midst of all of those high stress, high tempo times I often had been. It was an empowering moment.
I often wondered where that peace came from. That stillness. I had to say it was Christ.
As Elder Bednar said later in the talk. Referencing how to build our spiritual footings, "the foundation of our lives must be connected to the rock of Christ if we are to remain firm and steadfast."
The idea of Christ. Faith in him was a sustainment. A place to truly build an internal peace upon.
I was reminded of sacrament meetings in various uniforms. Sleeping before and after. Reading scriptures. Earnest prayers. Emulation of service.
I hope that those attributes were genuinely shared. Over time that became purposeful.
In time I returned to a higher tempo role. For awhile. Then it was my turn to be the patient. I returned to higher tempo positions and my health tanked again. Worse this time. Physically and mentally I was in need of someone to be that stillness for me. And I found it.
Seeing the love of our Heavenly Father, of Christ, in those around us has been the most edifying thing in my life. Being near and around those people who provided true love, service, and stillness to me.
The kindness. The patience. The empathy. I’m forever grateful for what I received then and what I continue to experience now.
Nowhere has that been more apparent than with my Wife, children, and family (chosen and given) in our home. As it should be.
Elder Bednar also said,
"Today I repeat a principle I previously have emphasized. Our homes should be the ultimate combination of both sacred time and holy place wherein individuals and families can “be still” and know that God is our Heavenly Father, we are His children, and Jesus Christ is our Savior."
I'm striving to have that be my home. To be able to feel the stillness of sacrament or a grove of trees when needed.
One of the refrains I often turn to, "Be still, my soul the Lord is on thy side."
It has been for many years and will for many to come. It’s that simple reminder to stop and listen. To be still. Be still to listen to guidance. Be still to feel the savior’s presence in our lives. And to be still enough to help the others around us who need stillness too.
That’s the greatest thing about the gifts the gospel gives us. We can share the best parts to help those around us. If we can remember the foundation we build our life upon. And do our best to be a little more still and reflectively, we can do great things. Things that exceed our expectations and enrich our lives regardless of limitations physically. Stillness is that gift that keeps on giving.
I had the opportunity to listen to Elder Bednar on my mission. And two moments from that q&a have stuck with me for a long time.
First, that we often need to reflect inwardly to know what we need to do. And second if we life our life based on principles we know we’ll be alright.
I think a focus on the Savior, taking the time to reflect on that in stillness can accomplish those very things.
It isn’t always easy.
This weekend is usually a harder one for me. It’s a weekend where I can use more of that stillness. It can help take pain away from the memories. I’m so very thankful for that. As I need it this year. It’s been a harder one. More recent losses have touched on the wounds of older ones.
As always the most solace has been found in the reflection on a Savior. And what that means.
I believe in Christ. I’m forever thankful for his gospel, his atonement, and how that knowledge and faith has shaped my life.
I say these things in his name. Amen.
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