we must do all we can

Over the past several years--well, actually since I became pregnant with my first child, nutrition and care of the body have been in the forefront of my thoughts and actions. I learned with successes and mistakes but have sought to do all in my power to preserve the health of my family and self. Mainly, I measure the "newest wisdom" by the Word of Wisdom. In the last year and a half, I've been growing weaker, increasing in pain, and generally losing my battle with health. I've tried everything I can think of so that I could 'walk and not be weary and run and not faint' to no avail.

In the past, I've had very little luck with doctors, which I won't go into here. Just suffice it to say that I don't put any in that profession on a pedestal. With false information and incompetent care, I'm leery to seek their advise or spend my money there. Usually, I avoid them.

With this new development in my health, I've been praying to find help and relief. If these can't be found, I pray for mercy in ending my struggles without too much more pain. So two things have happened this past week to answer my prayers. I don't know which way they will eventually be answered only that I see God's hand in my life.

A friend described something that her daughter is going through and in doing so described me to a tee. She also mentioned a new medical procedure that successfully treats this condition. It was as if the whole room of busy people faded into the background. Everything swirled around as my focus was drawn to the things of which she spoke. Hope grew in my soul. Maybe this will work for me.

Today while studying scripture with an institute manual, I read this quote. “Every man, woman and child should care for his or her body as the temple of God which it is. Attention should be given to proper rest and exercise, and a well-balanced diet. The Lord has given us the Word of Wisdom to assist us further in better caring for our bodies. There are times when we should pray for the sick, and through the priesthood lay hands upon the head of the ill and bless them...But our belief in the divine power of healing should in no way preclude seeking competent medical assistance. Dr. James E. Talmage, a member of the Council of the Twelve, in 1921 said in an address:‘I say some have charged us with inconsistency, for they say: “If you believe in the gift of healing, what is the need of doctors, what is the need of surgeons, why build hospitals?” Because we know that “there is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven, before the world was, and when we attain any blessing it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated;” and the law is, in the instance under consideration, that we shall do all we can of ourselves...‘We must do all we can, and then ask the Lord to do the rest, such as we cannot do. Hence we hold the medical and surgical profession in high regard...When we have done all we can then the Divine Power will be directly applicable and operative.’ The fact that faithful Latter-day Saints today are among some of the world’s eminent physicians and surgeons affirms our continuing adherence to the statement of Dr. Talmage made 56 years ago.” (Church News, 19 Feb. 1977, p. 16.)