While reading the Ensign this morning i came across a quote that was very touching to me! It also lead me to another Ensign article from the 1991 may edition by Boyd K Packer. i wanted to share a couple thoughts about this "moving of the water." so here are some quotes from the article;
"Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called bethesda. In these lay a great mulittude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water; whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had." John 5:2-4
"there as always been in all of humanity a sprinkling of those who are described in the scriptures as the blind, the halt, the lame, the deaf, the withered, the dumb. I speak to the families of those who, at birth or as the result of accident or disease, must live with an impaired body or mind. I desire to bring comfort to those to whom the words handicapped or disabled have very personal meaning. It is my intent to teach doctorine, which if understood, will reinforce your courage and endurance."
He then shares the story related in John chapter 9 about the disciples ponderings of a blind mans families sins. This is a good one and so dear to our family, look it up and read it!
"ther very purpose for which the world was created, and man introduced to live upon it, requires that the laws of nature operate in cold disregard for human feelings. we must work out our salvation without expecting the laws of nature to be exempted for us. Natural law is, on rare occasions, suspended in a miracle, but mostly our handicapped, wait endlessly for the moving of the water."
"Parents, take the time in the next home discussion to caution your family never to amuse themselves at the expense of the handicapped or of any whose face or form or personality does not fit the supposed ideal. Teach them that they, in their own way, should become like angels who "move the water," healing a spirit by erasing loneliness, emberrassment, or rejection"
D&C 138:17 "their sleeping dust will be restored unto its perfect frame, bone to bone, and the sinews and the flesh upon them, the spirit and the body to be united never again to be divided, that they might receive a fullness of joy."
"that day of healing will come, bodies which are deformed and minds that are warped will be made perfect. In the meantime, we must look after those who wait by the pool of bethesda."
"you parents and you families whose lives must be reordered because of a handicapped one, whose resources and time must be devoted to them, are special heroes. You are manifesting the works of God with every thought, with every gesture of tenderness and care you extend to the handicapped loved one. Never mind the tears or the hours of regret and discouragment; never mind the times when you feel you cannot stand another day of what is required. You are living principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ in exceptional purity. And you perfect yourselves in the process."
"think of this; unless we die prematurely, every one of us may end up with both physically and mentally handicapped. We would do well to make advance payments of service and compassion on which we may draw when that time comes."
my favorite part is the end when Boyd K Packer leaves a strong and striking testimony of his witness of things to come.
"i am witness of the condition of those who have gone beyond the veil, and we all have reason to glorify Him who is our Father and HIm who is our Redeemer, of whom i bear witness in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.'
i pray that we will all strive to move the water a bit! and most of all i want to thank all those that do move the water for saylor, she has been so blessed and loved by those around her!
audrey
PS sorry for any grammer errors!
