Darkness before the Light

"When the brother of Jared sought a remedy for the darkness, he put his mind and muscle to the solution and “did molten out of rock sixteen small stones, white and clear.” I have tried to imagine the work and ingenuity it would take to molten stones. What kind of grueling labor in those times was required to create a heat source that can molten stones, sweat dripping from your brow? Did he fell trees and make a fire? Did he fashion a furnace? Were the stones heavy that he lugged up to that mountain top?

Yet still, after all the brother of Jared could do, after hard labor and effort, and the best solutions of his own mind, still he had only 16 dark stones. They were only able to shine when they were touched by the finger of God.

I am worker; I labor with diligence. It is tempting to take off each morning like a shot, and run my weary distance on my strength alone, but I have found, with the brother of Jared, that my work comes to nothing and the stones of my labor are left cold and dark unless God touches it with his light. I can do nothing without Him. He is the source of light; “And the light which shineth which giveth you light is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings; Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things” (D&C 88: 11-13)." I found this from an article Meridian Magazine, Maurine Jensen Proctor, A Divine Homesickness that my MIL posted on her blog.

This is just a piece of a great article. A piece that fits me... I am a worker and often try to work everything out or fix everything on my own. This week my Dad called me and I knew by the tone in his voice something was very wrong. As his message hit me...my first thoughts were what can I do to help... why didn't I "fix" this earlier... but as the week has progressed I have found there is nothing to "do" on my own. Instead I must turn to My Savior and allow him to strengthen me. Through the prayers of my family he has comforted me. I am so grateful for the gospel and my testimony of the Savior. I am looking forward to this week before Eater. I plan to teach my children about the Life of Christ and draw near to him as we prepare for Easter Sunday. I also look forward to listening to the words of the Prophet at Conference on Sunday. I know when we do all we can the light of the Savior is there to make even the darkest nights turn to day.

We will start our week with a candle light dinner tonight and a reading of the 3 days of darkness before Christ's visit to the Americas.