Mortal Angels

Saturday evening I had the wonderful opportunity to go to the Conference Center in Salt Lake City to attend the Relief Society General meeting.  I was particularly touched by President Monson's talk.  He emotionally spoke of the importance of not being judgemental, and he reminded us to continually live by our Relief Society motto, "charity, never faileth."

His talk stirred up in me memories of others examples of compassion, charity, and understanding that have been given to me.  In the midst of the darkness of depression, especially that of severe depression, my self esteem and confidence were at times depleted to almost nothing.  It then became easy for me to believe that I was unlovable and that others couldn't truly care about me.

However, there have been several times through this mental battle, that the charity and kindness of others, kept me going to the next day and the next week.  A smile, a compliment, or a hug given to me, literally became a sustaining influence in my life.

As my depression has started to lift it has become easier and more clear for me to see that these individuals, including my good husband were heaven sent.  They were and continue to be "mortal angels" in my life.  Elder Jeffery R. Holland said: "When we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil.  Some of them we walk with and talk with-here, now, every day.  Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods.  Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me.   Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind."

I believe that most people have the desire to lift and strengthen others and to more fully emulate the Savior's perfect example of charity.  I also believe that we will all have times in our lives when we need to allow others to lift and strengthen us.  I would say more frequently than not, that it's a lot more difficult to allow others the opportunity to serve and strengthen us, than it is for us to be the one serving and strengthening.  It's a very humbling experience to allow others the opportunity to serve you.  But at the same time, those humbling experiences can be just the thing we need to recognize and feel the Savior's love for us, through others who are serving as instruments in God's hands.

To those who may currently be struggling with depression, please accept and believe in the goodness and kindness offered to you by others, even if it's just one person.  I know how difficult this can be to accept, when your self esteem and self confidence is almost non existent.  But sometimes the goodness and kindness of these earthly angels, might be the aid you need to make it through another day, or another week.

I'm so grateful for the "mortal angels" who have crossed my path and blessed my life.  I will be eternally grateful for their compassion and goodness!