| Response |
Well, since I have three brothers who suffer greatly with challenges, (Virl and Tom are hard of hearing and Alan has
MS) I certainly do have an opinion on this subject. Yes, it is true that we are made in God's image. That is, we are
physical beings with a body, with physical features and form. Some of his children, including you and my brothers, have
been called upon to suffer in certain ways in order to bless the lives of the rest of us. I am reminded of a scripture in
John 9:1-3, which says, "And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth and his disciples asked him
saying, Master, who did sin? This man or his parents that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither this man sinned nor
his parents but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."
Not only do such disabilities test your faith, but they test all of our faith, as well. That is one of the great works of
God in that he will test the faith and the patience of his people. Further, such disabilities require an evermore
charitable response from the rest of us toward those who suffer with them. Such charity blesses not only he who has the
burden of the disability, but also those who are called upon to be compassionate and kind about it.
Orson F. Whitney once said, "No trial that we suffer is wasted. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when
we endure it patiently, ministers to our education, purifies our hearts,
makes us more tender and charitable and more worthy to be called the children of God."
The great blessing, is that if you endure this trial well, you
will be exalted in the Celestial Kingdom of our Heavenly Father. Be patient, "wait upon the Lord," and do all that you can
do to be kind, humble, and exemplary, even in the face of this trial. By so doing, it will serve to bless the lives of
others and, again, will manifest the works of God through you.
Sincerely,
Donny Osmond
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