Sunday Lesson, Jan 22nd

For this week’s lesson, the teacher mostly focused on the General Conference talk by Carole M. Stephens, “The Master Healer”. Sister Stephens started by saying, “We need women who have a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ.” She went on to read from 2 Nephi 31:19-21 which reminds us that the doctrine of Christ includes faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, being steadfast in Christ, having hope, loving of God and all men, and enduring to the end. Living these principles helps us develop greater love for our Savior as we realize that He is our foundation.

Sister Stephens then described three ways our relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can be deepened as we endure adversity. These experiences can refine and bless us.

1. “The Savior, the Master Healer, has the power to change our hearts and give us permanent relief from the sorrow caused by our own sin.” Our Savior’s promise is simple and merciful, as long as we come unto Him with a teachable and humble heart, He will meet us where we are. He can change us so that we can go forward as stronger individuals. Elder Renlund, in his conference talk, reminded us “repentance is not only possible but also joyful because of the Savior.”


2. “The Master Healer can comfort and strengthen us when we experience pain because of the unrighteous actions of others.” Many feel guilty and ashamed and want to hide the painful things that have happened to them, but this will not bring healing. Hope and healing will return to our lives as we turn to Jesus Christ and invite His love into our lives.


She quoted the talk Elder Richard G. Scott gave in the October General Conference of 2002. He said, “When you have done what is reasonable to help one you love, lay the burden at the feet of the Savior…As you so act, not only will you find peace but will demonstrate your faith in the power of the Savior to lift the burden of sin from a loved one through his repentance and obedience…Complete healing will come through your faith in Jesus Christ and His power and capacity, through the Atonement, to heal the scars of that which is unjust and undeserved.”


3. “The Master Healer can comfort and sustain us as we experience painful realities of mortality such as disaster, mental illness, disease, chronic pain, and death.” The pain we feel in mortality as we see loved ones suffer can be very painful. She reminded us that when we feel we want to take away the suffering of others, we can look to our Savior who has suffered all things and can lift and help all those who will turn to Him.

Sister Stephens closed by pleading with us not to suffer alone. If we will come to our Savior, Jesus Christ, He will heal us and take away our pain.