Mark 5:38-42 Elder Shayne M. Bowen
“On February 4 of 1990, our third son and sixth child was
born. We named him Tyson. …“When Tyson was eight months old, he aspirated a
piece of chalk that he had found on the carpet. The chalk lodged in Tyson’s
throat, and he quit breathing. His older brother brought Tyson upstairs,
frantically calling, ‘The baby won’t breathe. The baby won’t breathe.’ We began
to administer CPR and called 911.
“The paramedics arrived and rushed Tyson to the hospital. In
the waiting room we continued in fervent prayer as we pled to God for a
miracle. After what seemed a lifetime, the doctor came into the room and said,
‘I am so sorry. There is nothing more we can do. Take all the time you need.’
She then left”
“As I felt the guilt, anger, and self-pity trying to consume
me, I prayed that my heart could change. Through very personal sacred
experiences, the Lord gave me a new heart, and even though it was still lonely
and painful, my whole outlook changed. I was given to know that I had not been
robbed but rather that there was a great blessing awaiting me if I would prove
faithful. …
“I testify that … ‘as we rely on the Atonement of Jesus
Christ, He can help us endure our trials, sicknesses, and pain. We can be
filled with joy, peace, and consolation. All that is unfair about life can be
made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ’ [Preach My Gospel: A Guide to
Missionary Service (2004), 52]” (“Because I Live,” 17).
