All-In Louise

This is THE MOST significant testimony I can share at this time, and it's about surrendering our will to God. I pray that it can help many people. The experience I’m going to describe happened while my husband was away for a six-week work training, and our kids and I were staying with my parents. I was a mom of two children age 2 and under, and I was run ragged. Everything was overwhelming for me. I didn’t feel safe or secure in anything. Although two and four years had passed from the dates of two spiritually and emotionally traumatic miscarriages, I still carried the pain within my heart, no matter how much I longed to be healed of it. I was short-tempered with my precious little toddlers, was crying or close to tears almost all the time, and could barely leave the house with my kids except for church because of how heavy my heart always felt. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ One day, my dad approached me and said, “Lui, do you think you can carry anything else on your plate?” “Oh, NO,” I thought. “He’s trying to volunteer me to help someone at church. But I can NOT. I can NOT help anyone. I feel like I’m barely surviving as it is.” Aloud, I said, “No, Dad, I don’t think I can.” He considered me for a moment, and then said “I think you need to forgive.” I stared at him. He returned my gaze. "He’s serious," I thought. Aloud, I said “I don’t hold any grudges against anyone, Dad- I don’t have the emotional energy to carry hate or anger like that. Why and who would I forgive?” “I don’t know,” he answered. “I just really feel like I needed to tell you that.” “Okaaaay,” I said. “Thank you. I will think about it.” ~~~~~~~~~~~ For the next few days, I did. I slowly started warming to the idea that maybe there WERE people and situations which I could forgive, and thereby free myself from burdens I didn’t even know I was holding. One night during this time, I’d just gone to the room I was staying in with our kids. I was trying to process things after having lost my patience with them, apologized, and gotten them down for bed. I heard a soft knock on the door, but wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone, so I ignored it and lay on my bed as though I was already asleep. Soundlessly, the door opened. Cracking an eye open, I watched my dad’s hand slide through the opening while holding a paper he’d printed out. He pressed the paper to the wall, where a pre-placed strip of tape at the paper’s top edge secured it there. Then his hand withdrew and the door silently closed. I left the bed, quietly crossed the room, and read the words printed on the paper. “As one’s will is increasingly submissive to the will of God, he can receive inspiration and revelation so much needed to help meet the trials of life.” – Neal A. Maxwell I stood there, absorbing the words. As I did, the Holy Spirit touched my heart, saying “Keep going this way.” So I looked up the quote by Elder Maxwell and found it came from an October 1995 talk called “Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father.” I read the talk and came upon this part: “The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. The many other things we “give,” brothers and sisters, are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us. However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give!” “Keep going this way,” the Spirit whispered again. ~~~~~~~~~ For the next few days, I turned the ideas over in my mind and heart. Forgiving anyone and everything that had ever hurt me. Surrendering my will to God. Trusting Him… no matter what. But I couldn’t commit to actually DO IT because of the fearful thoughts and doubts which came thick and fast every time I steeled myself to pray about these things. The loudest fear was this one: “As soon as I surrender my will to God, He’s going to take everything away from me to see if I really meant it. He’s going to test me. Watch and see. Or if I just don’t pray about this, and then He won’t have to test me. I can just keep going as I have been…miserably, but at least I’ll have my husband and kids.” I will forever be grateful that my dad issued this invitation, and that I chose faith instead of fear. Because after just a day or two of those fearful thoughts, I had had ENOUGH. That night, I prayed- and my life was changed forever. After I had gotten my kids to sleep in the room with me, I extricated myself from holding their hands and crossed the room to the mirror. I stared straight into my own eyes. I visualized that Heavenly Father was the one looking at me, and imagined I was speaking straight to Him with all the energy of my soul. “Heavenly Father,” I began. “I forgive…” and proceeded to name every person and situation that had ever caused me hurt. The last Person I forgave was …Him. And it was so, so hard. I was crying as I said, “Heavenly Father, I forgive You for breaking my heart with that first miscarriage. I forgive You for taking the second miscarriage, too.” (While it may sound overly dramatic to say He broke my heart with that first miscarriage, I can promise you that it is exactly as I describe. I had fully, 100% trusted Him and the blessing I’d received after I’d started bleeding, where I was promised that “Nothing is wrong.” But when the bleeding worsened and we rushed to the OB, she told me that I’d passed it already… I’d felt as though God had kicked me in the teeth, right off a mountain, and was laughing as He watched me fall. I’d had to fight for every fraction of an inch of spiritual ground I’d recovered in the four years since the miscarriage, and was still several years away from gaining a beautiful witness of how, truly, nothing WAS wrong… but back to my prayer in the mirror.) I was openly sobbing at this point, not even aware of my children sleeping just feet away from me. I’m surprised they never woke up and that no one else in the house came to check on me, but I’m grateful they didn’t, as I wasn’t done praying. Now that I’d forgiven, it was time to surrender. “YOU’LL REGRET THIS,” a fearful thought came. “I don’t care,” I thought back. “Heavenly Father, I surrender my will to You. You can take my life, and I will still trust You. You can take my marriage, and I will still trust You. You can take my children, and I WILL STILL TRUST YOU. You can take my family, my home, my mobility, my health, our livelihood…You can take it all, and I WILL STILL TRUST YOU. Forever.” Something subtle and deep shifted in the reflected eyes onto which my vision was locked. The desperation was replaced by a peace so sure and deep that I knew this was a defining moment, one which was setting the scene for the rest of my life. ~~~~~~~~~ I have so much more to share, at another time- tangents and backstories and more testimony. But for now, if there’s just one thing I wish I could impress upon all who read this, it would be: Do not fear to surrender your will to God. Trusting Him unlocks the door to abundant and abiding peace which will endure with you in every trial through which you pass. I echo the testimony of the prophet Paul: The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. I also affirm the witness of the prophet Alma: For I DO know that whosoever will put their trust in God will be supported in their trials and their troubles, and their afflictions, and will be lifted up- at not just the last day, but EVERY DAY. And I share this true witness with you in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

@the_jake_bastow It was breathtaking! 🥹 my and my family’s first time seeing the northern lights!!

@CauseOfTruth That’s incredible!

In the comments, post a beautiful picture of nature that you took yourself. I’ll start…

I dunno, @FiredUpCoug ‘s game “Feed My Sheep” is great for that age range and lends itself perfectly to a gentle lesson on how the Good Shepherd protects us from dangers (in the game’s case, it’s wolves, in your case, it was the enormous potential of tragic accident). 1 Nephi 1:20 also comes to mind. 🩵🩵🩵 Seriously, I and so many others on here and in your own life are beyond grateful that you and your kids are okay. ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

@FiredUpCoug That’s very generous of you, thank you. They’re 7 and 5, but fortunately they were quickly back to their usual selves once we got out of the car. They didn’t think much of it, thank goodness.

Yesterday was the worst day of my life: I took one son to school and went to my parents empty house to workout and get some work done. At 11:30 I left to go get both my sons out of school. I arrive at 12 to pick up one, drive 10 minutes away to pick up the other. I get into the car with my two boys, drive off from the school, take a left turn onto Timpanogos Hwy and that’s when I lose it. My eyes closed as though I fell asleep, which I practically did. While still driving, I wake up, breathe deep, and realize I’m having a diabetic seizure. I scream and I try to take control, but my seizure is preventing me from doing anything. I somehow check who’s behind me or in my blind spot so I can get into the service lane near an intersection. I finally get to the service lane and stop, but my seizure lets off the brake and I’m still going. I pass the intersection—I have no idea how—and I keep going, braking and going, braking and going. I black out. I wake up and now I’m in the middle lane, getting too close to oncoming traffic. I black out. I wake up and I’m now going into oncoming traffic. There’s literally a white suv about 20 feet in front of me. The driver moves out of the way. My boys are freaking out, crying, “YOU’RE GONNA CRASH!” I can’t do anything. I black out. I hear my mother-in law on the phone talking to me and my kids, I later learned my son answered the phone when the group was calling on WhatsApp. The worst of the seizure then takes hold and I slam the brakes, let go, slam the brakes. My car is now making noises, even it knows something is horribly wrong. I check my rear view and see a fire truck with its lights on. I check my right and there’s a blue Honda perpendicular to me, waving me to move forward. I was in a busy intersection. I’m still in the oncoming traffic side, but nobody is moving. Just watching. Finally, I slowly, but harshly slam into the light pole. I try to put the car in park but I go into reverse and hit the fire truck. I get it into park. Finally, the driving is over, but I’m still seizing. A lady comes to the passenger side, opens the door and asks if I’m ok. I tell her, “No.” She asks me what I need. That’s when my door opens with a fireman leaned down to me and I tell them, “Sugar. I’m diabetic.” I’m still can’t control my body, but somehow I manage to get that information out. The seizure ends. I try to get out so I can get on all 4s on the ground, but the fireman tells me to stay still. I tell him, “My children. Check on my children. Are they ok?!” The fireman says he sees my boys and they seem to be fine. That’s when I break and I wail like a baby. At the moment, I couldn’t recall everything that happened or how it happened, but I knew I had a seizure and put my two boys in great risk and possibly many others. They put me into the ambulance. The wailing doesn’t stop. I keep thinking about my boys and how scared they were and how it was all my fault. I should have checked my blood sugar before driving, even when I felt fine. I had no suspicion that I was low. None. The EMTs let me know that my wife called my phone, she knows and she’s on her way. I ask if I hurt anyone. Not a soul was hurt. I drove down Timpanogos Hwy having a seizure and no one was hurt. My kids are fine. Not a scratch on anyone, not even me. I wail like a baby again. The crying continued all throughout the day yesterday till my eyes were swollen. I can’t stop thinking the horrible things that could have happened to me, my boys, or people on the road. My life felt ruined for a moment in that ambulance. I put my children at risk, driving with low blood sugar. Stupid. Fortunately, everyone is ok. Everyone knows it was an accident and if anything it’s been a faith builder—in the worst possible situation, the best possible result occurred. I am embarrassed and ashamed, but I am also extremely grateful. I am sorry to anyone that was there.

@joyinbecomingp1 Books + solitude + snacks = BLISS

Yes I have always loved relaxing at home with some books. Although sometimes I truly miss socializing with humans more but that’s harder to do than it used to be

@IronRodWarrior What faith and valor!!! 🩵🩵🩵

The Dawning of the Gospel in Ghana! Amazing story in the History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Africa. In the early 1960s, Joseph William "Billy" Johnson (born 1934) was a devoted Christian in Ghana searching for deeper truth. Around 1964, a friend (R.A.F. Mensah) gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon. Billy read it with real intent and felt an overwhelming confirmation that it was true. He later described dreams and visions, including one where he saw an angel on the cover of the book (matching the copy he found), and another powerful experience where he heard his name called three times and received a direct call from the Lord to take up the work. Billy couldn't stop sharing what he read. Over the next 14 years, he tirelessly preached door-to-door and in the streets, organized study groups, and formed about 10 unofficial congregations (sometimes calling themselves "The Church of Jesus Christ") with over 1,000 people waiting for proper authority and baptism. They studied the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and other Church materials, fasted often, and prayed constantly for "the true messengers" with priesthood authority to come. When President Spencer W. Kimball announced the 1978 Revelation on the Priesthood (extending it to all worthy males), Billy heard the news on BBC radio and was overjoyed. He immediately wrote to Church leaders reporting that he and hundreds of others were ready. Just months later, in December 1978, the first official missionaries arrived: senior couples Rendell N. Mabey and his wife Rachel, along with Edwin Q. "Ted" Cannon and his wife Janath. They met with Billy and the prepared groups in Cape Coast. The missionaries interviewed the believers, taught as needed, and on December 9, 1978, held a large baptismal service on the beach near Cape Coast. Rendell Mabey baptized Billy Johnson in the ocean (along with many others, including R.A.F. Mensah), while the group performed 125 baptisms that day, with more following in the week. The next day, they organized the first official branch in Cape Coast, with Billy Johnson called as the first branch president. He later served as district president and eventually as a stake patriarch. Billy remained faithful until his death in 2012, and the Church has since grown dramatically in Ghana (including the Accra Ghana Temple). It's a stunning example of the Lord preparing a people through dreams, a sacred book, and persistent faith, long before the missionaries could arrive. The senior couples found "soil so fertile" that the work exploded almost overnight. These "prepared people" stories never get old. The Spirit really does go before the missionaries! Sources: newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/descen… "An African Legacy" by Rendell Mabey

@KimMac2002 Thank you for your prayers for them!!

@CauseOfTruth 🙏🙏

I’ve never tried to extend my reach on here until now, but it’s urgent: Please pray for my best friend. Please repost this for your own followers. I’m in Idaho for the week, here to support her and be a witness at her custody hearing tomorrow and Thursday. Her life, more than anyone I’ve ever met, echoes the trials of Job. Her faith, like Job, is MIGHTY. I’m seeking and expecting miracles for her, and I please with any who read this to please pray for her and put her and her children on whatever temple prayer roll you can. Their initials are: J, K, L, M. (J is mom, then kids). Please also put A, B, and D on there. (Lawyer, Ex, and Judge). Thank you, everyone. 🩵🩵

@tuuu28283 I rode the Shinkansen with my dad when I was 11 year old; he bought me Almond Pocky snacks from the refreshments part of the train, and I loved them so much 🤣🩵 But the Almond ones here in the USA don’t taste the same as I remember the ones on the train! 😩

アメリカの兄弟達が好きな お菓子買ってきた！！ どれが好きですか？？ 全部わかりますか？？

@BoiseState4Life I’m praying for you and Nicole that you will be blessed with unexplainable peace and heavenly strength as you confront the uncertainty ahead. 🩵🩵

Hi friends. I’m not one who usually asks for prayers from people on social media, but I feel like I need to this time. My faith is really being tested right now. My wife and I had our IVF consultation appointment yesterday. Staying optimistic and patient is hard. The next 4-5 months will likely be filled with unpleasant experiences, tears, financial headaches, and uncertainty. And the thing I hate most: waiting. I truly believe in miracles, and hope I’m not being selfish in asking for one for my wife and I. There are few things in life I’ve wanted more than this. My friends, please pray for my wife Nicole and I. Having children is something we’ve wanted for years. Thank you to the many people who have shown kindness and support from me. I think of you often and truly value your friendship.

When I think of him, two things immediately come to mind: his general conference invitation to read the Book of Mormon again that year no matter how many times we’d previously read it (and how that changed my life) and his story of “The Bucket of Bricks.” 🤣 youtu.be/S1_-OMb9sfk?si…

When I think of President Gordon B. Hinckley. I think of this 40 second clip. 😭 What an incredible testimony. A giant among men. Source: "Gordon B. Hinckley: A Giant Among Men" walmart.com/ip/Gordon-B-Hi…

@bartho81735 @Latterdaytruth Mine, too 🥹

@Latterdaytruth I have so many. I just love him. He signed my mission call.

What memory is sparked in your mind when you see President Gordon B. Hinckley?

@IronRodWarrior My heart when he started to tear up… 😢🩵🩵🩵 I love him. I love his cute wife. 🩵🩵

@IronRodWarrior How awesome 🥹🩵

🌊 A powerful, lesser-known story from LDS Church history in New Zealand (among the Māori people): This is a little longer, but necessary. I LOVE this story. (Sources in the thread). In March 1881, at a large tribal gathering (hui) near Te Ore Ore on New Zealand’s North Island, leaders of the Ngāti Kahungunu were debating which Christian church the Māori should join. Unsure, they turned to a respected chief and spiritual leader named Pāora Te Pōtangaroa (a wise matakite/seer). Instead of answering right away, Pāora said “Taihoa” or “Wait.” He retired to his home and spent three full days fasting and praying to Jehovah, asking which was the true church for his people. When he returned to the assembly on March 16, 1881, he declared: “My friends, the church for the Māori people has not yet come among us. You will recognize it when it comes. Its missionaries will travel in pairs. They will come from the rising sun (from the east). They will visit with us in our homes. They will learn our language and teach us the gospel in our own tongue. When they pray, they will raise their right hands.” He also spoke of a future “day of the fulness,” a “sacred church with a large wall surrounding it,” and the Māori as part of the lost sheep of the House of Israel. His words were carefully written down by Ranginui Kingi as a covenant for the people to remember. Pāora died later that year, but just a short time afterward (starting earnestly in 1882–1883), Latter-day Saint missionaries arrived from America. They traveled in pairs, came from the east, lived among the Māori in their homes and villages (not isolating themselves in European-style homes), learned the Māori language, taught the restored gospel directly in te reo Māori, and following the practice of the day, raised their right hands when offering prayers. Many Māori immediately recognized the exact fulfillment of Pāora’s prophecy. Whole families and branches joined the Church with great conviction. Missionary work among the Māori flourished rapidly on the North Island, and the Saints there embraced the fulness of the gospel, including the idea of temple work with tremendous faith. This is one of the beautiful “prepared people” stories of the Restoration: the Lord going before His servants through faithful local seekers who were praying and watching for truth. Pāora’s prophecy became a foundational witness for thousands of early Māori converts. ✨

Thank you for reposting, @TimoteoMitchell !!

Thank you so much, @TracerBuIlet !! 🩵

@MattDarJeito Thank you, Matt!! 🩵

@CauseOfTruth Praying

@skylergentry801 🥹🩵🩵

You know what to do, folks! All loves 🙏🏼🤟🏼🙏🏼🤟🏼🫂

@skylergentry801 Thank you, Skyler!! 🩵

@CauseOfTruth 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

@jmbrim3 It absolutely is 🥹🥹🩵

@CauseOfTruth This #SaintsOnX community is special here.

Let’s give this great sister’s friend some prayers and support. I know the power of prayer is real! God wants to answer and bless us!

@jmbrim3 @FAllanRoth1 You’re absolutely right, thank you so much 🩵🩵🩵

@FAllanRoth1 @CauseOfTruth I just saw it now too. I think prayers are always needed whenever given.

@FAllanRoth1 @jmbrim3 Your prayers are DEFINITELY in time. The in-person aspects of the hearing are over, but she and her ex/his lawyer have to each write and submit their closing arguments, due by May 8th. Discouragement continues to be her greatest enemy. I am so grateful for your prayers!!

@jmbrim3 Followed @CauseOfTruth, but I don't know if my prayers are in time. She posted this ten days ago.