You Are More Blessed Than You Realize

Recently, I was driving around with no particular destination in mind. Feeling somewhat sorry for myself and the status of unemployment for which I found myself. I was wallowing on the brink of deep feelings of despair and depression. I consider myself a person with a consummate positive outlook – there’s always a silver lining whatever the storm–the sun will rise and still shine again tomorrow–life doesn’t get much better than this – kind of guy, so these feelings of discouragement and lack of worth are unfamiliar and unwelcome, and seemed to be piling onto an already large mountain of discouragement. Along with family and many others on my behalf, I had been fasting and praying for answers and respite, and for heavenly intervention, when at a dark moment the Lord in His infinite compassion and mercy spoke softly to my mind saying:

Calvin, you are loved. And you are more blessed than you realize. Not even a minute percentage of the entire population of the world has been blessed to have the fullness of My Gospel during their mortal lives. Even fewer have known the blessings of bearing the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood – the power and authority by which all that is has come to be, as well as all that will ever be. And even fewer in this mortal existence have experienced the blessings of temple marriage, creating bonds of eternal family relationships, having their children both born in the covenant and knowing the blessings of the sealing power in their homes. You live during a time of spiritual abundance as the fullness of my gospel is available to all that will accept it. Personal tutoring by Holy Ghost is available to any seeker of truth and is accessible on a scale previously unrealized. And you, my son have unlimited access to the Holy Spirit's sweet influence because of your membership in the Lord’s Kingdom on earth and your commitment to the covenants you’ve made. Kings and Queens, Rulers of Nations, the most learned men and the brightest minds for millennias past have not known the conveniences and technologies and modern blessings that are a reality and readily at your disposal. The most wealthy and elite of the world’s history have never had accessibility to the keys of knowledge and wisdom, the scriptures, and current revelation from living prophets and apostles at their fingertips as you do. From every perspective - spiritually, temporally, physically, socially, emotionally, individually, and collectively, you have been and are blessed with an outpouring from the windows of heaven, insomuch as there has not been room enough to receive it. When you pause and consider the enormity of it, the sheer volume of it, you will realize with awesome wonder the feeling that you scarce can take it in. You are rich and blessed beyond measure when compared to the overwhelming majority of the people that have ever lived on this mortal sphere, as well as to the world’s current inhabitants. Remember your blessings, they are countless. Any discomfort or tribulation you are called to endure will be for your good. Hold on the way, your days are known, and your years shall not be numbered less. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart. Fear not what man can do, for God will be with you. You are blessed more that you realize. And know my son that you are loved more than you could ever know.

One recent realization is that God allows trials, tragedies and injustices in this life to create opportunities where we can learn more of His love, of His power, and of His limitless ability to bless, save, and deliver His children. Without the sore experiences of mortality, we would achieve less faith, accomplish less growth, and realize a reduced relationship with God. In many ways, the foundational purposes of life would be thwarted, or at least diminished, and the end product would be a fraction of what it will otherwise be.

Wm. Calvin Hughes

November 2010