Serving Safe and Sound: Trust in the Savior

Art: Nathan Greene

I've struggled with depression, anxiety, and addiction most of my life. For years I would rely on medications and other things to try to make me happy and find peace. It wasn't till I was around 35 till I figured out I needed help from the one that knew my struggles, knew my weakness and knew exactly what I need. I learned to rely and trust in my savior. He has gone through and felt everything that I do. It wasn't easy, and I still struggle at times. My human nature thinks that I can do things alone and my way, but reality is, I can't. I need to put my trust in my savior daily. I know that he is there for me no matter what. It doesn't matter what I have done, he will never leave my side. I am so grateful for him and his unconditional love. He has brought me from the gates of hell And I know he loves me unconditionally. When I rely on him, things aren't so bad and i can get through my trials stronger than i was before.

By Lindsay Workman

Serving Safe and Sound: Have Faith

My husband and I have been married now almost 26 years. We have known each other for 29. I know, it’s incredibly hard to believe, we both still look like we’re 20.

I adore him to no end. He is one of the most Christlike people that I have ever met. He is willing to do anything and everything for anyone. He works extremely hard at being a great husband, father, provider, priesthood holder, friend, example, and always continues to work on building his relationship with his Father in Heaven and his older brother Jesus Christ. Without his knowledge of the gospel, without knowing his older brother and what He has done for each one of us and how to turn to them, I’m pretty sure this amazing man that I know and love so deeply would’ve given up years ago.

Although I myself have never struggled with mental illness, personally I have watched someone whom I love so deeply suffer time and time again. I have watched him day in and day out drop to his knees, pour out his heart, turn his will to our Heavenly Father and Savior and let them guide him. It was a beautiful thing to watch my husband's transformation from when he hit his very low to where he is now. The relationship he shares with his older brother and how he continues to reach for Him when he starts to sink again gives me peace and hope.

I too experienced a lot of fear and a sadness as we went through those darker years together. I am grateful for the relationship that I too have with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. They are always with me and were with me through the ups and downs. They helped hold me up and give me the strength to keep going, to be the rock my husband needed and to support him. To see my husband for more than he is here upon this earth. To have a small little glimpse as to the amazing spirit he was before coming to earth and who he will be in the hereafter. It was something so sacred and special shared with me during this time. And although we have come very far, it is a daily battle we continue to face each and every day. But with the knowledge we know we won’t be fighting alone.

I’m so grateful for the knowledge I have of this Gospel and of my Heavenly Father and Savior. The comfort and peace that this brings me is like no other. I could not do this life without it. I know this to be true from personal experience time and time again. I feel it in my whole soul. Although things may seem extremely dark at times and you cannot see even the next step in front of you, please have Faith. Keep moving, take that next step. He will guide you and never let you fall.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen,

By Mandi Workman

Serving Safe & Sound: You are Never Alone

Art by Emily Shay

Save the Date for our “Safe and Sound” Day of Service
September 10th from 9-11 am at the Stake Center (For ages 8 and up). 

When we're little, we’re usually afraid of the monsters in the closet, but as we grow up, we realize the true monsters live in our heads. Mental health is something I’ve struggled with for a little bit now, from low self esteem to suicidal thoughts, it’s certainly a trial I’ve been dealing with for a long time. For the first few years of this trial, I felt alone and I didn’t know how to properly deal with these terrible feelings I was experiencing, so I resorted to self harm. I felt no one could understand me, I would even say to myself “If there was really a God and he loved me, he wouldn’t do this to me, he wouldn’t let me feel this way.” It didn’t help that at the time I had a group of friends who were very hateful towards the church. They never ever encouraged me to hurt myself, however, they told me these feelings could be a result of me not being happy with my gender, and though it confused me, I believed them. As I tried to change myself by watching and listening to the media they told me about and changing my clothing style to look more masculine, I realized I still wasn’t happy, in fact, I was getting worse. I told my parents that I was getting better and that I wasn’t having suicidal thoughts or urges, but deep down I knew I was lying. I felt worthless, I felt hurt, I felt empty, and most of all, I felt alone. 

While I was at my worst, I prayed, even though I thought no one was on the other side listening to me, my dear mother always taught me to turn to prayer, because if you feel like you’re not worthy to pray, that’s the time you should pray the most. I got down on my knees and prayed through sobs. All the sudden, I had an urge to go on the church YouTube channel and watch a couple of the New Testament story YouTube videos. “Heh that’s weird.” I thought to myself “It’s not like it’ll make a difference.” I watched this video called “He is Risen.” As I was watching it, I got a feeling I hadn’t had in a really long time, I didn’t know what it was, but I knew it was important. I didn’t immediately start believing but slowly, as I watched more media put out by the church, I started to realize what was true. I realized that my old friends, though having cared about me, were not good for me specifically, or for my testimony. So though it was hard, I had to leave the group to save my testimony. I was alone for the while, and honestly I still wasn’t sure if the decision I made was right. After a little bit of time had passed, I started to find a new group where my beliefs were respected if not shared. I realized that this trial only made me stronger and that I was never alone in the first place, I just wasn’t looking for light in the right places. I was even sent a person who taught me that I am beautiful inside and out and that I was made in the perfect image. 

I can promise you that you are never alone. Remember when I mentioned monsters at the beginning? Sometimes, those monsters will overtake you and tell you that you are not enough, that you are worthless, and they might even say you need to change yourself. Although, the biggest lie they tell you; is that you’re alone. You are never alone! Christ knows exactly how you feel in perfect detail. He went through all your trials and pains and while he was suffering he thought of you and your life while feeling nothing but the most sincere, pure form of love. When this monster in our head surrounds us, he is always reaching out his hand, however, it’s our choice whether we choose to take it or not. I can say with no doubts that I am a precious, worthy daughter of God with a divine purpose. I can promise that you, yes you, listening to or reading this were made in a perfect image. You have more worth than you can comprehend and you are loved. Take his hand and let him destroy your monsters. Though the rules and laws we have seem hard, at the end of the day, the laws he gives are blessings that lead us to live better lives. Always remember, Christ is your guide through your maze of monsters and if you put in the effort to hear Him, you will be blessed.

- Meagan VanderToolen, Age 14, 37th Ward

Serving Safe and Sound: He reaches for You

Art by: Eva Timothy

 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
2 Timothy 1:7

I love that scripture. In fact, that scripture and those promises have served me in the darkest, loneliest, and most fearful moments. I never knew for myself the feelings of debilitating anxiety and paralyzing depression until 5 years ago. It came into my life, and the lives of my own daughters, like a relentless runaway train that couldn't be stopped. For a significant amount of time, I was unrecognizable to much of my family and friends. I craved to escape the binding feelings that anxiety and depression brought. I craved to feel safe. To feel love. To feel peace. To feel like myself again.

As these feelings seemed to take over every part of me like an incurable virus, I began to disconnect from a life that I once was so deeply connected to. Not just here on earth, but also a divine disconnect with heaven.

Nevertheless...even with all my push back...slow, simple, repeated glimmers of His love started to break through my deprived soul. It came in all forms. And always through a friend who knew extending her hand to me, was really His. It was in those times of reaching out that I heard Him. I felt Him. I remembered the love He had for me.

The experiences of mental illness in women, young women, and families isn't just happening in my home, it is happening in most every home. Our hope is that through empowering "sound mind" service projects with Wasatch Mental Behavioral Health, Bountiful Pantry, and "Safe and Sound Stations" with daily inspirations from women of the stake, we will build courage to extend our hand of safety for Him to those who suffer mental illness.

Without a doubt, that is when the miracles come. We have the power to aid in these miracles within families, sisterhood, and in serving. He just needs us to reach out. I am so grateful to embark on this incredible cause together!!

We will see you on September 10th!! CANNOT WAIT!!

All my love,

Ashley Quist

Service Day Committee Co-Chair

Stake Day of Service: Serving Safe & Sound

 

Save the Date for 

Layton South Stake Day of Service: Serving Safe & Sound 

on Saturday, September 10th, 2022 from 9-11 am at the Stake Center 

(505 S 1000 W, Layton, UT 84041). 

Primary girls age 8 and up, Young Women, and Relief Society Sisters are all invited!

This year our focus is helping aid in mental illness within the stake and our community! Mental illness doesn’t just affect a few of us; it affects all of us in one way or another. And we look forward to learning more in how we can offer safety and sound minds to those who fight the fight everyday.

We will be partnering with Wasatch Behavioral Health by putting together anxiety/depression reducing projects and various activities. We will also be lending a hand to The Bountiful Food Pantry by putting together pantry packs to help feed school age children.

Be watching within your ward RS, YW, and Primary for signups to collect different items and also info on projects happening on our day of service, Sept. 10!

~Ashley Quist and Michelle Barnes

(Service Day Committee Chairs)