Sheri Dew - Wendy Watson Nelson - The Savior Heals Without A Scar - 2007
Introduction
Sherry Dew and Wendy Watson Nelson express their privilege to address the audience, hoping the Spirit will guide their words and the listeners' understanding.
They pray that individuals will receive the guidance needed to heal their deepest scars through Jesus Christ.
They acknowledge the Spirit as the true teacher, capable of addressing personal questions and needs known to the Lord.
Listeners are encouraged to invite the Spirit to receive personalized teachings, even beyond what the speakers offer.
Wendy shares her experience working with individuals seeking change and reflects on the challenges of personal transformation.
The Concept of Change
Change can seem elusive and impossible, but the Atonement of Jesus Christ makes true transformation possible.
True change is visualized as turning a corner, where the past becomes unseen and irrelevant.
The focus should be on looking ahead rather than dwelling on past mistakes or harm caused.
Drawing from the story of Lot's wife, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not looking back, lest one become stagnant or stuck in the past. (pillar in the community)
Ways of Turning a Corner
Sometimes, change is forced upon individuals through sudden, life-altering events.
Examples of being broadsided by life include financial crises, job loss, betrayal, unexpected sins, relationship problems, and the death of loved ones.
These events can compel individuals to reevaluate and change their course.
Another scenario involves intending to change but repeatedly reverting to old behaviors.
This is described as a demoralizing cycle, likening it to the saying, "the dog returns to his vomit" (2 Peter 2).
Sincerity and Inaction
Some individuals express a desire for change but remain stagnant, waiting for an external sign or permission to proceed.
They may appear sincere and intent on changing, yet they fail to take decisive action.
However, the power of the Atonement enables individuals to overcome obstacles and initiate change.
The speaker shares an experience in Korea where a sign reading "Left Turn Unprotected" was interpreted as "Take your chances."
This illustrates how individuals may perceive change as risky or unsupported, leading to hesitation.
Hitting the Curb
The speaker recounts a personal experience of falling and injuring her face at an airport, highlighting the challenges encountered during times of needed change.
The incident occurred at the Rochester, New York Airport, early on a Sunday morning.
After the fall, Sherry prayed with power for the fear, pain, and bleeding to stop, which significantly improved the situation.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of not solely relying on external support (the arm of flesh) but seeking divine help.
Despite the presence of emergency responders, they were initially unable to provide adequate assistance, reinforcing the need for spiritual reliance.
Lessons Learned from the Accident
Sherry's prayer was focused on stopping the fear, pain and bleeding and asking what she could do to help Wendy.
The speaker learned that when helping someone in need, it's unnecessary to emphasize their mistakes or the extent of the damage they've caused.
A friend who was a nurse told Sherry that if she was there she might have shown Wendy how severe her wound was with a mirror.
Sherry's understated response helped to avoid causing more worry.
Despite the severity of the injury, the speaker felt at peace and trusted Sherry's judgment.
The speaker went to the hospital after Sherri understated the urgency of the situation and had the surgery.
Before the surgery Wendy was given a priesthood blessing by her former Bishop who happened to be there at the hospital.
During the surgery the doctor had to make the hole/cut bigger to remove dead tissue that would cause a scar.
After the surgery, another priesthood blessing promised complete healing without a scar.
A year later, the surgeon noted the speaker's unusually well healing, attributing it to the blessing and the power of the Savior.
Importance of being Prepared
The speaker emphasized the importance of spiritual preparedness to access divine power in times of need.
She contrasted Sherry's ability to pray with power with scenarios where individuals might be unprepared due to neglecting spiritual practices.
Quoting Hebrews 10:32, the speaker noted that turning a corner and doing the right thing doesn't mean the journey would be easy.
If anything the journey would be harder and one should believe that God is a God of Miracles and turn to him even more.
Quoting Gabriel in Daniel, the speaker noted that sometimes the Lord intervenes to bless us with skill and understanding.
She further testified of the Savior's power to heal completely, without leaving scars, both physically and spiritually.
The Power of Distillation
Using the metaphor of a nail in a board to represent sin, the speaker challenged the traditional view of repentance leaving lasting scars.
She testified that the Savior's healing power removes all traces of past wounds, leaving no scars behind.
The only marks the Savior wants us to remember are the nail marks in His hands and feet.
Because we are engraved on the palms of His hands, He can heal us without a scar.
The speaker encouraged listeners to draw closer to the Savior, attaching themselves to Him, to experience complete healing.
Changing to Head Upward
Sherry Dew expresses her joy to be with Wendy and echoes the earlier prayer for the Spirit's guidance and clarity.
She underscores that the purpose of attending meetings is to leave transformed, emphasizing the concept of eternal progression.
She acknowledges the inevitability of mistakes and setbacks but emphasizes the importance of continuous effort towards improvement.
The true value of meetings lies not in the speakers' words but in the personal promptings of the Spirit that lead to actionable change.
She urges listeners to consider the scars they or their loved ones carry—emotional, spiritual, physical, or mental—and to contemplate how the Savior's healing power can erase those scars.
Parable of the Street Lamp
Sherry recounts a personal experience of working late at a warehouse to fulfill Christmas orders due to understaffing because of high demand.
While driving to get treats for her colleagues, she hit an object in the road, disabling her car.
After a frustrating call with roadside assistance, a police officer arrived and helped her discover that she had hit a fallen street lamp.
The officer suggested backing up, which dislodged the street lamp and allowed her to drive again.
The first lesson of the parable is that when progress is halted, it's often due to a small obstacle.
These obstacles can manifest as grudges, refusal to accept apologies, neglect of worship, or being overwhelmed by daily commotion.
The solution is to "back up," which may involve repenting, starting over, seeking help, or changing behaviors.
Amulek: An Example of Spiritual Change
Backing up: A Favorite example of this principle is that of Amulek. Amulek, who was once a man of worldly prominence, stopped and changed by going forth with Alma preaching, teaching, and testifying.
He was an individual who got caught up in worldly things (riches and popularity), but he backed up and changed completely. No longer was he able to see what came before he changed.
Amulek endured persecution and imprisonment but was delivered by the power of the Lord, emerging unharmed while the prison collapsed around him.
We too can back up, change, and trust that the Savior can heal us in whatever we need to be healed.
Accessing Healing Thru the Savior
We can draw upon healing power by becoming more of a True Follower of Jesus Christ.
We should ask for Charity from our father. Not casseroles, but receiving more of the purity of Christ. Moroni 7:48 discusses this.
The Father gives gifts unto true followers of Jesus Christ (charity, knowledge, peace, hope, perfection, divine healing, etc).
If the gifts that we're desperate for - peace, charity, healing, hope - are just gifts from our Father, then it would behoove us to figure out what it means to be a true follower.
What scripture characteristics or qualities describe a true follower? (i.e., willing to walk away from the world)
The real question is who are we really listening too? God and his servants, or the world and its influences? We should always try to listen to the Lord from his servants over the world which constantly distorts the idea of manhood, womanhood, marriage, and childbirth.
The Law of the Lord Liberates, Satan Enslaves - God wants us to become like him.
A True Follower believes that Jesus is the Christ and is working hard to build faith in him and what he has promised us.
A True Follower is obedient and repents, it's the only way to become more pure.
A True Follower is a diligent seeker after the truth and avoids being half-learned.
Wendy once said that are problem is we know just enough to feel the guilt but not enough to feel the joy and the power of the Savior.
A True Follower desires to follow the Savior, just like Joseph Smith did despite the hardships he faced.
A True Follower seeks to become more pure, as discussed in Matthew 5:8
Final Thoughts
Final Thought: It's easier to follow with reservation than without. Remember, elder Holland said: those of this dispensation must be ready to present the church of lamb to the lamb.
Dew concludes by testifying of God's love, Jesus Christ's healing power, and the open heavens, urging listeners to commit to following them fully.
Kenny Hodges and Jana Erickson are thanked as recorders, editors, and executive producers.