From a general conference talk to mulitstake conference addresses, President Jeffrey R. Holland has shared many powerful lessons he learned during his hospitalization last year. Recently, he shared a new social media video about a principle that he learned is key to healing—humility.
This principle doesn’t just apply to physical healing but also to healing the impact of less tangible wounds, such as broken dreams or relationships. He taught:
“When there’s a broken dream or a broken marriage, broken unity with the children in the family, well, there’s an answer to that. We can survive that. ….
“One of the reasons that it works is because we offer a sacrifice [to the Lord] that’s also broken. And ours is a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
“If we will be that humble—which is one of the lessons I thought I was being taught in my hospitalization—if we can be more humble, if we can be more like a child, if we can be more receptive to the spirit of the Lord, we’re going be healed, too.”
Because God has a plan for us, we shouldn’t feel confused or abandoned when we face challenges that seem to break us down.
“Things are broken regularly,” President Holland explained. “It takes broken clouds to nourish the earth. It takes broken earth to grow grain. It takes broken grain to make bread. It takes broken bread to feed us. These are the cycles of life.”
And while we can sometimes feel like a broken piece of precious china, damaged beyond repair, President Holland taught that this very brokenness is what allows us to give our hearts to God.
This humility opens the door to growth, and we can eventually receive our heart back “better than it was before.” President Holland testified:
“We’re going to be put back together. Marriages will and families will and financial challenges will. They’ll all be improved finally to perfection. And that’s what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers.
“Through the Savior’s atonement—through His sacrifice for us—our sacrifices, little as they are, … then take on real meaning. And a broken heart is given back to us. And we have the stature and the dignity and the faith and the purpose of someone who’s better than they knew they were, better than they thought things could be.”
When we are waiting for healing, we can also take comfort in knowing that we are never alone during our challenges. President Holland’s message has resonated with thousands across the world, many of whom shared their similar experiences and testimonies.
One Facebook commenter shared:
“Thank you so much for this beautiful explanation of broken things! It brings peace to my heart and reminds me that through my brokenness, I have learned to appreciate the gift of humility, a principle that has taught me to turn to my Savior in my despair and hopelessness. He has always been there for me with an over abundance of comfort and love to restore my spirit and heal my broken life.”
Another shared on Instagram:
“Thank you [President] Holland for your wisdom. Our hearts were broken when our 15-year-old daughter was diagnosed with cancer this year, and while we wished it had never happened, our lives will never be the same. And that’s OK. Sometimes only true heartbreak brings us to an understanding of what the Savior can really do in our lives. I’m so thankful I had a faith and relationship with my Savior to guide us through this time in our lives: it’s the greatest gift we could ever have.”
Watch the full video from President Holland below.
For other resources to help with life’s challenges, check out the articles below.
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▶ 5 practical helps for when your child steps away from church (from a parent who’s been there)
▶ One of the best antidotes to fear of the future
