It was not what I was looking for,
if there were anything I had in mind. I
sometimes like a quick walk through a book aisle at Deseret Industries thrift
store to spot a rare copy of Nauvoo
Panorama, if not for the exercise.
Small books attract me, as we are trying to lighten our load. (So why do I keep acquiring? she asks.) One I found two weeks ago caught my attention
with a price I could afford – $.50, which is extraordinary in a DI book
department. I also serendipitously bought a 50-cent video
tape about the beautiful Nauvoo, Illinois; but I digress. Circumstances yesterday prompted me to start
reading (in the middle of) the paperback: To
Draw Closer to God – a Collection of Discourses by Henry B. Eyring ©1997,
Deseret Book, SLC.
Titled
in gold on a dark olive-green cover, and having a fresh smell inside (although musty
can be nostalgic for me), the book came with a personal touch, which I like to
count as added value: a laminated bookmark from the “6th Ward Bishopric /
Bishop Clark, Bro. Cox, Bro. Andersen”. Black
and red on ivory, it had a design like the 1930’s, presumably retro, including
a favorite scripture: “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; …” Season’s greetings followed: “With warm
Christmas wishes and our hearts full of love towards you, we pray the coming
year will find you closer to God. As did
Wise Men anciently, may you also seek Him that He may always be near.” One would assume it was given with the book,
as the same scripture (D&C 88:63) was printed on the back cover. The bookmark was left in the middle of
Chapter 12 (of 15): “Helping a Student in a Moment of Doubt”, as if the
previous owner almost finished reading (or re-reading) the 200-page book
(including Index.)
The
part I randomly turned to first was Chapter 7: “Trials of Faith” (by chance?) I have heard there is no such thing as
coincidence –
maybe true. I am certain that God knows
our needs, and helps man search for happiness.
My standard bookmark, a used envelope I can write notes on, ended up on
page 86 with this quote by Elder Eyring:
“When
you’re experiencing a severe trial, ask yourself this question: ‘Am I trying to
do what the Lord would have me do?’
… I bear you my testimony that
the Lord will always prepare a way for you to escape from the trials you will
be given if you understand two things. One
is that you need to be on the Lord’s errand.
The second … is that the escape will almost never be out of the trial; it will usually be through it.” So pray for deliverance accordingly.
Recalling
a few of our trials, I know I can get more
than my 50-cents worth by following the advice – priceless!
