We had such an amazing experience last night. We met Michelle. She is a less active, and we got to know her and her two kids. She's a single mother and also served a mission. She opened up to us and explained why she doesn't go to church anymore. Her ex husband had an affair along with other issues, so she went to seek help from her bishop. She explained to us that her bishop actually started blaming her for her husband's affair and didn't believe her because her husband had a high leadership calling in the church. She was shocked and heartbroken and moved away. For 10 years, She continued meeting different bishops and leaders to seek guidance and help but they all either didn't help, didn't believe her, or saying it was her fault. She even showed them evidence but still, no one listened. Ever since she moved away from that area, she kept having a really hard time coming to church. She wouldn't be able to stay in sacrament meeting because of seeing all the nice "perfect" families around her and she also felt judged. There are many reasons but those were the biggest ones. I've actually heard a lot of stories like this and it breaks my heart. The whole time we could feel a huge hole in her heart, filled with sorrow & betrayal. She told us she knows the gospel is true, but she had lost faith in the church leaders. We then explained that before meeting her, Sister Toi and I were discussing what to share with her, and we felt impressed to share just 30 seconds of Dieter F Utchdorfs talk. We played it:
"It is the love of God that rescues, restores, and revives.
God knows you. You are His child. He loves you.
Even when you think that you are not lovable, He reaches out to you.
This very day—every day—He reaches out to you, desiring to heal you, to lift you up, and to replace the emptiness in your heart with an abiding joy. He desires to sweep away any darkness that clouds your life and fill it with the sacred and brilliant light of His unending glory."
Afterwards we were all in tears and crying. We testified that Heavenly Father had not forgotten her, and he loves her so much, he is here for her to literally sweep away any darkness.
We testified that the people in the church are far from perfect but this gospel and our savior is. The spirit was so strong. We don't think she'll come back to church anytime soon, but that's okay. Healing takes time, and I rejoice in our savior who has made it possible for broken hearts like hers to eventually feel whole again. I know that He lives and I know that our Prophet is called of God. He is a Leader that will never fail us (He is still human with weaknesses) but he will never lead us astray. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
P.s. General conference is coming up! I'm so excited!
Arohanui,
Sister Wihongi
