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Alice Gifford The YW Connection
(8/18/1999)
While on our honeymoon I became very
ill. I had a low grade fever and general flu-like systems. I felt so
miserable but I didn't want my husband to think he'd married a "dud' so
I tried my best to keep going until I just couldn't go any longer.
After three days I still didn't feel any better; we decided to start
driving back to home to Portland. We had plenty of time so we thought we
take the more scenic route and hopefully I'd start feeling better.
The morning we left I noticed a rash on my legs. As were driving I
noticed that the rash was becoming brighter. I also realized that my
fingers had turned also turned bright red - almost like I'd dipped my
hands into scalding water. I didn't want my husband to think I was a
complainer or melodramatic but I kept thinking we should stop and see a
doctor, but I didn't say anything. Also in the back of my mind I started
wondering about toxic shock syndrome. Unfortunately, Mother Nature's
timing had not been kind!
As we pulled into Redding California I still kept hearing a voice that
said, "go see someone" . I was feeling very light headed, and my hands
started to feel numb. I finally told my husband how terrible I was
feeling and he took me right into the hospital. During the examination
they discovered my blood pressure was very low and the red rash had
spread further up my legs and both hands were still bright red. After
running several tests they still couldn't figure out what was wrong.
Then a thought came again, "You have toxic shock syndrome". This was one
question I hadn't been asked. After all, we were on our honeymoon. I
think the staff was a little embarrassed because no one had even thought
to ask me that question -----and, a young woman, who suffered serious
complications, had just died in this same hospital a few days before.
I tested positive - and immediately was transferred to ICU where I was
carefully monitored and pumped full of antibiotics. When I was released
the warned me that my hands and feet would probably peel - which they
did. What a lovely way to start a marriage! (LOL) I felt like a molting
lizard.
Do we allow ourselves to become seriously "ill" before we seek help? Do
we ignore the symptoms of spiritual illness and procrastinate seeking
the appropriate help? Do we convince ourselves that we can
"self-medicate" and recover?
President Spencer W. Kimball said, "The longer repentance is pushed into
the background, the more exquisite will be the punishment when it
finally comes....If men would only let their sins trouble them early,
when the sins are small and few, how much anguish would be saved them."
(Miracle of Forgiveness")
After Alma finishes talking to the Zormanites who are finally wondering,
"should we seek help, and who and where do we go for help?". There are
many "doctors" out here to choose from. Amulek, who knows they have been
taught and instructed, finds it very difficult to believe that they
could not know "where and to whom to turn to". He counsels them, and
testifies to them that he also knows where they must go to seek relief.
Jesus Christ is the only true physician, Jesus Christ and only through
his atonement can we be made whole again. Amulek gives them instruction
along with a prescription. He also explains that all that is required of
them is their "co-payment". Christ has already paid the majority of the
bill.
However, this prescription is only good for a certain period of time. If
they procrastinate and do not follow the instructions before the
expiration date, they will be held responsible for entire bill.
"And he that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which
he has received, for my spirit shall not always strive with man...."
(D&C l:33)
This seems to be the condition that Alma and Amulek find with this group
of Zormanites. Are we taking a chance with our spiritual well being? The
Lord calls to us, "Repent ye, repent ye; why will ye perish?". He is
willing to "heal" us if we will only seek His help. Alma gives us a
glimpse of what we can expect if we do not seek out the Lord and accept
His healing hands. "the very thought of coming into the presence of my
God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror. Oh, thought I, that I
could be banished and become extinct both soul and body, that I might
not be brought to stand in the presence of my God, to be judged of my
deeds". (Alma 36:l4-15 )
One of the greatest blessings of the gospel is the gift of atonement and
the opportunity we have to repent of our sins and come again into the
presence of our Father in Heaven. "This life is the time for men to
prepare to meet God;" ....I beseech of you that you do not procrastinate
the day of your repentance until the end, for after this day of life,
which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve
our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein
there can be no labor preformed." (Alma 34:32 -33)
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