Better to look UP

Sunday I taught the lesson in Relief Society. I was asked a few weeks ago to teach for someone who would be out of town. This lesson was on a conference talk by Elder Carl B. Cook "It's better to look up". This talk was one of my favorites from conference!

Elder Cook shares an experience that he had when he was new to his calling. President Monson entered the elevator where Elder Cook was looking down. Pres. Monson asked him what he was looking at....when he responded that he was looking at nothing... President Monson said "It is better to look up." This phrase is so very important. Throughout everything that we do, whenever we are feeling down or overwhelmed, all we need to do is look up.

Look up to our Father in Heaven for strength and comfort. Just as the children of Israel were bitten by the serpents, all they had to do to be healed was to look up....just the same for us...We need to look to our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ for redemption and salvation.

Elder Cook shared an experience that he and his wife had while in South Africa. At the Stake Relief Society meeting there, the stake RS President had everyone go outside. There they had a balloon that represented whatever burden, trial or hardship that was holding them back in their lives. On the count of three, they released them. What a relief it is to finally let our burdens go, just as those balloons.

We can have that in our lives always. The atonement makes these blessings possible, to not ever have to be held back by any burden or trial. We can rely fully on the atonement for comfort, forgiveness, salvation and happiness. As we remember our Savior and turn to Him, we will feel His love for us and be strengthened and bouyed up through all of our trials. I am so very grateful for the Savior in my life. For His atoning sacrifice in my behalf and for His constant love for me, even in my weakness. His love is infinite!