Today was an Historic and Special day for me. Before I tell you why, I must give some background.
A little over 2 years ago I was diagnosed with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. As a result of the disease, I have been told that the blood vessels in my lungs are becoming thick and are restricting the amount of oxygen that can pass into my blood, and the only cure is a heart-lung transplant. In the mean time I have been on full time Oxygen to increase the amount of oxygen available, as a hope to mitigate the problem. One of the symptoms of my disease is shortness of breath, especially when exerting any physical activity. As an example I could not climb even a short flight of stairs without nearly passing out. I would have to stop and pant to recover enough oxygen, even if I was currently using supplemental oxygen.
Fast forward to 6.5 months ago. I was asked to work as an Ordinance Worker in the St. George Temple. When I was set apart I was given a blessing of "health sufficient to the work". From that moment on I have not needed oxygen while working in the Temple. This miracle continued. I no longer need Oxygen as long as I am in St. George, Utah.
Fast forward to today. We were permitted to use the Assembly Room on the 4th Floor of the Temple for our Preparation Meeting today as all of the shifts are doing this week. Access to the 4th Floor entails climbing 5 flights of stairs. This is an historic event, because we are not normally permitted into the Assembly Room. Access is controlled by the First Presidency of the Church. It is kept just as it was constructed in 1877. It has no air conditioning, no lights, and no carpet. And yet, the spirit I felt there was phenomenal. Every living prophet except Joseph Smith has been in that room. We were able to feel the Spirit of the Lord very strongly. The miracle for me is that I was able to climb the stairs, at normal pace and without stopping to gasp for air, from the ground floor up 5 full flights of stairs. When I arrived at the 4th floor I was not out of breath at all.
I am grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord. I am grateful for the blessings I have received over my lifetime and particularly for those blessings I am experiencing today.
I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that he is in control of my circumstances. I know that He is the Son of the Living God. I know that he communicates his will to a living prophet who he has called and prepared to lead his covenant people. I know that Thomas S. Monson is that prophet today. I know that through the Prophet Joseph Smith the same authority given to Peter, James, and John of the New Testament, and to the prophets of old, was restored to the earth after generations of darkness. I know that many of my readers may have trouble understanding how this is possible. I welcome any comments you may have.
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