An Instrument in the Hands of the Lord

I can be an instrument
In the hands of the Lord
And teach the gospel content
So to the heart it strikes a chord

For as we join together
We invite the Spirit in
For virtuous endeavor
And to feel God's love within

One day a young mother
Arrived late and sat alone
Deliberately to smother
Conversations she'd have to own

For she'd naught the words to express
The trouble in her mind
And that she was depressed
She was afraid someone would find

And in the middle of my talk
I felt impressed to stray
And round the room to walk
Lovingly her way

With my hands I did not touch
For I knew that she would melt
But a love from me so rushed
That I knew she too had felt

I never looked her way
For she continually looked down
But, I was given words to say
That I knew for her were bound

For something inside
Let me see what she needed
I am thankful for that guide
That whispered and I heeded

I am thankful I did fast
And pray to humbly submit
That my words might more cast
To strengthen who felt unfit

sorry my poem doesn't exactly follow
but the spirit of the article is there


"Teaching: An Entrance to the Heart,"
Fall 2004 Open House
Bonnie D. Parkin
Relief Society General President
Address given at the Fall 2004 Open House



Rely on the Spirit and Individual Lives Will Be Blessed

I love these words of the great prophet and teacher Alma: “The Lord did hear my cries, and did answer my prayers, and has made me an instrument in his hands in bringing so many of you to a knowledge of his truth.”14 An inspired teacher is an instrument in the Lord’s hands. Listen to this tender experience shared by one Relief Society sister:

“Years ago when I was a young mother and struggling with serious, prolonged postpartum depression, the Lord answered me through a simple sentence uttered by a Relief Society teacher.

“I was living far away from any family members. I felt so alone; I was afraid. I felt I was falling apart emotionally but was too embarrassed and proud to ask for assistance—and yet, I knew I needed help desperately! I felt strongly that if I attended Relief Society, help would be provided. I entered the Relief Society room late enough not to have to speak to anyone. My emotions were close to the surface; I knew I would burst into tears if anyone spoke to me. I sat in the last row, trying to look inconspicuous as I listened for an answer to my petitions to the Lord. As the teacher, Sister Bonnie Giddings, ended her lesson—I can’t even remember what the lesson topic was—one sentence stood out. It was my answer. She said, ‘You can never give up!’ That was the Lord’s message to me. As difficult and overwhelming as my personal struggles seemed at the moment, I could not give up!

“I wept openly. I knew Heavenly Father was aware of my plight. I knew He loved me. He had prompted Sister Giddings to provide me with the encouragement I needed to keep going. I knew I was not alone.”

Sisters, the story doesn’t end there! She continues:

“About 16 years later, now serving as a stake Relief Society president, I was preparing for a leadership meeting on effective teaching. All ward Relief Society teachers were invited to attend. I prayed earnestly to know what the Lord would have me say. What important message did He have for these women who had such an awesome responsibility?

“As a part of this meeting, we wanted to present each teacher with a list of positive comments from sisters in her ward regarding her efforts as a teacher. In the process of calling sisters in my own ward to get comments, I talked to a new sister in our ward. Her remarks astounded me.

“She said, ‘Something Bonnie Giddings said, just one sentence, made a big difference in my life. I can’t even remember what the lesson was about. It was a time when I was really unhappy in my marriage. She said, “A lot of what we need in life, we need to get for ourselves.” That one sentence stood out for me and changed my perspective.’ ”

Was it mere coincidence that one teacher giving lessons 16 years apart uttered the needed sentences which dramatically changed two lives? As I read this letter, I couldn’t help but think of the sons of Mosiah who “fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might be an instrument in the hands of God.”15 As teachers, in our preparation and presentation, when we rely on and are guided by the Spirit, we will be “instruments,” answering the silent prayers of individual sisters. Isn’t it wonderful that Heavenly Father can trust us enough to answer another’s prayers?