This story did not sit completely well with me. I do believe that prayers can influence good outcomes. This is scriptural. Think: Alma's prayers for his son that were granted. I also believe that all prayers are subject to the will and timing of God. Many people with great faith will pray and pray, and those prayers will not be answered in this life. Had this story not had the positive outcome that it did, it likely would not be a story.
Doug WrightJuly 8, 2019
I know this amazing family well, their father is the branch president in my branch in rural south Alabama. You can tell the entire family puts the lord first like Whitney mentioned. Can’t wsit to see the twins.?
Tamra KriserJuly 8, 2019
As the mother of Whitney and Heidi, I am also aware of the years of prior prayers and fasting for the blessing of Whitney in finding her eternal companion. These were blessings we all desired for her to have, and yet, for reasons and timing the Lord only knew, they were years she needed to faithfully wait. I thought Elder Dale G. Renlund did a great job in expressing and explaining this in his talk, "Abound with Blessings," this past April. His whole talk was dedicated to this subject--the need for our faith, prayers, and actions, but also the trust in the timing of our Heavenly Father. Even though there had been many prior prayers and fasting, Heidi's heart was moved with deep desires for her sister to receive this blessing, and she earnestly sought these blessings for her. Were all the prior prayers and faith in vain? Certainly not, but only added upon as the Lord's timing neared and Heidi was moved upon and then acted to help bring about this blessing and miracle for her sister.
Neva BordenJuly 7, 2019
Heidi & Whitney's Grandparents went on a mission to Siberia with a prayer in their hearts that their older daughter would find the right man for her, marry and move forward with her life. This happened..... Therefore, my husband and I went on a mission to the SL Inner City with a prayer in our hearts that our older son would find the right woman for him, marry and move forward with his life. This also happened.... Heidi knew these stories. She knew the service part of these prayers. President Monson often said, "When we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's blessings." Thanks be to God.
Teresa FlegalJuly 5, 2019
I never heard the whole story. What a miracle. Heidi, what a great sister to pray so hard for WHITNEY. Loved hearing this story.
Lina HatchJuly 5, 2019
Thank you for including this beautiful story of my two nieces. What a sweet surprise to read it in Meridian! Heidi is also now wed. Blessings to Heidi, Whitney & Mark!
Jan KingJuly 5, 2019
Further evidence that Heavenly Father delights in the details of our lives.
Name WithheldJuly 5, 2019
I’ve been praying for this to happen with my daughter now for over 10 years. She is 32 and remains single. I do not understand the Lord’s timing or how this will all work out. When you pray for righteous things to happen for your family, and they don’t, it is hard. I continue to hold onto my faith and fast for her. I’m happy for this family.
Diana ChaseJuly 5, 2019
Wonderful story!! So happy for them. But, what about all those other single sisters that have been praying, fasting and waiting for their answers or blessings about marriage? Why is the Lord so silent for these righteous sisters? I know, everyone has their own journey and plan but, sometimes you have to wonder why?
AlexanderJuly 5, 2019
The romantic part of me says: "marvellous!"
However, I know RM who are still waiting for a spouse.
Esmeralda AmosJuly 5, 2019
Loved this story!!!
Doris WilliamsJuly 5, 2019
Thank you so much for sharing this story with us, Michaela. It's just a fact that miracle after miracle occurs when we are trying to follow the Savior. It's so wonderful to share in Whitney and Mark's joy in the gospel and their growing family and Heidi just has to glow, for having played such an important part in their union. I wish the best for their whole family.
LawrenceJuly 5, 2019
AUSGEZEICHNET!!!
Renate MartinJuly 5, 2019
This is a beautiful spiritual story. And also proof miracles still do happen.
JulesJuly 5, 2019
It's a great story and I'm glad it worked out for them. But I think we need to be careful about implying that because she prayed so well, that God granted her wish. I literally fasted and prayed for years to meet someone and it was still many more years before I found my husband. And I have friends who are returned missionaries and are very righteous and pray really hard and specifically amstill haven't found someone to get married to. Marriage is not a blessing given to people when they are righteous enough or when they pray hard enough or deserve it enough because it's they've worked hard enough. The concept of prosperity gospel (aka that if you are righteous enough, only good things will happen to you) is something in our church culture rhetoric that needs to go away. Righteous people don't always get what they pray for, and sometimes have things not work out for them all neat and tidy.
Comments | Return to Story
AnonJuly 12, 2019
This story did not sit completely well with me. I do believe that prayers can influence good outcomes. This is scriptural. Think: Alma's prayers for his son that were granted. I also believe that all prayers are subject to the will and timing of God. Many people with great faith will pray and pray, and those prayers will not be answered in this life. Had this story not had the positive outcome that it did, it likely would not be a story.
Doug WrightJuly 8, 2019
I know this amazing family well, their father is the branch president in my branch in rural south Alabama. You can tell the entire family puts the lord first like Whitney mentioned. Can’t wsit to see the twins.?
Tamra KriserJuly 8, 2019
As the mother of Whitney and Heidi, I am also aware of the years of prior prayers and fasting for the blessing of Whitney in finding her eternal companion. These were blessings we all desired for her to have, and yet, for reasons and timing the Lord only knew, they were years she needed to faithfully wait. I thought Elder Dale G. Renlund did a great job in expressing and explaining this in his talk, "Abound with Blessings," this past April. His whole talk was dedicated to this subject--the need for our faith, prayers, and actions, but also the trust in the timing of our Heavenly Father. Even though there had been many prior prayers and fasting, Heidi's heart was moved with deep desires for her sister to receive this blessing, and she earnestly sought these blessings for her. Were all the prior prayers and faith in vain? Certainly not, but only added upon as the Lord's timing neared and Heidi was moved upon and then acted to help bring about this blessing and miracle for her sister.
Neva BordenJuly 7, 2019
Heidi & Whitney's Grandparents went on a mission to Siberia with a prayer in their hearts that their older daughter would find the right man for her, marry and move forward with her life. This happened..... Therefore, my husband and I went on a mission to the SL Inner City with a prayer in our hearts that our older son would find the right woman for him, marry and move forward with his life. This also happened.... Heidi knew these stories. She knew the service part of these prayers. President Monson often said, "When we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's blessings." Thanks be to God.
Teresa FlegalJuly 5, 2019
I never heard the whole story. What a miracle. Heidi, what a great sister to pray so hard for WHITNEY. Loved hearing this story.
Lina HatchJuly 5, 2019
Thank you for including this beautiful story of my two nieces. What a sweet surprise to read it in Meridian! Heidi is also now wed. Blessings to Heidi, Whitney & Mark!
Jan KingJuly 5, 2019
Further evidence that Heavenly Father delights in the details of our lives.
Name WithheldJuly 5, 2019
I’ve been praying for this to happen with my daughter now for over 10 years. She is 32 and remains single. I do not understand the Lord’s timing or how this will all work out. When you pray for righteous things to happen for your family, and they don’t, it is hard. I continue to hold onto my faith and fast for her. I’m happy for this family.
Diana ChaseJuly 5, 2019
Wonderful story!! So happy for them. But, what about all those other single sisters that have been praying, fasting and waiting for their answers or blessings about marriage? Why is the Lord so silent for these righteous sisters? I know, everyone has their own journey and plan but, sometimes you have to wonder why?
AlexanderJuly 5, 2019
The romantic part of me says: "marvellous!" However, I know RM who are still waiting for a spouse.
Esmeralda AmosJuly 5, 2019
Loved this story!!!
Doris WilliamsJuly 5, 2019
Thank you so much for sharing this story with us, Michaela. It's just a fact that miracle after miracle occurs when we are trying to follow the Savior. It's so wonderful to share in Whitney and Mark's joy in the gospel and their growing family and Heidi just has to glow, for having played such an important part in their union. I wish the best for their whole family.
LawrenceJuly 5, 2019
AUSGEZEICHNET!!!
Renate MartinJuly 5, 2019
This is a beautiful spiritual story. And also proof miracles still do happen.
JulesJuly 5, 2019
It's a great story and I'm glad it worked out for them. But I think we need to be careful about implying that because she prayed so well, that God granted her wish. I literally fasted and prayed for years to meet someone and it was still many more years before I found my husband. And I have friends who are returned missionaries and are very righteous and pray really hard and specifically amstill haven't found someone to get married to. Marriage is not a blessing given to people when they are righteous enough or when they pray hard enough or deserve it enough because it's they've worked hard enough. The concept of prosperity gospel (aka that if you are righteous enough, only good things will happen to you) is something in our church culture rhetoric that needs to go away. Righteous people don't always get what they pray for, and sometimes have things not work out for them all neat and tidy.
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