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Many will probably remember the General Conference talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in 2013 entitled Like a Broken Vessel, in which he shared about a season of his life where he had experienced depression. In a new video from Mormon Channel he continues to explore the topic and gives a message of hope to those who struggle.
The video was recently posted on Elder Holland’s Facebook page with the following message:
Three years ago, I felt impressed to speak at general conference about the painful, life-altering condition of depression that affects so many.
We came to earth to face issues of mortality in the form of trials, temptations, disease, and death. It is essential for us to face personal struggles because opposition is a crucial part of Father’s plan. I suppose everybody will have some kind of an experience where they say, “I’m never going to be happy again.”
Well, we are going to be happy again. That is also a part of the plan. It’s the very nature of it. Hang on and hope. Never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend. Never, ever doubt His love for you. Hold fast to the Atonement. Believe in miracles. When you’ve done all you can do, endure to the end. And remember, hope is never lost.
Broken minds can be healed just the way broken bones and broken hearts are healed. While God is at work making those repairs, the rest of us can help by being merciful, nonjudgmental, and kind.
The video includes raw, emotional firsthand accounts of various people who have struggled with depression and reminds us all that this can be overcome.
Kathleen ChinJune 24, 2016
Bless you, Elder Holland! To all of the individuals in this video who had the spiritual strength and emotional courage to share their struggles, apply their faith, and identify their source of "Hope," thank you! You have, and will, bless many lives!
JanetJune 23, 2016
I am grateful for this and hope it is the beginning of more Church resources devoted to mental illness, especially the more serious ones. I do have some questions regarding these illnesses. Does the Church have any doctrine regarding the eternal disposition of the marriages that were dissolved by divorce in this life because of the mental illness of one of the spouses? I have several friends facing this situation. I realize some will forgive and wish to be back with the divorced spouse, but most remarried and some had children with subsequent spouses. How does the Lord view these families? Do they automatically lose the rights to their children because of the terrible behavior caused by their mental illnesses? Are the spouses expected to tolerate the rages and promiscuity that accompanies some mental illnesses? Elder Holland speaks of hope, but what exactly are they to hope for in the gospel plan?