Numerous blessings

Monday morning I woke up early to work on homework before my 8am class. After a go at it I decided to distract myself by looking at the latest news on drudgereport.com. Two major headlines hit me hard. The first one I saw referred to the earthquake in China and said "Death toll to 9,000. " The second referred to the cyclones of last week, "Burma deaths 'could top a million.'" The worst part for me wasn't the natural disasters, but that the Burmese government wasn't allowing a lot of aid into the country. The majority of the deaths could have been prevented with aid, but the government's slow reaction insured disease would take a stronger toll on those within the cyclone's destructive path.

Upon seeing these headlines tears unexpectedly welled up in my eyes and I quickly got down on my knees to thank the Lord for the countless blessings I have. (My calculus exam I had been stressing about suddenly seemed so insignificant). I also prayed with more fervor than I remember ever doing that those who may be suffering may be comforted and helped.

I hope that I can maintain with me the perspective that I gained that morning. I know that I have more blessings than I deserve. I should always be grateful for them and do whatever I can, through prayer and through actions, to help those in need.

"Perilous times? Yes. These are perilous times. But the human race has lived in peril from the time before the earth was created. Somehow, through all of the darkness, there has been a faint but beautiful light. And now with added luster it shines upon the world. It carries with it God’s plan of happiness for His children. It carries with it the great and unfathomable wonders of the Atonement of the Redeemer."
-President Gordon B. Hinckley

Also look at Elder Ballard's talk, "The Joy of Hope Fulfilled."