Bruised - but Not Broken

Bruised – but Not Broken

President Quinn’s Weekly Message

California Santa Rosa Mission

October 28th, 2024

 Earlier today we received wonderful news that our grandson, Mark Andersen, made his junior varsity basketball team. Mark lives in Proper, Texas. He is a sophomore in high school. This news was particularly joyful because earlier this fall Mark did not make the first cut for his high school basketball team. The school holds two tryouts, one in the early fall and a second in late fall to allow football players, at the end of their season, to try out for the team. Rarely does someone who is cut in the first tryouts, make it on the team in the second tryouts.

When Mark did not make the cut in the first tryout, he was devastated. Not only did he not make the team, but two of his close friends who play on his summer AAU team made the junior varsity team. Our entire family felt bad for Mark. Playing on his high school team is something Mark has worked years to accomplish

A few days after Mark was cut from the team, he was asked to teach the lesson in his priest quorum. Mark selected a scripture found in Alma 57:25 that describes the condition of the stripling warriors following one of their battles:

“And it came to pass that there were two hundred, out of my two thousand and sixty, who had fainted because of the loss of blood; …yea, and neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds.”

Mark shared with his quorum that life presents everyone with challenges and disappointments. He had just passed through one that week that left him emotionally bruised. Mark taught his quorum members no one goes through life without being bruised or wounded in some way. He taught them that when inevitable setbacks occur in life, they need to keep fighting.

Mark went back to work. He knew he had one more opportunity to make the team. He worked hard to take advantage of it. Mark signed up for seminary in the evenings so he could practice basketball in the mornings before school with his brother-in-law, Ken. He also practiced after school for an hour or two before doing his homework and attending seminary.

We can all learn something from Mark’s experience – and that of the stripling warriors. Like the stripling warriors, we are engaged in a war for the souls of others. The adversary is fighting us fulltime. He does everything in his power to frustrate and discourage us in this work. When these disappointments and challenges arise, we need to remember the Lord’s promise:

“Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15)

I testify the Lord stands and fights with us in our battles. He has called us to His work. I testify that nothing will stop or conquer this work. It is our great privilege to assist the Lord in gathering latter-day Israel. When times of discouragement come, and they will in missionary work, remember who stands at your side and at the head of this great work. I know and promise the Lord heals and comforts his disciples who remain faithful and trust Him.

We continue to make good progress towards our mission goal. We had 3 baptisms this weekend. That makes for a total of 13 since the challenge was issued. We still have work to do.

Sister Quinn and I look forward to being with you this week in zone conference. We love being with you in person. See you soon.

Love,

President Quinn

(630) 881-4030