In a ground-breaking new video posted on his Facebook page today, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles directly addresses depression and mental illness. The video expands upon Holland’s talk from the October 2013 General Conference, “Like a Broken Vessel.” and also features members of the church who struggle with mental illness. It’s honest, emotional, and incredibly hopeful, and we think it’s something you need to see.
In his Facebook post, Elder Holland wrote:
“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.”
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One response to “Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Releases Raw, Powerful New Video on Depression”
I like where he talks about hope with a capital “H”…real Hope. Doctrinal Hope for healing.
This reminds me of 1 Peter 2:20 – ““For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye DO WELL, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God” [Emphasis mine]
Back when the world was younger, as a teenager, (16 soon to turn 17) I was having a complicated day. Quit high school because of wanting to maintain my standards (although not yet a member) I was working as a lumber jack in Northern Canada in the bitter cold.
Snowstorm filled the branches of trees with snow, snow dumped on me, I got soaked started walking five miles to town at the end of the day, fell through the ice of the river.
Extracted myself. (Perhaps came out more quickly than I went in because COLD!)
Came out the mouth of the river to the frozen lake to be greeted by a blinding white out blizzard. I could not see 10 feet in front of me. I was sick. Weak with pneumonia, miles to walk through deepening snowdrifts, wolves are in the neighborhood and I can’t see the town. I needed medical attention and I could miss the town all together.
I only had ONE chance at this…because there was NO physical capacity for second try. I either succeeded or I would die.
VERY easy to get turned around and confused walking in a blinding blizzard.
So…my day had pretty much gone from bad to worse and downhill from there.
I prayed until I had capital “H” Hope. Then Heavenly Father guided my targeting efforts and I started walking.
The truths I clung to: HOPE, Faith, Love, Trust…and being blessed to enhance my endurance.
The ordeal took HOURS…doubt and fear along with rattling-chattering teeth and my pneumonia and the resulting clouded thinking attempted to sidetrack and confuse me.
I forced my mind to ignore the other voices and focus back on the truths. HOPE, Faith, Love, Trust in Heavenly Father.
I checked my fast-filling tracks and my path was straight. And I lived. And I healed.
And around a year later, Heavenly Father led me to the gospel. No missionaries found me, and I didn’t no any members…
But I did know how to listen and not be deceived.