This is an informative video about depression. The video is based on a 55-minute talk by Carrie Wrigley from the 2005 BYU Education Week.
We encourage you to view it, rate it, and share it with your friends and family. The popularity and success of this video may determine how many other videos like this are created from sources like talks at BYU Education Week.
The full talk, Christ-Centered Healing from Depression and Low Self-Worth is available in video and mp3 format from BYU Broadcasting. A transcript of the full talk is available from Morning Light Counseling.
Analogies dealing with physical healing are difficult for me. I’ve known too many people who are blind, maimed, or halt, who are incredibly faithful notwithstanding the scriptural injunction that we exercise faith to be healed. And in light of such, no one would dare convey the idea that Christ will heal the physically disabled completely–in this life–if they continue faithfully. So I think it should be for most who deal with depression. That we may learn to manage it is one thing but to be healed completely from it quite another; a notion that ought to be considered exceptional in the extreme.
If I understand you correctly you are saying that “miracles have ceased among the children of men”. If that is (in fact) what you are saying I would suggest you are “correct” according to the light and knowledge you currently have. However, I stand as another witness that we can be healed (completely) IF WE HAVE SUFFICIENT FAITH. The scriptures are not some sick analogy when they refer to healing (no pun intended). Remember it is easy to proclaim to have faith, it is another thing to actually have it in our heart. The examples are as exhaustive as you want to make. What doubt occupies, faith cannot exist, nor co-exist. I would suggest reading the four gospels (in prayer) again until new faith is obtained.
Even assuming that persons who are ill, remain ill only because they do not have sufficient faith, we are exhorted to treat them with love and compassion:
Doctrine & Covenants 42:43 —
And whosoever among you are sick, and have not faith to be healed, but believe, shall be nourished with all tenderness, with herbs and mild food, and that not by the hand of an enemy.
Doctrine & Covenants 42:48-52 —
And again, it shall come to pass that he that hath faith in me to be healed, and is not appointed unto death, shall be healed.
He who hath faith to see shall see.
He who hath faith to hear shall hear.
The lame who hath faith to leap shall leap.
And they who have not faith to do these things, but believe in me, have power to become my sons; and inasmuch as they break not my laws thou shalt bear their infirmities.
Andrew: Your implication is that people who aren’t healed don’t have sufficient faith; “if you’re still suffering from ______ [fill in the blank], it’s because you’re not faithful enough.” That is simply false and grossly offensive.
There are many people who suffer from physical, mental, and emotional difficulties who never manage to overcome them, despite faith, personal devotion, prayer, fasting, and priesthood blessings. As Carrie Wrigley mentioned in the video, there are many for whom the best they can hope is to be “visited in their afflictions.”
Even the apostle Paul had some sort of physical, emotional, or spiritual disability that he called his “thorn in the flesh,” one that he prayed three times to have the Lord take it away, only to be told “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:5–10).
There is a pervasive belief among many in the Church that mental illness is a sham, that medication is not necessary, and that more faith and prayer is the only proper solution. Comments like yours can easily be misconstrued to be supportive of such false hopes.
Speaking to potential missionaries, Elder Richard G. Scott said:
“Missionary work is extremely demanding. If you have emotional challenges that can be stabilized to meet the rigors of a full-time mission, you can be called. It is vital that you continue to use your medication during your mission or until competent medical authority counsels otherwise. Recognize that emotional and physical challenges are alike. One needs to do all that is possible to improve the situation, then learn to live within the remaining bounds. God uses challenges that we may grow by conquering them.” (General Conference, October 2003.)
Andrew,
Both Matthew and Mike echo my sentiments on the deepest levels. But just to add: I’ve experienced miraculous (physical) healing on more than one occasion–and yet my present ailments seem to linger. Now perhaps I don’t have as much faith this time around. But even so, if I must wait until the resurrection to be cleansed of my psychological illness it will have been worth it because of all that I’ve learned–and will yet learn, no doubt–in wrestling with it.
What a great video! My husband suffered a spinal cord injury a few years ago as a result of an illness. He was blessed by a faithful priesthood brother that he would heal completely but that it would be a long, hard road. At the time, he was gravely ill and completely paralyzed. This good man wrestled with the Lord over whether or not he was blessing him with that which the Lord wanted him to or if it was “wishful thinking” on behalf of a friend. His recovery was miraculous and swift and baffled the doctors. Three years later, he still suffers minor effects from his illness. Rather than dwelling on the fact that his legs will never completely feel right again as well as other minor issues and being angry and bitter that he wasn’t “completely healed”, he has been grateful for the nearly complete healing. He is 100% able to function with only minor inconveniences. We call it his “new normal”. Complete healing according to OUR definition may never come, but we believe that complete healing according to the Lord’s definition DID. He is able to do all the things he could before his illness. Sometimes we need to work with what the Lord gives us and have faith in His plan for us even though it’s not what WE wanted.
8 years ago I hit rock bottom. My life was completely falling apart at the age of 24. I suffered from: extreme anxiety, depression, addictions, my marriage was falling apart, I had lost my relationship with my parents, siblings and extended family, I had severe control issues, I found myself lying to myself and to others, I spoke and thought only negative words, I had intense neck and back pain, my left side of my face and left arm became numb, I had hidden anger boiling up inside me, I began hearing voices and hallucinating, I had intense nightmares, I had major credit card debt, I had no love for myself, I had no connection with God, no joy, no peace, no happiness, my life was complete utter chaos. 8 years ago when I was ready to end it all, I stumbled onto something that changed my life forever. What I stumbled on gave me the courage and strength and determination to take the next steps forward and begin to blossom out of the dark valley I was living in. It wasn’t the easiest journey but it was entirely worth it. I am happy to say that I have healed completely naturally from the entire list above. I never received medical help, prescription drugs, rehab, professional counseling or any other sort of thing you might be thinking of to heal. You can learn more about my amazing healing journey by visiting my blog/website http://www.myjourneytohealing.com My deepest desire is the help and encourage others who are suffering, so they too can enjoy a life of peace and stillness. Keep pressing forward…never giving up!!!
Be love & Give love
In Christ,
~abby
Thanks for this. I think depression is such a mishandled condition. I was excited to hear about the holistic lds living conference, because I really believe all depression can be healed through our faith adn natural methods. Mine was.