The Microneurosurgeon

Allow me to share the experience of a faithful member of the Church who occupies a prominent position among the world's microneurosurgeons.
This position he has obtained, according to his own testimony, with the help of the Lord and through obedience to the Word of Wisdom.
He joined the Church at an early age and promised himself to faithfully live the commandments.
As the years went by, he had the opportunity of fulfilling two of his great goals--the opportunity to pursue a university education and to marry the woman of his dreams.

During this period of time something happened that totally changed the course of his life.
One of his daughters became seriously ill with a brain disease which ultimately took her life.
None of the efforts made in her behalf were sufficient to save her.
During this frustrating and painful experience, which happened while he was a medical student at the university, he set a new and challenging goal, that of becoming a neurosurgeon.
The fact that his daughter had suffered and died through a brain disease awakened in him the desire to study microneurosurgery, schooling that would be long and difficult.

Microneurosurgery requires, among other things, a great deal of physical discipline and dexterity.
At this point in his life, while he was pursuing his studies, he discovered the blessings that come through obedience to the Word of Wisdom.
He asked the Lord in humility and love that the promises contained in section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants would be made manifest in him so he could bless the lives of those who would depend on his skill.

During those difficult learning years, he worked untiringly to become the best in his area of specialization.
As the years went by, he gained great dexterity in his hands and mastered the art and the skill necessary to work on the human brain.
As we can imagine, any physical slip or unsteadiness in his hands could cause damage to his patients, perhaps injuring them for life.

As he studied section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants, he obtained a strong testimony that when we refrain from taking into our bodies substances that are harmful to it, we are blessed with intelligence and a healthy and strong body.
As a doctor, he knew that these promises were there, within his reach, and he had earnestly sought them in his own behalf.

As the time arrived for his proficiency exam, the final exam in his chosen career, he prepared himself with great care in order to perform to his very best and to demonstrate to the examining doctors the skills he had acquired.
The day prior to the examination, he noticed some heavy trembling in his normally skillful hands, and in humility he prayed to the Lord, asking Him to make his hands firm and sure as they had always been to this point.
The following day, he discovered with great alarm that there were unsure movements in his hands.
He went off to a solitary spot and, in deep meditation, he mentally searched for any sin he may have committed that would cause him to experience this problem.
But in his search, he found nothing that might be contrary to the Word of Wisdom.
Then he thought: "I need these promises to come to me now," and he prayed to our Father in Heaven with all his heart that His guidance and protection would be with him.

The time came to perform brain surgery on his patient, and when the doctor saw his hands through the microscope, he noted with great emotion that his prayer had been heard and that his hands were steadier than they had ever been.

He felt a great surge of gratitude, and his sure and skillful hands flew in their activity, healing the damaged brain of his patient.
The blessings and the promises of the Word of Wisdom were with him, and he was able to carry out this difficult surgery in an hour less than the normal expectation.
It was a complete success, and he humbly accepted congratulations from the examining physicians.
With gratitude in his heart for the success he had achieved, he returned to his home, and there, with his family, he reviewed the promises of the Lord that "all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;

"And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;

"And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint."

-Ecuardo Ayala - The Word of Wisdom - 1990 October General Conference

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

The Dream

I only remember bits and pieces...cleaning up something and finding a bunch of small striped egg sacks that were hatching into hornets and that was a bad thing. I got injured in some sort of explosion in a green area...and I woke up with a bandaged arm...

-S.N.D