Back To Life

Perseverance is demonstrated by those who keep going when the going gets tough, who don't give up eve when others say, "It can't be done."
In 1864 the First Presidency assigned Apostles Ezra T. Benson and Lorenzo Snow, along with Elders Alma Smith and William W. Cluff, on a mission to the Hawaiian Islands.
From Honolulu they took passage on a small boat to the little harbor of Lahaina.
As they approached the reef, the surf was running high and a heavy swell struck the boat, carrying it about 50 yards and leaving it in a trough between two huge waves.
When the second swell struck, the boat capsized into the foaming sea.

The people on the shore manned a lifeboat and picked up three of the brethren, who were swimming near the submerged boat.
But there was no sign of Brother Snow.
Hawaiians accustomed to the surf swam in every direction to search for him.
Eventually one of them felt something in the water, and they pulled Brother Snow to the surface.
His body was stiff, and he looked like he was dead as they hauled him into the boat.

Elder Smith and Elder Cluff laid Brother Snow's body across their laps and quietly administered to him, asking the Lord to spare his life that he might return to his family and home.
When they reached the shore, they carried Brother Snow to some large empty barrels lying on the beach.
Laying him face downwards on one of them, they rolled him back and forth the expel the water he had swallowed.

After the elders worked over him for some time, without any indication of life, the bystanders said that nothing more could be done for him.
But the determined elders would not give up.
So they prayed again, with the quiet assurance that the Lord would hear and answer their prayers.

They were impressed to do something rather unusual for that day and time.
One of them placed his mouth over Brother Snow's in an effort to inflate his lungs, alternately blowing in and drawing out air, imitating the natural process of breathing.
Taking turns, they persevered until they  succeeded in inflating his lungs.
A little while later they perceived faint indications of returning life.
"A slight wink of the eye, which, until then, had been open and death-like, and a very faint rattle in the throat, were the first symptoms of returning vitality.
These grew more and more distinct until consciousness was fully restored."
With their perseverance and the smile of merciful Providence, all four of the Lord's servants survived and were able to complete their missions.

Elder Snow wen ton to become the President of the Church.
While serving in that office, he stabilized the Church's funds by urging the members to pay their tithes and offerings.

You brethren will be interested to know that the Alma Smith in this story was the boy who was shot in the hip at Haun's Mill, destroying the hip joint and socket.
His mother dressed the terrible wound with some balsam and then was inspired to have him like on his face for five weeks.
A flexible gristle grew in place of the missing joint and socket so that he was able not only to live a normal life but also to serve a mission to Hawaii and give a lifetime of service to the Church.

-James E. Faust -Perseverance -April 2005 General Conference

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

-Sarnic Dirchi