But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.
— Alma 32:27
I was in the midst of a struggle with anxiety and depression that began shortly after my second child was born. I had been promised in a powerful priesthood blessing that I would be healed. I tried to believe it, but each day was a struggle, and I didn't see how I could ever claim that promise. I wanted to be healed instantly, but that was not the Lord's will for me. I believed that God had the power to heal me. I had faith that He could do all things, but I didn't believe in my own ability to claim that promise.
One morning, feeling very discouraged and in need of extra strength, I asked my husband for a blessing. In the blessing he told me that if I only had the desire to believe in God's promise, it was enough. He counseled me to be diligent and increase my faith, and the healing would come. Immediately, Alma 32:27 came to my mind. I had read that scripture many times before, but at that moment it took on a whole new meaning for me. I did desire to believe, and the Lord told me then and there that it was enough.
From then on, I clung to that scripture, especially when things got tough and it seemed that I would never find my way out of the darkness and fear. Gradually, my faith grew stronger, as I nurtured and exercised it.
Now, more than a year later, I have more faith and hope than I've ever had. I can see that the healing is coming, slowly and surely. I have learned so much in the process — things that I could not have learned if I had been healed instantly. I know that the Lord is making me whole, just as He promised He would.
— Kendra Bullinger, Burlington, Wyo.
"Living by the Scriptures" is another in a series of Church News reader response articles. Was there a time when a particular scripture touched you, when it offered comfort, guidance and much-needed support? If so, please describe your experience in 250-300 words, giving the scripture reference and telling how it affected you. Send your submission to Church News, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110. Fax No. (801) 237-2524. Internet E-mail: