Beauty for Ashes
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Of the Seventy
Elder Dale G. Renlund
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in the Primary General Presidency “One of the blessings of the Atonement is that we can receive of the Savior’s succoring powers. Isaiah spoke repeatedly of the Lord’s healing, calming influence. He testified that the Savior was ‘a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat’ (Isaiah 25:4). As to those who sorrow, Isaiah declared that the Savior possessed the power to ‘comfort all that mourn’ (Isaiah 61:2), and ‘wipe away tears from off all faces’ (Isaiah 25:8; see also Revelation 7:17); ‘revive the spirit of the humble’ (Isaiah 57:15); and ‘bind up the brokenhearted’ (Isaiah 61:1; see also Luke 4:18; Psalm 147:3). So expansive was his succoring power that he could exchange ‘beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness’ (Isaiah 61:3). “Oh, what hope soars in those promises! … His spirit heals; it refines; it comforts; it breathes new life into hopeless hearts. It has the power to transform all that is ugly and vicious and worthless in life to something of supreme and glorious splendor. He has the power to convert the ashes of mortality to the beauties of eternity.” I testify that Jesus Christ is our loving Savior, our Redeemer, the Master Healer, and our faithful friend. If we turn to Him, He will heal us and make us whole again. I testify this is His Church and He is preparing to return once again to reign with power and glory on this earth.
Sister Cristina B. Franco
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The people of Maui are still rebuilding from the deadly wildfires that swept through the area five months ago. Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was in Maui on February 10 and 11, 2024, to share a message of hope and love. “Good things come from Jesus Christ,” the Apostle told Latter-day Saints. “I pray He will turn ashes to beauty for you. I know the Lord loves you. I know Heavenly Father loves you. No one here needs to feel alone. We are all sons and daughters of loving Heavenly Parents, and Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, the High Priest of good things to come.” Sister Melanie Rasband, who joined her husband on the ministry visit, reminded the Saints that God, through the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, promises to make beauty out of ashes. “Driving near Lahaina, it is sad to see such devastation,” she said. “As we see more catastrophes in the latter days, our hearts ache for you and for what this stake has endured. … The idea of beauty for ashes I hope applies to the lovely Lahaina area to be made beautiful again.” The Rasbands made a similar visit to northern California six years ago after fires decimated neighborhoods in Santa Rosa. In the ruins, they found nesting dishes with the words “love, hope, dream” on them. A bright future is possible, Elder Rasband said on Sunday, because of God’s plan of salvation.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband
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Drew Hamilton stared out his bedroom window in shock at the burned ruins that had once been his local chapel. It was the morning of April 28, 2023, and the 15-year-old Latter-day Saint in Cherry Grove, Alberta, Canada, had woken to his mother telling him that their church building was no longer standing. ... Almost a week later, a local man was arrested in connection with the fire and charged with arson, CTV News reported. But in the weeks that followed, Drew and his neighbors were still left with only the ashes of the church that had been, in many ways, the heart and soul of their community. Drew’s own ancestors had helped build that chapel. How could he help rectify this loss? ... Bishop Wille said the new chapel is slated for completion this August, and many Cherry Grove residents are looking forward to bringing friends to the open house. ... In the meantime, church services moved to the Cherry Grove Community Hall. Bishop Wille recalled a talk given by a young woman shortly after the fire, in which she explored the scriptural idea of “beauty for ashes” (Isaiah 61:3). “Even in times when [things are] just ugly, and when there’s violence or illness or who knows what, there can be beauty... that grows from it,” he said. “So often in life, something has to get a little worse before it gets better. And this will be a beautiful thing for us when it’s all said and done.”
Bancroft, Kaitlyn
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