Like a Broken Vessel by Elder Holland

Tonight, it was Scarlett's turn to teach us about Elder Holland's talk "Like a Broken Vessel."

It's kind of hard to teach children about major depression, but we assured them that into every life a little rain must fall...sometimes that little rain comes in the form of all-encompassing storms such as emotional and mental disorders...sadness that a person needs help from an outside source to overcome.

Elder Holland's talk hit so many important points for anyone dealing with depression and other majorly difficult mental illnesses, or who has experience depression in the past, but we focused on just this part of his talk:

So how do you best respond when mental or emotional challenges confront you or those you love? Above all, never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend. As President Monson said to the Relief Society sisters so movingly last Saturday evening: “That love never changes. … It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve [it]. It is simply always there.” ⁴ Never, ever doubt that, and never harden your heart. Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life. Seek the counsel of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being. Ask for and cherishpriesthood blessings. Take the sacrament every week, and hold fast to the perfecting promises of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost. If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior’s own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead. ⁵

We emphasized that no matter what happens, we must never lose faith in our Father in Heaven, who loves us more than we know or understand.  And that if we fall on hard times, we must remember to seek the Spirit, seek help, keep taking the sacrament each week, tap into the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and believe in miracles.

Other ways that we can help get ourselves out of a depressive rut is to continue to serve others.  (Not a piece of advice given in his talk, just one we talked about tonight.)

To remind us to serve others and to tie-in with St. Patrick's Day, we invoked our Leprechaun Service Adventure...which we did a few years ago.  You can access the details here. 

The kids all got a bag of rainbow licorice (to remind them of Elder Holland's teachings) and chocolate gold coins...as well as the mandate that they should do one secret act of service every day for the next week...and return to FHE next Monday to report how it went.

Here are our General Conference Review Lessons for the October 2013 Conference so far:

The Stronger the Wind, The Stronger the Trees - President Monson

Angels to Watch over Us - President Eyring

Come, Join With Us - President Uchtdorf

The Key to Spiritual Protection - President Packer

The Articles of Faith - Elder Perry

Like a Broken Vessel - Elder Holland

Trust in the Lord - Elder Ballard

No Other Gods - Elder Oaks

Beware of Bondage - Elder Cook

Decisions for Eternity  - Elder Nelson

Repentance: The Hope-filled Path - Elder Scott

The Moral Force of Women - Elder Christofferson

Each Day is a Day of Decision - Elder Nelson

Windows, Priesthood & Tithing - Elder Bednar & Elder Andersen

"Oh, How We Need General Conference!" - Elder Hales