Comment

Small Miracles Each Day

Your article “Living in the Shadow of Death” (Sept. 2006) could have been written by me. When my Ensign arrived, I too had just been diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer after eight years. I have read many articles on dealing with the death of a loved one, but never one concerning dealing with one’s own death. It was very well written, uplifting, and encouraging. As a result I look for the small miracles in each day now and am truly grateful for such a wonderful article. I hope we will have more on this subject, as I know the need is great.
Dian Danner, Texas

Appreciation for Courage and Comfort

As a cancer survivor of just over three years, I appreciate in a unique way the article by Sister Lois McCune Sewell in the September Ensign. After my diagnosis, I too prayed for courage to bear what lay ahead with dignity, found comfort in the scriptures, felt an urgent need to be of service to others as a way of giving back, and noticed with awe and reverence the beauty of God’s handiwork. Most important, I developed a closer relationship with my Heavenly Father and treasure more than ever my earthly family and the relationships we have.

Thank you so much, Sister Sewell, for your example of courage and your words of comfort and inspiration.
Charles Hawkins, Missouri

A Plea for Inmates

You recently printed a letter from an LDS correctional officer. Well, I am an inmate, formerly LDS and hoping to be restored someday, and I think I can add something to what he had to say. He is right that the Ensign is very important to an inmate. It is a true lifeline, a light in the darkness. Only letters are of equal importance. I ask, I plead, I beg, on behalf of all inmates everywhere, that members who have friends, family, or even acquaintances in a prison or jail take the time to write to them. Do not forget them. Reply to their letters. You might keep someone’s heart from failing, and you might save them from a storm.
Name Withheld

Another Tender Mercy

I just wanted to say thank you to the editors and contributors of the Ensign for publishing “My Husband’s Addiction” (Aug. 2006). That article was just exactly what I needed, as I am going through the same problem with my husband. That article proves once again our Lord’s tender mercies to His children.
Name Withheld

Stopping the Attacks

Having practiced criminal appellate law for eight years, I appreciated “A Hole in Her Soul” in the July 2006 Ensign.

The article said the rapist was not prosecuted because “too much time had passed” and “there was no physical evidence.” Although these are common problems in rape cases, they can be overcome by police investigation into the circumstances of the crime, testimony from an expert to explain rape trauma syndrome, and testimony from the victim. A victim who did not tell anyone immediately after the crime and whose physical wounds have healed should still report the crime because there may still be enough evidence.

Many rapists have numerous victims. Stopping these attacks requires at least one victim reporting the rape and assisting in the prosecution. This does not mean the victim hates the rapist or cannot begin the process of forgiveness. Victims who report and assist in the prosecution are doing their part to put a stop to the evil inflicted by the rapist and are protecting others from the tremendous suffering they and their families have experienced.
Linda Lemke, Missouri

Realizing His Awareness

Thank you for the article “Getting Past the Hurt” (July 2006). This article came in such a timely manner for me. As I flipped through the pages of my Ensign, I immediately had tears come to my eyes as I stopped on page 28. Three weeks prior to seeing this article, I cut off all contact with a man whom I still loved very much. We dated for two years before I realized that he truly had no desire to get married. I am a 35-year-old single mother of four children, and the anguish I experienced in breaking off this relationship was almost unbearable at times. I truly feel like this article was Heavenly Father’s way of letting me know that He is always aware of what is going on in my life. This article was a great strength to me, right down to the illustration in the background of the cactus. (I live in Arizona.) What a tremendous testimony builder this was for me.
Name Withheld