Recognizing Truth

I was watching the movie, Awakenings , based on a true story, and noticed how it verified Gospel principles in a very quiet way. Working in a mental hospital Dr. Sayer observed interesting reactions in catatonic individuals, many who’d been diagnosed with “atypical” brain disorders. Dr. Sayer discovered certain stimuli reached beyond the patients’ respective catatonic states; actions such as catching a ball thrown at them, music or simple human touch.


He and one of the staff nurses stayed up late into the night studying and reviewing patient charts and records only to find dead ends; most of the patients had been previously diagnosed with “atypical” disorders of the brain, some for as long as 25 years. The idea occurred to Dr. Sayer, there must be something “typical” for so many individuals to have similar “atypical” responses. No logical explanation could be found and they went home exhausted unable to secure an answer.


He was sleeping on the sofa, his mind continuing to work through all that he’d been searching and sifting through when he suddenly awakened; having been prompted with a possible answer. He’d done all that he could and the Spirit lent him a hand, a means of helping those in his stewardship. Clarity of thought made it possible for a miracle, restoration of near normal brain function and quality of life, limited in duration; but a miracle no less.


“But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.” Doctrine and Covenants 9:8 .


We live in curious times filled with challenges which seem to consume all our best efforts. Many of us are looking for answers; how do we return our nation to those foundational footings necessary for restoring the promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? We have been studying and searching through all that is available, history books, commentary by the finest minds in our day as well in times past; have we taken the next step and asked for divine inspiration?


This article has been cross posted to The Moral Liberal , a publication whose banner reads, “Defending The Judeo-Christian Ethic, Limited Government, & The American Constitution”.