I testify that the tender
mercies of the Lord are real and that they do not
occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Often the Lord's timing
of His tender mercies helps us to both discern
and acknowledge them. The Lord's tender
mercies are the very personal and individualized
blessings, strength, protection, assurances,
guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support,
and spiritual gifts which we receive from and
because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Truly, the Lord
suits "his mercies according to the conditions
of the children of men." One of the ways whereby the
Savior comes to each of us is through His abundant
and tender mercies. For instance, as you and I
face challenges and tests in our lives, the gift of
faith and an appropriate sense of personal confidence that
reaches beyond our own capacity are two examples of the
tender mercies of the Lord. Repentance and forgiveness of
sins and peace of conscience are examples of the tender
mercies of the Lord. And the persistence
and the fortitude that enable us to press
forward with cheerfulness through physical limitations
and spiritual difficulties are examples of the tender
mercies of the Lord.