The Great Deliverer

In D&C 59: 21 we read, “And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.”

I have recently been compiling two lists, which I hope will help to show Heavenly Father how much I appreciate the blessings that I have received. One of the lists is simply called “blessings.” Another list is composed of a very specific kind of blessing—instances in which I have been delivered from difficult and at times seemingly impossible circumstances. I feel badly for not sharing these experiences along the way. Besides being simply negligent, perhaps at times I didn’t even recognize the blessing until weeks, months or even years later. I hope that the occasional sharing I will do will help to make up for these past deficiencies.

While working on the list, it occurred to me that I certainly fit the following statement made by President Thomas S. Monson: “Those things which provide deep and lasting happiness and gratitude are the things which money cannot buy: our families, the gospel, good friends, our health, our abilities, the love we receive from those around us. Unfortunately, these are some of the things we allow ourselves to take for granted. The English author Aldous Huxley wrote, ‘Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted’” (“The Divine Gift of Gratitude,” Ensign, Nov 2010, 89). 

The following is the first installment of what will be several more deliverance experiences.

· When about six to eight years old, while visiting my Granmother Koyle, I was helping to bring in the cows to be milked. The cows were in a field that had a lot of sagebrush in it. Some of the brush was three feet tall or more. While running full-speed through the sagebrush, I looked down and saw a rattlesnake coiled up. My right foot was about to come down on top of the rattlesnake. With what I am now certain was heavenly help, I extended my foot beyond the snake and continued on my way—shaken but unhurt.

· When about sixteen years old, some milk cows were being driven into the barn for milking at my uncle, Eldon Koyle’s farm. However, a bull was interfering with the process. In my youthful bravado, I jumped into the corral to drive the bull away. He wasn’t a bit intimidated. Instead, he charged me. Before I could take any evasive action, he had me pinned against one of the corral’s large fence posts, made from a railroad tie. I could have easily been crushed to death. However, my father and brother hit the bull with sticks and he backed off. I just ended up with a bruised breastbone that was sore for a few days. I am certain that another force was at work—sparing me from serious injury and possibly from death.

By sharing these experiences, I do not wish to draw attention to myself. What I wish to do is to lend substance to my firm testimony that the Savior is watching over us. He is "The Great Deliverer". He has assigned angels—both earthly and heavenly—to protect, inspire and guide us. While unseen, they are very real. More often than we know, they come to our aid in time of need. Of this I have absolutely no doubt.