I Have Prayed For Thee

Last night I had the opportunity to attend a fireside with Elder and Sister Caussé for those who had served French-speaking missionaries. Sister Caussé made a comment about their opportunity to testify of the name of Christ throughout the world and suggested that they would continue to do so until the end of their lives. Then she corrected herself, looked at her husband, and said, “Well, until the end of his life!” Then she changed her mind and suggested that actually he would outlive her because “a lot more people are praying for him than for me!” Elder Caussé got up later and affirmed that he prays for her. And surely there are many people in the Church that do pray for the apostles and their wives in their difficult responsibilities. In the most recent general conference Elder Caussé said, “Over the past few months, my wife, Valérie, and I have been deeply moved by the outpouring of love and prayers from Saints around the world. Through you, my dear brothers and sisters, we have felt the love of God more intensely than ever before in our lives. And in response, our own ability to love has grown in ways we never expected.” It is a reminder to us that we should pray for them, for their burdens are indeed heavy. Recently the prophet’s wife came to our temple and I was told that when she was leaving she requested of the temple presidency that we pray for the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Surely they face challenges and difficulties that we know little of. I realized today that the Savior gave us an example of praying for His anointed when He said this to Peter: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:31-32). If the Savior thought it important to pray for His chief apostle and the one who would lead the Church at His departure, surely we should do the same.

This reminds me of a vision the Prophet Joseph Smith received of the Twelve as they were on their missions in England. President Faust related these words of Heber C. Kimball in general conference: “The following vision was manifested to him [Joseph Smith] as near as I can recollect: He saw the Twelve going forth, and they appeared to be in a far distant land. After some time they unexpectedly met together, apparently in great tribulation, their clothes all ragged, and their knees and feet sore. They formed into a circle, and all stood with their eyes fixed upon the ground. The Savior appeared and stood in their midst and wept over them, and wanted to show Himself to them, but they did not discover Him.” I remember once I boarded a plane out of Salt Lake City and saw that Elder Holland was already on the plane in a window seat, and he was already asleep. It was a witness to me of just how exhausting their work must be. They travel the world in a focused effort to do the will of the Lord and share the love of Jesus Christ with people of all nations. Elder Caussé said, “As disciples of Jesus Christ, we bear witness of Him whenever we share His love with all around us—and help it take root in each person we meet.” He also shared this well-known quote from the Prophet Joseph Smith: “A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.” If anyone does that, surely it is the modern-day apostles who are constantly traveling to watch over the Church and teach the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe the words of the Lord to the prophet Nephi in ancient times apply to these faithful servants and their wives today: “Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments” (Helaman 10:4).