Sally Lee, director of Family Services in Hawaii for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, told the BYU-Hawaii devotional audience on Feb. 26, "When we don't listen and obey the laws of God, we get into trouble. When we listen and obey, we have peace."
In her work for the past 24 years with LDS Family Services, which she describes as "an integral part of the Lord's inspired welfare program," Lee has seen many examples of "people who let down their pride and came with humble hearts with the desire to change and make their lives better.
She added she has also "seen such sadness, grief, regret, hurt, pain and terrible troubles that can come into the lives of people. I have learned that while some problems are caused by accidents or health problems, most troubles occur because of sin . . . sin committed by that person or sin committed by others."
"I can testify that when we keep the commandments, we are happier. When we break the commandments, unhappiness sets in," said Lee, who shared several examples from her case files to illustrate.
Early in her career, Lee received a call from the University Branch president in Honolulu. A non-member father on the mainland learned that his non-member daughter had scheduled an abortion the next day at 1 p.m., and was told "someone in the LDS Church" might be able to help. Lee was able to make an appointment with the young woman the next morning at 10 a.m.
"During the first hour, she was adamant and determined that there was no way she would keep the pregnancy," Lee said. "I fervently petitioned the Lord for help and asked that her heart be softened. I pleaded for help from her loved ones beyond the veil."
Then something happened during the second hour. I felt the Spirit of the Lord fill my office. The young woman must have felt it, too, for her lips started to quiver and then tears came. She began to think about the child as a separate person from her. She began to think how she would feel after an abortion and the long-term consequences of that choice."
"At the end of our discussion, she humbly said, I will give this child life," Lee said. "She placed the baby with an outstanding Latter-day Saint couple. Today that little boy is an active soccer player and he passes the sacrament on Sunday. What happened? This young woman listened to the Spirit and she obeyed. Her righteous decision brought her and her child great peace and joy."
Lee, noting she has been involved in many adoptions over the years, also told of a bright student on full scholarship who "had made a mistake and found herself pregnant with no possibility of marriage. She and her parents consulted their church leaders and LDS Family Services to find out her options."
"Her parents were financially strong and could have easily supported one more child in the family. But after much prayer, this young woman and her parents decided to follow the counsel of the First Presidency and place the child for adoption with a temple-sealed couple. Emotionally, it was not an easy thing to do, but their great faith carried them through," Lee said.
She explained "the birthmother selected a humble, righteous couple and corresponded with them throughout the pregnancy. A gorgeous little boy was born and the adoptive couple excitedly flew to Hawaii at the time of the birth. The placement took place in a peaceful, beautiful home where the Spirit of the Lord was indeed present and very strong. When the birthmother and her parents met the adoptive couple, there was instant love as though they had known each other before. There were hugs and tears."
"After talking together for quite some time, the birthmother played a lovely piece on the piano, Canon in D, for the adoptive couple," Lee said. "The adoptive mother was a talented violinist. She and the birthmother then played two songs together with the piano and violin. One of the songs was I Am a Child of God."
Lee added when the birthmother "placed the child into the arms of the adoptive parents, we all felt the spirit that day and there was such deep love manifested. This birthmother has since served the Lord in many ways and is now sealed to a faithful husband and has her own family. The special, beautiful baby was sealed in the temple to his parents and is loved and cherished by a large, righteous extended family."
"Every day we are faced with decisions between right and wrong. Each decision we make either takes us closer to our Heavenly Father or farther away from Him," Lee said.
She shared a thought her boss saw in a Church Office Building elevator: "Those who do not follow the prophet are no better off than those who do not know that there is a prophet."
Lee said this counsel applies in "everyday circumstances," such as peacefully solving problems with roommates rather than getting mad.
"If someone gossips about you and hurts you, what would you do? We may be tempted to 'talk stink' about that person and get even, but that is Satan's way and will only get us in more trouble. The Lord teaches us to forgive," Lee said.
"In a marriage relationship, when difficulties arise, we must look at ourselves and see how our own behavior might be contributing to the problem instead of pointing the finger at the other person."
"We must remember that we have the power to restrain ourselves, to control our behavior and to choose the right path leading to eternal life if we make Christ our partner," Lee said.
"The gospel teaches us that we have the power to take control of our own lives," Lee added. "We can receive promptings and know the path we need to take. We do not have to be perfect to receive guidance and strength from the Lord. He loves us and He is constantly guiding us, if we will only listen."