Monte Deere and his brother Michael were born just 14 months apart—the kind of brothers who shared a bedroom—and a paper route—even when they didn’t have to. So, when Michael took his own life while Monte and his wife were serving as mission leaders in the Spain Malaga Mission, Monte found himself grieving in a foreign country far away from his family. Since returning home, Monte has dealt with health challenges that have disrupted his own quality of life—even causing him to be released from a church calling he loved. On this week’s episode, Monte shares how he has been a recipient of the balm that only the Savior can provide.
“I think being all in for Him is creating a little space for Him, listening to Him say, ‘Come, let me pick you up. Let me brush you off. Let me apply a little salve, a little balm. And let me give you some bread and some spiritual water. Let me clean you from the inside out and then you can be back being all in on the things that you choose but give me room, give me space. Let me love you. Let me do for you what you can’t do for yourself, what only I can do.’”
1:43- A Father’s Example of Hard Work 5:01- Watching an Adult Sibling Struggle 12:29- A Family Called to Serve 17:54- Devastating News 21:51- Salve From the Spirit 24:48- Unexpected Health Challenges 35:34- A Wake Up Call 37:56- Lifting the Hands Which Hang Down 41:42- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Links:
Elder Renlund on suicide - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAYgY8SPtEWH5oAfQlfGFyKk77nf-S-tH
President Ballard on suicide -https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1987/10/suicide-some-things-we-know-and-some-we-do-not?lang=eng