Beauty From Ashes

We were privileged to spend November 24th (the American Thanksgiving Day) with the full-time missionaries here in Kiev at a wonderful zone conference.  Our hearts were filled with gratitude for the amazing young and not-so-young persons who have dedicated two years of their lives to serving others.  We were so inspired by President and Sister Packer’s instruction.    Additionally, Sister Packer had planned and, with the help of senior missionaries, served a delicious noon-time dinner complete with turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, salads, and deserts.   A few hours later, Americans sat down to a similar dinner to give thanks for the hand of the Lord in preserving their forefathers who settled North America. 

   

While Americans were celebrating Thanksgiving, Ukrainians were commemorating Holodomor Remembrance Day.  On this day especially, Ukrainians remember the unimaginable suffering and death of many millions of their forefathers who were intentionally and systematically starved to death by Josef Stalin in 1932-33. Although I have always loved history, this horrific event is something of which I was unaware.  Conquering nations have a habit of rewriting history to fit their narrative. Some in the West combine coverage of this mass murder together with the collectivization of the farms in the Soviet Union.  But this was more, much more.  Proletarska Pravda in 1930 wrote that the collectivization in Ukraine was intended to “destroy the social basis of Ukrainian nationalism.”  Once the farms were collectivized, Stalin sought to destroy Ukrainian culture, traditions and yearnings for independence.  Not only was the countryside stripped of grain, but of anything else that was remotely edible.  All farming tools and cooking utensils were confiscated and the borders were sealed to prevent food from coming in and people from going out.  This happened in Ukraine and also in the parts of Russia adjoining Ukraine where there were large Ukrainian populations.  Genocide was the intention.  Entire villages disappeared.  Estimates range up to ten million victims.  Russia then colonized portions of Ukraine where the population had been decimated.  When media outlets mention people of Russian ethnicity living in Ukraine, this is why. 

The spirit of freedom has always burned brightly in Ukrainian souls, and in 1991 they choose freedom as an independent nation and withdrew from the Soviet Union, catalyzing the dissolution of the USSR.  The current leadership in Russia is now seeking to rebuild an empire. Realizing that there has never been such an empire without Ukraine, (the bread-basket of Eastern Europe with rich soil and ports on the Black Sea), Russia has sought to reclaim Ukrainian territory as its own.   I’ve seen western media reports which claim that the ethnic Russians here want to be reunited with Russia.  And indeed, those still living in cities where armed Russian soldiers are stationed do say that, presumably for their own protection.  But those who descended from the Russians transplanted by Stalin into Ukraine with whom I’ve personally talked, claim now to be Ukrainian in nationality and allegiance.  They love the freedom enjoyed here and have no desire to lose it.  As a result, there are in Kiev hosts of refugees from the Crimea and Donbas areas. 

You can imagine the distress felt by Ukrainians as they contemplate the 55,000 Russian troops stationed on their borders.  They are further distressed by media reports of the American president-elect’s friendly attitude toward Russia.  No wonder, with such a tragic history behind them, Howard didn’t often see smiles on the street 25 years ago.  (He actually saw cheering when independence was declared).  No wonder I don’t see smiles on the street now!   But, don’t let that fool anyone – underneath the stern exteriors lie hearts with the capability of a full range of emotions.  This is abundantly clear with those who have embraced hope in Christ through covenants made in the waters of baptism.  Such love expressed to one another!  Such smiles and hugs!  Such love expressed within families and among close friends!

The depth of emotion felt by Ukrainians, and not just by those of our faith, is also abundantly clear in their music.  An amazing number of people here show unusual musical talent which we enjoy at almost every event.  Howard and I were deeply moved by a Rachmaninoff concert we attended.  (Yes, I know Rachmaninov was Russian). Three members of the L’Viv Philharmonic orchestra performed the entire Second Concerto on piano, cello and violin.  We barely noticed the hard upright seats and were disappointed that it had to end, so beautiful and full of passion was the performance given by these talented Ukrainians.  Two days later, we attended a concert of Ukrainian folk dancers.  Oh, my goodness!  I could never have imagined anything so amazing and wonderful!  The costumes!  The music! The colors!  The happiness! The athleticism of the dancers!  No words can come close to describing it.  Attached to this post are pictures, which don’t do the experience justice. 

It has been my experience that deeply held emotions, even joy, arise from suffering, and that the height of our joys can be measured by the depth of our sorrows.  I was asked to speak to a group of LDS sisters last Saturday evening about how I had survived adversity and still retained my ability to be happy.  The event went very well.  Several sisters told me that I spoke directly to their hearts and lives.  I spoke of the blessings that come from adversity, the most important of which is that we can come to know the Lord personally and deeply when we experience the most profound distresses, but only if we truly turn to Him in our anguish.  I used examples from my own life to illustrate the concept.  I have lived through much adversity and I have never failed to acknowledge the Lord’s critical role in strengthening and helping me through all of it.  However, I have always taken it a challenge at a time.  It wasn’t until after the speaking event that the totality of the things I’ve suffered hit me.  I could visualize the events transpiring over the length of my life.  It was quite overwhelming, not just the realization, but the gratitude that I feel for the Lord and His love.  What a paradox!  It is impossible to survive severe adversity on our own without becoming bitter, but if we accept the Lord’s help to successfully navigate the deep waters, He loves us for our faithfulness in coming through not only intact but transformed by Him.   Oh, how wonderful that is to me!

Not only can the Lord use adversity to shape our individual character, but He can use it to transform a nation.  Adversity can soften hearts and prepare them to receive divine tutoring.  I think of the way in which a farmer harrows his fields to prepare them to receive seed.  Perhaps Holodomor prepared Ukraine to receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  I hope that this thought doesn’t trivialize what happened, because, like what is happening currently in Aleppo, there are no words to describe the horror.  In spite of that, I believe deep in my soul that the Lord, who does not cause, or even condone such inhumanity, can and does use even horrific events to bless.  There is not one soul who turns to Him who will not feel His love and transformative power, if not in mortality, then in the hereafter.  In 1991 when Howard and his little band of missionaries arrived in Ukraine, the people were seeking for truth.  Many were prepared through dreams and other divine intervention to receive the glad message.  The harvest was bountiful.  It was common to see more than 100 baptisms a month, more than all of the European missions combined.  It was a true miracle.  The first stake in Zion formed in the former Soviet Union was organized in Ukraine – and the Kiev Temple is the first, and only, temple operating in the former USSR. 

Our Father is truly a God of miracles, a God of love, a God of mercy!  The reach of His power and compensatory blessings is seen in individual lives, and collectively in a people prepared to receive them.  Truly He creates beauty from ashes. 

Ukrainian Folk Dancing concert.

                                    

Zone Conference

Off the subject, but above is a picture of a protest taken from the window of our apartment. The white edge at the bottom is our window sill.

Rachmaninoff Concert: 

Far right is the violinist, third from right is pianist and the one with the beard is the cellist.