“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted…to comfort all that mourn…to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:1-3

After receiving a stunning plant, with a blooming orchid, I thanked my dear friend for the thoughtful gift, and she replied, “I think beauty is a salve for a hurting heart.” I can attest to the truthfulness of this statement as we have received bounteous beauty, in response to the sorrowful time we experienced with my mom, and the sweet feelings of comfort they’ve provided.  Love and sympathy have been expressed with colorful, fragrant blooms of many varieties, a charming, personal work of art, poetic words and graceful artwork on cards, and the most beautiful and healing of all—loving, smiling faces, sometimes with a tear of sympathy in the eye.

As I’ve considered the abundant beauty all around me, and how it truly is a salve for my hurting heart, I’ve felt humbled and grateful, once again, for the wisdom and mercy of our Father in Heaven.  He has planned for everything.  There’s no surprises to Him, no last-minute contingencies. In the beginning He created this world: the plants and flowers, the streams and waterfalls, the beaches and mountains, the deserts and rainforests. He designed the bounty of fascinating creatures that roam the earth, from the amazing giraffe to the strong and graceful horse and every varied, interesting animal in the water, sky, and around the globe. He placed beauty everywhere the eye can see.

“Indeed, all truth, both spiritual and temporal, testifies of Him. When we learn to read the ‘signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows’ properly, with the eyes of faith, we will realize that all of history, all of science, all of nature, all divinely revealed knowledge of any sort, testifies of Him. He is the very personification of truth and light, of life and love, of beauty and goodness. All that He did was done out of love.” Alexander B. Morrison

Many times, I’ve relaxed on the sand of a favorite California beach, breathing deeply of the salty air, feeling the gentle breeze tousle my hair, hearing the rushing in and retreating of the cascading waves. It soothes my soul in a unique way, bringing me comfort and joy. When I can’t be there, I try to recreate that beauty, from my memory, visualizing all those calming, comforting sensations. It feels like a picture-perfect scene created just for me.

At home, clear blue skies and brilliant sunshine warm my body and soul, helping me feel God’s love and comfort. Cottony, white clouds blowing by, or orange and red sunsets, are awe-inspiring beauty, which humbles me and reminds me there’s a great and powerful God who lovingly provides all this for us to enjoy.  As I headed home from Utah yesterday, I was a little anxious about driving in the rain.  As we neared home, however, half of the sky was dark gray, rain clouds, while the other half was bright blue.  I excitedly told my son, “Look for the rainbow!” Soon he spied it—a magical double rainbow, full of ancient promise.

The temple, up on the hill, sparkling in the sunlight or glowing in the night, welcomes us with its beauty. Many exquisite flowers and plants, on the temple grounds, are lovingly tended, adding to its welcoming feeling. There is also manmade beauty, inspired by the Lord. Every intricate detail of our sacred temples is made gloriously in praise to our God, whose house it is.  Each lovely painting, elegant piece of furniture, delicate carving, and magnificent chandelier speak beauty, granting peace and reminding us to ponder the glory of God.

“As I think of temples, my thoughts turn to the many blessings we receive therein. As we enter through the doors of the temple, we leave behind us the distractions and confusion of the world. Inside this sacred sanctuary, we find beauty and order. There is rest for our souls and a respite from the cares of our lives.” Thomas S. Monson

I’m thankful for the Lord’s gifts of beauty all around us and the reminder they are of His love, power, and grace. He is able to change the clouds to sunshine, and sorrow to rejoicing. Only He can change our hearts and make us new.

“…No matter what we have done or where we have been or how something happened, if we truly repent, He has promised that He would atone. And when He atoned, that settled that. There are so many of us who are thrashing around, as it were, with feelings of guilt, not knowing quite how to escape. You escape by accepting the Atonement of Christ, and all that was heartache can turn to beauty and love and eternity.” Boyd K. Packer