Feeble knees

In four places in the scriptures a highly descriptive metaphor for weakness of spirit is used to create an image of those in need of help from others.

Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.(Job 4:3-4)

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. (Isaiah 35:3)

Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; (Hebrews 12:12)

Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees. (D&C 81:5)

“Feeble knees” is an apt description of the doubts and fears that beset each of us as we pass through mortality. We all have “feeble knees” at some time in our lives. Probably every one of us can point to someone (perhaps unaware of their influence) who strengthened us at just the time when it was needed most, possibly even as we were praying for someone or something that would give us the strength to go on. Although I never watched the show on TV, this quote from the television show My So-Called Life explains this well:

Sometimes someone says something really small, and it just fits right into this empty place in your heart.

The Savior himself often provided the strength and comfort some suffering spirit needed. A perfect example of his understanding and concern is Mark 9:17-27. These verses tell the story of a boy who was possessed of an evil spirit from childhood. The spirit had control of his body and cast him variously into the fire and into the water in an effort to destroy him. Jesus’ disciples could not cast out the spirit. When the boy was brought to him, the Savior said to the father: ”If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”

The father answered with tears, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”

Sensing the father’s need and his wavering but instinctive faith, the Savior cast out the evil spirit. In so doing, he lifted both boy and father from the depression, pain, and doubt that the adversary had created in them.

On one level or another, every day, we need friendship, strengthening, confirmation of our true worth, and greater understanding of the Great Plan of the Eternal God (Alma 34:9). With the boy’s father, we too could say: “Help thou mine unbelief.” Doctor Robert H. Goddard said:

“Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the sick and the aged, sympathetic to the poor, and tolerant of the weak. At sometime in your life you have been or will be all of these things.”

The Savior possessed empathy and discernment far beyond our poor mortal senses, but we have been given a gift at baptism that can expand our senses beyond their normal reach. If we can listen, if we can sense the promptings when they come, we can befriend, strengthen, lift, and teach others when they most need it. The Savior does not usually send angels from the other side of the veil when we need support or comfort. Rather, we are often His chosen messengers, His emissaries. Sadly, an opportunity may present itself but once, but if the call is heeded, a response can give a lifetime of satisfaction to both giver and receiver. Ralph Waldo Emerson said:

“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”

Sister Marjorie Pay Hinckley was fond of saying: “Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

Probably one of the most difficult aspects of responding to the needs of others is doing so without rendering judgment and without imposing conditions on our service. While physical help is sometimes required, empathy or sympathy is sometimes all that’s needed. Jill C. Major, Lauren C. Leifson, and Hollie C. Bevan, in their book, Encircled by Love, said this:

“Emotional support differs from physical support. This type of support happens when we listen without making judgments and when we love without imposing any conditions. When we do this, we "lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees. (D&C 81:5.)”

President Thomas S. Monson, in his book, Be Your Best Self, said this:

“One of the finest examples I know of helping one's neighbors is that of a prominent businessman who, at the height of his success, generously gave his prosperous business to his faithful employees and determined to devote the balance of his life to charitable service. He withdrew from the world of gold and silver and each day can now be found at a large Church welfare distribution center doing his part to relieve the suffering and need of human souls and to make America a better place to live. He is fulfilling the responsibility to "succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees." (D&C 81:5.) He humbly declares: ‘This is the happiest period of my life.’"

Two other quotes I like reinforce President Monson’s story and are appropriate to close these thoughts:

You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.

John Wooden

The best portion of a good man's life: his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.

William Wordsworth