Life lessons strengthen testimonies

Tragic experiences are part of life, and no one knows why they happen, but Lise Wilhorn suffered a most tragic accident 26 years ago and has had to fight to make it through many days of her life since then. But, she says, "Don't worry, I am happy, my husband loves me so much."

Her husband, Michael, says, "She always has a smile on her face and that is because she lives the gospel." And he would know about that because her special spirit attracted him to her, and her missionary zeal converted him to the church.

Married five years ago by their bishop, the newly converted Michael took his bride Lise to the temple about one year later when they traveled from their home in Coeurde'alene, Idaho, about 30 miles to the Spokane Temple where they were sealed for time and all eternity.

Lise grew up Mormon in Canada, and at the age of 12 her family moved to Franklin, Tenn., where peer pressure and the desire to be popular caused her to drink with friends at a party. "I was 16," she said, "and I did something that I had been taught all my life not to do."

While driving home after the party, she encountered a ditch, a fence and a tree. Fortunately she was alone, and no one else was injured. However, she was anything but fortunate. "I broke my scull, jaw and neck," she said, I was in a coma for three months."

Doctors first said she wouldn't live then said she would never walk. She proved them wrong and after six years and numerous surgeries — nearly a dozen on her feet alone where all toes have been removed on one foot — she walks.

Her father, who served as a bishop in Tennessee, has given her many blessings that have helped her through the many surgeries.

But the biggest obstacle in her daily fight for happiness is her speech. The sisters of her ward banded together and supported her in speech therapy and driving her places. "It was like a big family," explained her husband. "They took care of her."

Her husband explains much of what she says as her speech is still not entirely clear; but he was not around during the rehabilitative period. Originally from Wisconsin, he was working golf course maintenance in Pocatello, Idaho, when they met.

The LDS branch met in a room above the apartments where Michael lived. He was invited to attend where he met Lise, and she gave him a Book of Mormon. Today they both work golf course maintenance at a resort club in Coeurde'alene and serve as ward missionaries going out with the full-time missionaries regularly.