Sunday Meditations

Yesterday I attended the baptism of one of my CTR 8 students. Mykle, a handsome, talkative, and joyful young man invited me to his baptism. It was one of the most powerful, spiritual experiences I have had for awhile. I think that I was able to feel the Spirit of the Lord in such a profound way because of my daily personal prayer and scripture study during the week. I also think that my heart has been so drawn out in prayer on behalf of my own children that the Lord saw fit to touch the eyes of my understanding through watching Mykle and his family. Let me share with you some of my thoughts and impressions.

First of all Mykle's maternal grandfather gave the talk on baptism. It was not the usual talk that we often hear, instead he started by describing the baptism of the Savior then he related how the members of his family were converted and baptised each in turn down to Mykle's baptism. As he began with Mykle's great-uncle John, the family's first baptised member of the Church, my thoughts turned to my grandparents and their affect on my life as they taught me the gospel over the course of five short summers. And as each of Mykle's family members were remembered I thought of corresponding members of my family who have made covenants with the Lord at baptism. Although I and my children are currently the only active members of my earthly family I realized that had it not been for my grandparents I and my children would most likely be in a very different circumstance in our lives without the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Next Mykle's mother spoke about the Holy Ghost and how the Lord blessed us with ears to hear the still small voice of the Spirit, mouths to invite the companionship of the Spirit in prayer, and hearts to feel the Spirit in our lives. She had Mykle's quilt that was obviously very special to him and she told him that his quilt was also known as a comforter that kept him warm and feeling safe and secure. In that way the Spirit is called the Comforter and brings us feelings of peace, love, and direction from Heavenly Father when we invite him into our lives.

Mykle's father baptized and confirmed him a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I did not hear the blessing because Mykle's father is a humble, soft-spoken man but I felt the power the Spirit testify to me that the blessing was for Mykle and it was not important that I hear the words so I paid closer attention to the Spirit. And I searched my memory for my own baptism day and I could not find the memory. Instead I found memories of times that the Savior blessed my life, of circumstances that led to my conversion of heart and mind to the truth of the gospel, and the growth I've experienced since my conversion.

Over the past few weeks I've felt that if I were still on the mainland it would be easier to share what I have learned from the Lord so that my children, who are facing the trials of mortality, might benefit from my faith and prayers. I've so much I want to share, but very often I feel like what I have to share would not be received. I know that advice not sought is not appreciated. However, there have been days over the last few weeks where I have felt like Lehi and I've wanted to exhort my children to repentance and diligence in keeping the commandments of the Lord with all the feelings of a tender parent.

One of the hardest things about being a parent is being confined to the sidelines to watch your adult children make choices that will cause suffering for themselves and their families all the while knowing that my love and concern would be misunderstood as meddling. Instead, I seek the Lord's wisdom for only He knows the hearts, minds, and souls of my children. He knows how to reach them when I do not. I marvel at His tremendous love, patience, and mercy. I do not understand how He endures the heart-breaking moments of watching His children make choices that will lead to eternally being cast out of His presence--never to see them, hug them, kiss them, laugh with them, talk to them, and be with them again--all because they choose to reject His wisdom and love. I know my heart would absolutely break into small pieces if my children would choose to reject me and never what to be with me again. How does Heavenly Father resist the temptation to simply gather His children into the safety of His loving arms away from the grasp of the adversary who would destroy them? Why do we so easily get distracted by the cares and concerns of the world around us and forget to draw upon the powers of heaven to provide for us that which is essential and necessary? Why do we trust men, wealth, fame, vanity to provide the happiness that only comes from a clear conscience before the Lord?

And so, with the desires of a tender parent I counsel my children to evaluate their standing before the Lord and repent when and where necessary. Believe Him and trust the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ to make you as clean as the day of your baptism. Trust the Savior to make every mortal experience count for good in your life. Think of a time when the power of the priesthood of God has laid hands on your head and you felt that power to bless, to heal, to comfort, to direct, to ordain, and to allow you to feel the love of the Savior for you. Remember that the Savior heals every illness, every wounded heart and spirit, every broken body, and will raise the dead. In response to our faith and prayers we can be healed in body, mind, and spirit because whomever or whatever the Lord puts His hands on lives--be that a person or a family they will live. Of this I have no doubt, for I am alive today because of the blessings of the Savior. My heart has been healed because of the blessings of the Savior. My mind is at peace because of the blessings of the Savior.

To those of you who have rationalized not attending your Church meetings I want to caution you. I want you to understand that when you reject the opportunity to take the sacrament with prayerful preparation by repenting [turning your heart to God] and thinking deeply about the power of the atonement to cleanse you, strengthen you, and change you, then you reject the Savior. And when you reject the Savior you reject your potential to have an eternal family. Can you image your life without your family for eternity? It is a dear price to pay in exchange for satisfying your mortal appetites and passions. Ask yourself if the sacrifice of your family is the price you are willing to pay in order to live by your own limited wisdom. I watched a few minutes of "City of Angels" last night and one line of the dialog works very well in what I am attempting to say: "Some things are true whether you believe them or not". You are free to not believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. You are free to not believe that the Savior can heal your soul, forgive your sins, and fill you with eternal life. You are free to not believe that your family can be eternal only if you keep your covenants. You are free to not believe that attending the temple is necessary for your eternal progression. But you are not free to set the consequences of your disbelief, your lack of faith, and if you persist in such a path the consequence is an eternal loss of your family. I can think of nothing that will cause greater pain and suffering at the end of mortality than that.

So I call you to repentance and greater faith the Lord Jesus Christ if that is needed in your life. I urge you to read the article in the August 2009 edition of the Ensign by Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi (he sealed Lee and I) "Opening the Heavens" and follow his counsel to:
1. Get out of bed early
2. Exercise for a few minutes
3. Wash your body [shave if male]
4. Dress for the day
5. Go to a quiet place where no one and nothing can interrupt you
6. Kneel, subdue your spirit before Heavenly Father, and call upon Him. Talk to Him in reverent prayer.
7. Wait for His holy inspiration, pondering the scriptures or a recent general conference talk and think about the specific problems you face.

Elder Kikuchi's promise is that if you do this and immerse yourself in the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, for a few minutes every day you will experience feelings of joy and you will receive strength to overcome your trials and weaknesses. You will come to know the Savior and Heavenly Father in ways not open to you otherwise, the heavens will open to you in whatever glorious ways your Father in Heaven has prepared for you. That you may receive these blessings is my prayer.
Love,
Mom