Remembering is a Good Choice

What is it that You Will Choose to Remember This Day?

We all remember the scenes of devastation and sorrow. 

Do we remember the love? Do we remember the kindness?
Do we remember the humanity and the selfless service
of those who gave their all to save a stranger?

After 9-11, individuals and families all across our nation
chose to remember God and to remember Country.
Is that a choice for you today?
Are you still attending your Church?
Are you still displaying your flag?
Do you still have hope
for yourself, your children, and our Country?

The Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance.
Are we remembering to express gratitude to those we love,
to our family and friends?
Are we remembering to show kindness to strangers?
Are we remembering to give thanks,
praising God, and giving Him the glory?

We can choose to see evil every day,
because it is here and we can see it.

We can also choose to see love every day,
because it is here and we can be a part of it.
We can create it.

We clearly mean it when we say, “We will never forget.”
But what exactly is it that we are choosing to remember.
Will our memories make a difference to us?
Will our actions make a difference for others?

We can’t forget the insidious actions of hatred
that have taken innocent lives, on 9-11 and throughout history;
and how those cruel deeds caused pain and damage
to loved ones that is ongoing. 

But do those actions make a more indelible mark 

on our souls than the goodness that is witnessed 

during those very times? 

Light always shines through, 

and our choices can make it overpower the darkness 

in our own hearts, minds, and lives.
With that light,
we can make a difference in the lives of others.

Jesus is the Light of the World, 

and it is only through remembering Him 

that we can experience everlasting peace and everlasting life.

He died for all humanity, 

our failures, our mistakes, and even our hate.

He lives for all of us, too. 

He is the Way. He is our Bread. He is our salvation. 

Through Him our lives can again have meaning and direction. 

With His love, He provided hope for all. 

His invitation is, “Come, follow Me.”

Do we remember to find ways to 

recognize and remember God’s kindness?

What will you choose to remember today?

A scripture verse:

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the
rock of our Redeemer,
who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation;
that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea,
his shafts in the whirlwind,
yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you,
it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built,
which is a sure foundation,
a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

Helaman 5:12

A message from an apostle:

O Remember, Remember

Joy Comes in the Morning

This life is indeed a period of testing. Like Mother Eve said, “Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient” (Moses 5:11). Sometimes that testing really pushes us beyond what we believe our limits are. Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ are not impaired with limits or by our limits; and, with Them we can experience joy in the morning; not just in the millennial day, or in the resurrection, but every day (see Psalm 30:5 ).  

Last evening was full of pain and sorrow. It was also full of faith and love. I'd like to thank the brother from the ward who came to give my daughter a blessing along with her Dad. I'd like to thank the man in the lobby of the ER, who saw my distress in the long wait for her to be admitted; who asked if he could pray with me, then grabbed my hand and said a heart-felt faithful prayer of hope and healing; and then he helped increase our faith by sharing his testimony and personal experiences of deliverance found in Jesus Christ and His word.  I'd like to thank the many people who have blessed our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren with their goodness.

I would also like to thank the loud lady in the ER, who was distressed and alone, and just wanted someone to share her grief, pain, and sorrow. In taking the time to talk and pray with her, I had the opportunity to extend the Savior’s faith and love to another, just as others had done for me and my family all evening.

My daughter was at that limit last night. Her pain was so severe. And yet, because of the faith and love and kindness of those already mentioned and all those others who are supporting us with their prayers; because of Jesus’s infinite intercessory prayer, and because of our Father’s great love for all of us, her burden was lightened, her pain was eased, and she found rest; long before she was given the IV fluids with pain medication.

I just finished reading President Nelson’s conference talk from October 1986. What a hopeful message of joy he shared with his own family, to the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and which is still being shared with anyone in the world who would like to read it, who loves to find joy in the morning. Here’s the link: Joy Cometh in the Morning.

When Robby was born 25 years ago, our hearts were full of joy and sadness. It is amazing to me how the Lord blesses us richly with both simultaneously. We had looked forward to this treasured son with joyful anticipation, and then we said goodbye to him with quiet and unrelenting grief.

Robby’s birth, and death; Robby’s life, his immortal soul and spirit, richly blessed and solidified our family and our testimonies. His few short days with us, growing in my womb and looking intently at us in the hospital room were a testament of our Father’s love and goodness. Robby was an angel sent from God to us, and he continues to be our angel child.

It is our testimony that the hospital where Robby was born and passed away was holy ground that day. His spirit was there. The Spirit of the Lord was there. Ancestors (and probably posterity) were there. The love of the Lord was felt strongly. The compassion or the hospital staff was remarkable. Ward members surrounded us with love. The Spirit embraced us in love. There could have been no greater peace. The Lord’s promises are sure.

With empty arms, we went home. We learned to not keep our arms empty, but to love our children here more; and to love all children more. Life has become more precious and sweet. Whisperings from heaven have become more treasured and sacred. Our goal to persevere and remain faithful has become more solidified, because we want to be with Robby again, as we do with all of our family members.

Had Robby’s mission been to stay and grow to adulthood, he would be turning 25 on 8 February 2018. Heavenly Father’s plan was for Robby to return home to heaven. That temporary loss still saddens us at times, but we have faith in our Father’s Plan.

This year I would like to invite you to celebrate Robby’s birth with us. It would me a lot to me if you do. I’m not asking you to donate money to a charitable cause; but if that is what you choose to do, that is wonderful.

What I’d like, as a gift to Robby and his parents and family who have missed him, is for you to notice the children around you. Please think of something special you can do for a child. Whether it is taking him or her sledding, or baking cookies, or teaching him how to fly a kite, or reading a story with her; please spend some time in February showing your love to children.

Life is precious. This life is short; but, eternity is our promise. Love is everlasting.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Robby.