(Four months ago I wrote:...) Time for April's LDS General Conference. In my weekday gospel study class, our teacher recommended we write a list of questions we have for the Lord. Then, to exercise our faith as we listen to the Prophet, apostles, and general authorities of the Church for answers. I couldn't help myself—one of my questions was, "What would Elle want me to know?"
Elder Ron Rasband was invited to speak at this April's conference.
"... I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your heart, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." —Doctrine & Covenants 84:88
I felt that Elle was telling me that not only the Lord, but she too, will be with me throughout my life.
Q. How can I move forward with joy instead of so much pain?
A. From Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk, "Grateful in Any Circumstance," I was reminded to not concentrate on what I've lost, to give thanks in all things, and to have a grateful disposition.
"Why does God command us to be grateful?... Our loving Heavenly Father knows that choosing to develop a spirit of gratitude will bring us true joy and great happiness.... In any circumstance, our sense of gratitude is nourished by the many and sacred truths we do know: that our Father has given His children the great plan of happiness; that through the Atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ, we can live forever with our loved ones; that in the end, we will have glorious, perfect, and immortal bodies...; and that our tears of sadness and loss will be replaced with an abundance of happiness and joy, 'good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.'... The more we learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more we realize that endings here in mortality are not endings at all. They are merely interruptions—temporary pauses that one day will seem small compared to the eternal joy awaiting the faithful...."
Q. How can I accept this new life as my best life instead of feeling cheated and that my life would have and could have been so much better?
It's been over two years since Elle's death, and I still feel a constant inner battle to stem the tide of grief. But these talks and others were needed reminders and reinforcements for me that this life is not a series of random, unfortunate events. As I strive to live a righteous life, I have the assurance that I'm living God's plan for me. And I trust that His plan is the best plan.
Elder Ron Rasband was invited to speak at this April's conference.
Elder Rasband was a neighbor of ours when I was in high school and spoke at my dad's funeral. When he quoted a familiar scripture, I felt a warmth in my body and an assurance that this was the answer to my question:
"... I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your heart, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." —Doctrine & Covenants 84:88
I felt that Elle was telling me that not only the Lord, but she too, will be with me throughout my life.
Q. How can I move forward with joy instead of so much pain?
A. From Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk, "Grateful in Any Circumstance," I was reminded to not concentrate on what I've lost, to give thanks in all things, and to have a grateful disposition.
"Why does God command us to be grateful?... Our loving Heavenly Father knows that choosing to develop a spirit of gratitude will bring us true joy and great happiness.... In any circumstance, our sense of gratitude is nourished by the many and sacred truths we do know: that our Father has given His children the great plan of happiness; that through the Atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ, we can live forever with our loved ones; that in the end, we will have glorious, perfect, and immortal bodies...; and that our tears of sadness and loss will be replaced with an abundance of happiness and joy, 'good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.'... The more we learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more we realize that endings here in mortality are not endings at all. They are merely interruptions—temporary pauses that one day will seem small compared to the eternal joy awaiting the faithful...."
Q. How can I accept this new life as my best life instead of feeling cheated and that my life would have and could have been so much better?
A. "You were tutored by Him before you came into this life. He helped you understand and accept that you would have trials, tests, and opportunities perfectly chosen just for you. You learned that our Father had a plan of happiness to get you safely through those trials and that you would help bring others safely through theirs."—President Henry B. Eyring in the General Women's Conference
It's been over two years since Elle's death, and I still feel a constant inner battle to stem the tide of grief. But these talks and others were needed reminders and reinforcements for me that this life is not a series of random, unfortunate events. As I strive to live a righteous life, I have the assurance that I'm living God's plan for me. And I trust that His plan is the best plan.
1 comment:
Wow. Just wow....I had an amazing talk with Katelyn because of your post. Thanks for sharing, it was very meaningful to both me and Katelyn.
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