I haven’t written on my blog in over a month. I needed to
take a break. I needed to figure some stuff out. I needed to figure out what I
even wanted to talk about. I needed to figure out what I wanted. I needed to
figure out what mattered…
Each one of those statements is selfish, I NEEDED. What I
have learned is that what I need is to become closer to my Savior and become
his disciple. Because as long as I am following him, and doing his work, all
that other stuff doesn’t matter.
Yesterday the world found out that Elder L. Tom Perry passed
away. This news was heartbreaking to me. These men have given their lives to
serve and be true Disciples of Christ. Elder Perry was an incredible man, and
dedicated his life to the work of the Lord. We can learn great things from
Elder Perry, as well as all of the brethren.
Elder L. Tom Perry was a man to look up to. He served a
mission in 1942, after which he joined the Marines. Later he would become a
bishopric counselor, stake presidency counselor, high councilor, and stake
president. Before being called to the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Perry served
as an Assistant to the Twelve. He then spent the last 41 years serving as an
Apostle of God.
In the last General Conference, Elder Perry stated that, “Family is the center of life and is the key to eternal
happiness.” These words were divinely inspired, and we would do good to
remember them in our daily lives. Whether we are single or married with kids,
we are all striving towards the same goal, to gain eternal life, and live
forever with our families.
In 1995, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles released “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” This document
states, “The Family is ordained of God…Successful
marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith,
prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome
recreational activities.” Each of these principles allows us to become a
disciple of Christ.
In today’s world, the family is being attacked from every
angle. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we
believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. We believe that we have a
responsibility to have children, and the privilege to raise Heavenly Fathers
spirit children.
Heavenly Father has entrusted us with His children. With
that trust, we have a responsibility to be worthy of raising his children. We
have the responsibility to teach them the teachings of Jesus Christ, and all
the gospel principles. We have a responsibility to give them all the tools
necessary in order to make their own choices, hoping that they will Choose The
Right.
I look forward to the day when I am able to find a worthy
priesthood holder who will take me to the temple and allow me to be sealed to
him. I look forward to the day when my future husband and me will bring
children into this world, and start a family. The Family Proclamation states
that, “Family is central to the Creator’s plan for
the eternal destiny of His children.” Elder Perry stated, “Family is the center of life and is the key to eternal
happiness.” Family is important, family matters.
The last lesson we learned from Elder Perry is how much
Family matters, and how important it is to our eternal happiness. I hope that
we can all read his words and learn what we need to learn. I hope that we can
remember and pay tribute to the amazing man that Elder L. Tom Perry was. He was
a true disciple of Christ, and will continue to be a disciple of Christ on the
other side of the veil.
