Our final plan of salvation outing was a trip to the cemetery.
What is this thing called death
This quiet passing in the night?
Tis not the end but genesis
of better worlds and greater light.
O God, touch Thou my aching heart
And calm my troubled, haunting fears.
Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure,
Give strength and peace beyond my tears.
There is no death, but only change,
With recompense for vict’ry won.
The gift of Him who loved all men,
The Son of God, the Holy One.
Gordon B. Hinckley
(Always loved President Hinckley's poem!!)
We talked about what happens when people die. We talked about the spirit world. We discussed the reality of the Savior's resurrection and the reassuring truth that we can be together with people we love even after the separation of death. It was a meaningful, memorable conclusion to our little series of field-trips - maybe my favorite of them all. The cemetery proved the perfect spot to testify that Christ will truly come to earth again and that resurrection will really happen.
O death where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
9 comments:
I love it. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Love it. Love you.
Ditto to the other two comments: Love it.
ps. Cemetery = not morbid. When we were little Amy always wanted to go on a picnic to the cemetery. I think it's because it's so peaceful there.
Lori and Wes,
My prayers and thoughts are with you. I have been reading your blog from time to time, and I want to thank you strengthening my testimony and for showing such faith in the face of adversity.
Lori, I don't have your email, but I would love to get it! Sorry that this is going to be a long comment!
Scott and I have been blessed by two beautiful children. Ezra is 4and our daughter, Daisy, is now living with our Father in Heaven. Daisy died 2 months ago - having humbly met the challenges of Tay Sachs disease.
This trial has been the most difficult one we have ever faced. But God has not abandoned us. We have been blessed with a beautiful child that is ours for eternity! My testimony of the plan of Salvation, the eternal nature of families, and in the sealing power of the Priesthood have increased exponentially. I have no doubt in my mind about that we are sealed together forever - this truth is so powerful, it is literally tangible to me.
When Daisy was at home under Hospice care, there was a special spirit in our home. While Daisy lost the ability to do a lot of things, she never lost the ability to love. All she wanted to do was to be loved, hugged, and kissed. Her spirit was (and is) so beautiful, so precious, so valiant. Even though her body had disabilities, her spirit does not. Scott and I thank God every day for sending such a perfect, beautiful child to our family. She is such a blessing. Both of our kids are. We know Daisy wouldn't be on this earth for very long, but we felt tremendous peace in the Plan of Salvation and the nature of eternal families. Heavenly Father gave us a tender mercy and blessed our home with the Spirit. When Daisy was in her last few weeks - she was so, so close to the veil - we could not help but feel the increase in spiritual power that extends beyond the grave. Our home felt like a sanctuary, a temple. There were many, many unseen angels ministering to her as she was preparing to make the transition to the spirit world.
Lori and Wes, I know these things to be true. I am so grateful for my testimony and knowledge of eternal families. I just wish that I could learn them in an easier, less-painful way. But that is not always how Heavenly Father works. As Neal A. Maxwell described Joseph Smith's experience in Liberty Jail as a "Prison Temple", so too are these heart-renching, gut-wrending trials to our spiritual growth.
I hope I am not being a portender of gloom - miracles happen everyday. The ward had a special fast for Daisy that (God willing) she be healed. I bore my testimony that Sunday and thanked everyone that had fasted for Daisy - their prayers and faith had not been in vain! Daisy will be healed - in the Resurrection we will ALL be healed - and the miracle that happened was that Scott and I gained a rock-solid testimony of that truth.
I pray for you and Wes, and your sweet children.
I don't blog anymore, but in June we had a photographer gets some portraits of our family - here is the website - it says more about Daisy's health condition. http://natanephotography.com/wordpress/2010/06/19/my-little-hero-granite-bay-family-photographer/
love to you! (and again, forgive the long entry!:)
Dearest Anne - THANK YOU!
What an interesting string of events: a few days ago at the cafeteria at BYU I ran into Miriam Moody Wood. We chatted just briefly, but she wrote to me via facebook yesterday and mentioned your recent loss. I had been thinking about you ever since reading her message, only to come home from a meeting tonight and find your comment here!
You can e-mail me at lori_truman@byu.edu
I ached as I looked through those beautiful, beautiful family pictures. But your words inspire me, Anne. Truly, I cherish stories like yours - stories of people who chose faith in the face of pain and loss. Thank you so much for sharing your testimony.
We are so grateful for your prayers - and we will certainly include you in ours.
Thank you again for writing!! You're message was a true tender mercy tonight! I hope we can keep in touch over the coming months!
I'm a little late here, but wow, Anne, your comments were amazing. What an amazing example you are of faith and of true eternal perspective.
And Lori, I love you trip to the cemetery. I think all children should be taught the sacred and, as Jeanine said, peaceful nature of the cemetery (although, I will always chuckle when I think of my 3-year old nephew's reaction to my grandmother's burial. He said to me, "You want to see something scary?" He then took my hand and walked me over to the opening where they were going to lower her casket. But even he has an overall good memory of the cemetery, I think, as he still prays to "please bless Grandma Wright").
Thank you for sharing this, I think when our kids are old enough to understand this is a great way to approach this topic.
Talk about sacred writings...Feelings of Faith and conviction. Talk about Women of Worth..... That is you. Love each and everyone of you.
The email I just sent you has been sent back to me so I will post it as a comment on this post, it seems appropriate.
Dearest Lori,
My heart is broken for you. I can only imagine the whirlwind of feelings you have.
I have been blessed by your faith throughout this struggle. You have influenced my life, specifically the way I mother tremendously. As a new convert to the church at BYU, I did not have many exemplary lives to look to. Your and Wes' lives have been the ideal LDS life to me. Thank you for sharing so openly your faith, your love, and your life on your blog. I have cherished every word. It will be such a blessing to Lucy and Spencer to have such well-kept memories of their father.
I look forward to witnessing your and Wes' reunion on the other side of the veil. What a joyous occasion it will be!
I posted a video about Emma and Joseph Smith on your FB profile. I think you'll be able to personally identify with most of it and I hope it brings you some comfort.
Wish we could be at the funeral to celebrate the wonderful life Wes lived. And mostly to hug you! You are in our prayers.
Love and *hugs*,
Deanna
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