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Dear Missionaries,
Elder Jeremy sent word about his departure from the MTC to begin his labors in Naga Mission, Philippine Islands. I'm sure that most of you who are now serving have gone through that feeling of being anxious to begin, but a bit apprehensive of what you will be experiencing. In a few months he will be settled in and "anxiously engaged." I hope all of you in the mission field will reflect very often on the great support team you have in your homes and wards and all over the Church. And I repeat that even the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve remember you in their prayers--even their meeting in on Thursday mornings in the Temple. Today I would like to share with you a story that was related by Elder David A. Bednar. The story begins with a young father who had been active in the Church as a boy abut had chosen a different path during his teenage years. After serving in the military, he married a lovely girl, settled down and began raising a family. One day without any warning, their little four-year-old girl became critically ill and had to be hospitalized. For the first time in years the father dropped to his knees and pleaded with the Lord to spare his little girl's life. Still her condition worsened. Soon this father sensed that he might lose his precious daughter, and his prayers changed. He began asking that the Lord's will be done; shortly the little girl went into a coma. Then the young couple prayed for the opportunity to hold their precious daughter in an embrace one more time while she was awake. The daughter's eyes opened and she reached out her frail arms for that prayed-for final embrace. And then she was gone. This father recognized that their prayers had been answered. A loving Father in Heaven had comforted their hearts. You and I can imagine the rest of the story (although it was not given in print). For parents to have come so far that they were ready for the Lord's will to be done just speaks volumes. I feel comfortable in assuming that this father lost no time in making the stride to become temple-worthy. Deepest love for our dear ones can change our loves. It has been a few decades since I was in your position. I still recall the deep feelings I had for members and non-members alike. Oh, I wish I could know whether some of those faltering members and "undecided" prospectives had been fired by the Spirit to make the right decisions and avail themselves of the blessings of the temple. Because of my bad fall the week before Thanksgiving, I have been unable to attend the temple. Today my son Dave said he would be able to help me through a session this week at the new temple in Brigham City where our ward is having a session together. You'll probably never know how deeply grateful I am for this opportunity again. Oh, how blessed we are!!! God bless you in this wonderful work. You're in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Grandpa Taylor | ||||||||
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