“…in an hour when ye think not…”
Today, I want to combine three relevant messages. They are the general themes of Doctrine and Covenants 45, Mother’s Day, and a small tribute to my sister who passed away unexpectedly two days ago.
I will start with my sister. She was the oldest of seven children; the two youngest of whom died in infancy. Without getting into details, her life was filled with challenging circumstances that required her to make difficult decisions. In every case, she made decisions that were best for her children. These decisions meant certain kinds of personal sacrifices. I am convinced she made the right choices. Her sacrifices and example gave her children a foundation they could stand on when facing their own difficulties in life. As a result, they are wonderful people. She is the epitome of motherhood.
For her siblings, she has been the glue that keeps us together. We share an incredibly close bond of love and commitment without getting into each other’s business. We will have to pick up the mantle she wore and do what she did. Her love and commitment to her brothers and sisters are exemplary. We have big shoes to fill.
Mothers everywhere do hard things for their children. They deserve more than a gift one day each year. The best gift we can give our mothers is to be the kind of people they raised us to be. They want us to be wise, confident, independent, and good. Simultaneously, they want us to maintain the bond made at birth between mother and child. Mothers never forget the first time they hold their babies in their arms. In return, each time we embrace them, they return to that moment of our birth.
But another embrace between us and our loving Savior will come. My sister’s case came at a time she or her family did not expect. It came like a thief in the night. My sister is one of the wise virgins in the parable of the ten. She had oil in her lamp and was admitted into the wedding feast to celebrate the covenant between the Savior and Redeemer and each of us who love him. She will be able to stand before the Father, in white robes, washed clean by the blood of the Lamb who was slain for the sins of the world.
The whole point of Doctrine and Covenants 45 is to give those who make covenants and keep the commandments hope for the time when they meet the Savior at his coming, or when they meet him when we return to him.
“Hearken, O ye people of my church, to whom the kingdom has been given; hearken ye and give ear to him who laid the foundation of the earth, who made the heavens and all the hosts thereof, and by whom all things were made which live, and move, and have a being. And again I say, hearken unto my voice, lest death shall overtake you; in an hour when ye think not the summer shall be past, and the harvest ended, and your souls not saved. Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him— Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified; Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.” (D & C 45:1-5)
Until we meet again…