My parents make the gospel a reality. They’ve always incorporated gospel teachings into every day topics. I didn’t grow up thinking that there were church issues and then everything else. They were all the same.
I went camping with my husband’s family last weekend and Sunday morning we woke up and got ready for church. Someone made the comment, “You’re on vacation.” This didn’t make sense to me. My father taught us that you ALWAYS go to church.
I only know of one time that my dad didn’t go to church. I was in college and he had foot surgery the day before. I asked my mom and she said that it’s the only time she knows of in the last 30 years, since they’ve been married, that he didn’t go to church. The next week he got on his crutches and hobbled to church.
Some people say, “The Lord will understand.” In this case they meant ‘He will understand if you miss a couple weeks of church.’
My dad always replies to this statement with, “I don’t know whether he does or not. BUT… he is not going to say ‘I’m disappointed in you for going.’”
I’ve heard my dad say this several times and every time it impacts me. He uses it in all kinds of circumstances, not just with church attendance. Tithing, temple attendance, Sabbath day activities, home teaching, Monday nights, anything that is a Spirit of the Law concept, and anything that is a Letter of the Law concept as well.
My dad’s obedience and zeal to keep the commandments has been an example to me in times when I wonder what to do. When people say, “The Lord doesn’t expect that much” those words my dad uses come to me, “Maybe He doesn’t, BUT… he isn’t going to be disappointed if I do.”
Through this, I have learned to try to impress the Lord with my actions instead of others.
My dad is one smart guy.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Married and He's Still Teaching Me
I know my father is still alive and probably (hopefully) will be for a while, but I want to write down the things I remember about him now. I can make a running memory of him. I want to do this, because I respect and look up to my dad more than any person that I know personally.
My first memoir is a memory from last week.
We were having a discussion about what will happen to us after we die. We were specifically talking about the three degrees of Glory. My dad said, “These three degrees are evidence of our Heavenly Father’s love for us. If we can only live, or only want to live, a Telestial law we can go to that kingdom. If we want to be good people, but don’t want to serve others-maybe want to be a little selfish, that is a Terrestrial law and we can go to that kingdom. Our loving Heavenly Father will give us as much Glory as we want. As much Glory as we are willing to work for.”
This got me thinking about what I really want. Sometimes I think it might be nice to say I’ve done enough. I’m happy with following the easy commandments, and that’s good enough.
To this idea of thinking he commented, “Sometimes the lower Glories seem good enough, but I know that only in the Highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom will I be able to have an Eternal family. I can’t imagine what it would be like to spend Eternity alone. It would be so lonely and sad to not have my sweetheart for eternity.”
In jest I said, “And your wonderful kids.”
He said, “Yes, but you will be with your sweetheart. I don’t want to be alone. I want to be with my sweetheart forever. So I’m willing to do whatever I have to, to make it to that kingdom with that Glory.”
This really put things into a greater perspective for me. I always knew I wanted Celestial Glory, but being recently married, I could 100% relate to the wanting to be with my eternal companion, well, eternally. I always thought about kids and a family forever. I will have my kids, just like my parents will have me, but my dad made a lasting impression on me: My kids will grow up and have eternal companions of their own. I will have Matt and he will have me.
Realizing that I don’t want to be alone for Eternity either, I know that I must nurture and create a loving bond and relationship with my husband so he’ll want to be with me forever.
Man my dad is smart.
My first memoir is a memory from last week.
We were having a discussion about what will happen to us after we die. We were specifically talking about the three degrees of Glory. My dad said, “These three degrees are evidence of our Heavenly Father’s love for us. If we can only live, or only want to live, a Telestial law we can go to that kingdom. If we want to be good people, but don’t want to serve others-maybe want to be a little selfish, that is a Terrestrial law and we can go to that kingdom. Our loving Heavenly Father will give us as much Glory as we want. As much Glory as we are willing to work for.”
This got me thinking about what I really want. Sometimes I think it might be nice to say I’ve done enough. I’m happy with following the easy commandments, and that’s good enough.
To this idea of thinking he commented, “Sometimes the lower Glories seem good enough, but I know that only in the Highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom will I be able to have an Eternal family. I can’t imagine what it would be like to spend Eternity alone. It would be so lonely and sad to not have my sweetheart for eternity.”
In jest I said, “And your wonderful kids.”
He said, “Yes, but you will be with your sweetheart. I don’t want to be alone. I want to be with my sweetheart forever. So I’m willing to do whatever I have to, to make it to that kingdom with that Glory.”
This really put things into a greater perspective for me. I always knew I wanted Celestial Glory, but being recently married, I could 100% relate to the wanting to be with my eternal companion, well, eternally. I always thought about kids and a family forever. I will have my kids, just like my parents will have me, but my dad made a lasting impression on me: My kids will grow up and have eternal companions of their own. I will have Matt and he will have me.
Realizing that I don’t want to be alone for Eternity either, I know that I must nurture and create a loving bond and relationship with my husband so he’ll want to be with me forever.
Man my dad is smart.
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