Greatness, in a profoundly humble sort of way

I wonder sometimes if others who observe me in my observation of my faith think me to be a blind follower. I have always been an active, faithful participant in my church, but that is not to say I haven't had periods of wondering. I have wrestled with doctrine, I have agonized over human foibles, I have at times wanted to distance myself from cultural practices. Also, I have struggled to reconcile what I have been taught with what the world teaches. Always, I have come out on the believing side of the internal struggles.

There are a few truths that -- no matter the state of my testimony in the Gospel of Jesus Christ -- I have never doubted and which resonate so strongly, that all I need do is remember them and I am filled with peace and comfort and renewed testimony in the truthfulness of the Gospel in its entirety.

The first is that God is real and that his son Jesus Christ is real, and they know me very personally. They want me to succeed, spiritually and otherwise. Most importantly, I need them and would flounder through this existence in a big way without their direct influence in my life.

The second is that God speaks through a mouthpiece called a prophet, even today. Especially today.



I have great love and reverence for this man. I am filled with gratitude that he dedicated his entire life to serving his God and to serving my family. I will miss him.

Comments

go boo boo said…
That was beautiful. I will miss him too.
January 27, 2008 9:37 PM
Anonymous said…
All I can say is "amen". Amye
January 27, 2008 9:47 PM
AmyJune said…
I am so sad to loose him. What a wonderful man and prophet he was.
January 27, 2008 11:54 PM
Heidi said…
He will be greatly missed - I'm sure the reunion with Majorie was very sweet indeed!
January 28, 2008 1:20 AM
Sarah said…
Very nicely said. What a remarkable man and prophet of God.
January 28, 2008 8:43 AM
everydayjami said…
Well said Emily. I echo your sentiments. He was such a wonderful leader.
January 28, 2008 9:21 AM
whit said…
Thank you for your well put words Emily.
January 28, 2008 11:16 AM
Carrie said…
Perfectly said.
January 28, 2008 12:54 PM
Anonymous said…
Emily, I just want to add a big amen to everything you said. I especially love the way you describe wrestling with doctrine, etc. but always coming out on the believing side. I have had similar wrestles and those same basic doctrines that you mentioned (God is real, so is His Son, They love us...) that keep me on the believing side. Beautifully stated.
January 28, 2008 4:58 PM
Anonymous said…
Well put. I can't remember a time when he wasn't in the First Presidency. What a life of service.
January 28, 2008 9:11 PM
Heidi said…
I believe your husband was just arriving in the mission and became my companion when he became the prophet. Seems like yesterday, but so long ago. I remember it very clearly and will remember his passing forever as well. --Andrew
January 29, 2008 1:23 PM
Chelle said…
I get the feeling that you are NOT a blind follower, Emily.

It is my opinion that weak faith is unexamined (blind) faith. The struggle, as you really think and wrestle, even, with issues and points of doctrine, is part of the beauty-- don't you think?

This was beautifully written. Thank you.
January 30, 2008 11:47 AM
Becky said…
That was very touching, Emily. I will miss him greatly, too.
January 30, 2008 9:54 PM
C. Jane Kendrick said…
I it so true. When I was on the mission sometimes I would boil it all down to "President Hinckley knows it is true and I know President Hinckley is true, so I am going with it."
January 31, 2008 12:04 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Another taboo topic: money

I don't have a lot of real visible or artistic talents, but one talent that has served me well is an ability to manage and organize money well. A few of my sisters-in-law have asked me how I do the family budget, so this is a straight up accounting of how I do the accounting. When we get a paycheck: 10% tithing right off the top Then, with the remainder (net minus tithing), I divy it up into percentages and put money into different "funds" -- that I keep track of in the back of my paycheck because I'm old school like that. Mortgage: I figure out the percentage it will take to cover my mortgage. Usually 29-30%. I think this percentage needs to stay under 35% of take-home after tithing. Baby steps: 20% goes to meeting financial goals a la Dave Ramsey's baby steps. This means that you focus on one thing at a time, leaving the rest so that your money is not so thinly spread and you can make visible progress. This presupposes that one has abandoned using credit, and i...
Read more

Two things

Image
First and foremost, happy birthday to my wonderful mom! I honestly don't know anyone more generous, giving or good with people. I like to think of myself as being generous, giving and good with people, but I've got nothing on her . She schools me, bigtime. Some of the unique things that make my mom my mom: She loves my children absolutely, which is a joy and a comfort to me. When she is around, they prefer her to me. She would rather be with her grandchildren than out with the adults, but does not relax when they are around. It's constant counting heads, making snowcones, taking off too-warm clothing, changing diapers, getting drinks. It's exhausting, and she's good at it. And she loves it. (I'm pretty sure.) She hates flying, but flies all over the place, because travel and culture and enriching experiences and seeing family trump her fears every time. She also hates bridges. And swimming. And confrontation. And cooking. And bad grammar. And dopey people. And a...
Read more