"born of goodly parents..."

I have challenged myself to read the Book of Mormon once through before the start of the fall semester. It's going to be a lot of reading but I know I can do it. As I read the Book of Mormon over and over again I read things, understand things, and have reveled things unto me that I have not seen before. It's amazing how the Spirit works when you're in tune. 

As I began reading I was stuck on the first verse, 1 Nephi 1:1 which reads " I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days."

I read it again but the beginning went like this, "I, [Celia], having been born of goodly parents, there I was taight somewhat in all the learning of my [parents]". Now "goodly" can mean wealth and Nephi did come from a well off home but I read it more than just material wealth. I read the word "goodly" as richness of the gospel. I began to reflect upon my own life as a daughter of my parents, of my parents faith and sacrifice, and of the person I have become and striving to become due to my parents teachings. My faith began with my parents. They taught me what faith was before anything else. You can say my testimony of the gospel began with their teachings. It began in the home. My parents have taught me many things that have kept me going through the years.

One thing they have taught me was the power of prayer. Ever since I could remember we had family prayer every night kneeling around their bed. Every night we took turns saying the prayer. We all basically said the same things, we said thanks for the day and asked to watch over each family member. Now that I am far from home and don't have family prayer I make sure to include those basic things in my prayers. I always ask Heavenly Father to watch over my family. I guess you can say I do out of habit but it's something I sincerely mean. 

Another things my parents have taught me has been in times of trial and hardships the best thing to do is turn to the Lord. My parents have had their fair share of trials over the years, big and small. Although I may have not understood them at the time I knew my parents faced them with faith in the Lord. As I look back I see how their actions reflected on their trust in the Lord. During this past school year I had to look back on my parents' example of their faith and trust in the Lord and I continue to follow their example. Times will become harder but I know putting my trust in the Lord everything will turn out to be okay.

Even though I'm not living at home I still look toward my parents' teachings to get through this crazy/hard/insane/interesting/random/fun life. All they have taught me has never gone to waste or wasn't something I needed. Far from home they still teach me. I will never stop learning from my parents. 

 

Some Go Young

Recently a fellow peer of mine passed away. He was hiking the Y mountain and had a tragic accident. He was only 22 years old. We were both members of the Cougar Marching Band. Despite not being in the same section and only being members of the same band it still saddens me. The marching band is a family to me away from my family while I am in Utah so something likes this really hits me. I remember him always smiling and enjoying each moment in the band. He will surely will be missed by all in the band.  

His death brought back memories and struggles I have had with death especially with the death of young people I have known. The first time I had to face the death of someone was when I was 7 years old. I remember it clearly when my mother told me my older cousin passed away. He was only 17 years old, one week away from high school graduation. I asked my mother why he died so young. At this point in my life I thought only old people died. Her response was something along the lines of "because God needed him in Heaven more than we did." For a 7 year old it helped me understand there were things to be done in Heaven after one had passed away. At that point in my life I didn't fully understand what happened after death but my mother's answer would be something I would and will refer to in the years to come.

Many young people have died, young people who wouldn't get to experience many of life experiences. When I was 15 years I had to deal with this again. Someone who I grew up in primary passed away and he as well was only 17 years old. At this point I felt anger toward God because He let someone so young die without experiencing so many things in life. I was wondering why he would let this young man along with other youth and children who die so young. I began to question this a lot. I went back to the answer my mother gave me years before, "because God needed [them] in Heaven more than we did." Sometimes we don't know what God has in store for each one of yes. He has a bigger plan that we can't understand. He doesn't forget about any of His children. The Plan of Salvation exists for all. No one is lost after death, no matter how long they live during this mortal state. The blessings of the Gospel gives one hope and a peace of mind.  

Yes at first I was feeling, "why God, why?" But I remembered what my mother told me, "because God needed him in Heaven more than we did." My prayers go out to his family. He is playing the French horn in Heaven for all to hear and preaching the Word of God to many.  

"Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of  happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow." Alma 40:11-12