Katherine called me on my wedding anniversary. She asked me if I remembered. I had forgotten. I have always had a difficult time remembering, which is a surprise since my thoughts are always with her. Now, I mostly think of the anniversary of her passing. I guess because I now use that date as a kind of countdown to when I'll be with Marianne again.
It's amazing how fast time has gone by. In the Book of Mormon Jacob described our lives passing by as if it were a dream.
I want you to know that I feel Marianne's presence everyday. I know she is concerned about each of us and somehow has the ability to be next to us.
Joseph Smith gave this interesting observation:
“When men are prepared they are better off to go hence....The spirits of the just are exalted to a greater and more glorious work; hence they are blessed in their departure to the world of spirits. Enveloped in flaming fire, they are not far from us, and know and understand our thoughts, feelings, and motions......”
Consider what Brigham Young said:
“I can say with regard to parting with our friends, and going ourselves, that I have been near enough to understand eternity so that I have had to exercise a great deal more faith to desire to live than I ever exercised in my whole life to live. The brightness and glory of the next apartment is inexpressible. It is not encumbered....so that when we advance in years we have to be stubbing along and to be careful lest we fall down. We see our youth, even, frequently stubbing their toes and falling down. But yonder, how different! They move with ease and like lightning.”
Also, Orson Pratt:
“How do we know, when this spirit is freed from this mortal tabernacle, but that all our senses will be greatly enlarged? Unclothe the spirit, and instead of exposing a small portion of it about the size of a pea to the action of the rays of light, the whole of it would be exposed. I think we could then see in different directions at once...I believe we shall be freed, in the next world, in a great measure, from these narrow, contracted methods of thinking. Instead of thinking in one channel, and following up one certain course of reasoning to find a certain truth, knowledge will rush in from all quarters....informing the spirit, and giving understanding concerning ten thousand things at the same time; and the mind will be capable of receiving and returning all.
I know the pain of separation from your Mom. The Lord said, “Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch, that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die.”
I just want to remind you that she is with us. I think more than we would ever imagine. I see her influence in each one of you. When I see Frannie get really excited about something I see Marianne. That is exactly how I remember her when we first met. She was so excited about life.
I want you to know that our Heavenly Father is aware of our family and has a plan for us. I tell my seminary kids that if they will do their best to live close to the spirit, as they look back from time to time they will notice an outline to their lives. Therefore, there is nothing to fear.
Joseph Smith wrote, "At the first organization in heaven we were all present and saw the Savior chosen and appointed and the plan of salvation made, and we sanctioned it." ...and to Brigham Young he said, "Be sure to tell the people to keep the Spirit of the Lord; and if they will, they will find themselves just as they were organized by our Father in Heaven before we came into the world.
Your Mom's passing is part of the outline of our life. I could name a dozen events that proceeded her passing to let us know that this is true. As difficult as it is to not be able to see and talk to her there is a wonderful irony. She can be with you more now than she could in mortality. I am so grateful for this knowledge. Remember the promise in her patriarchal blessing:
I bless you with the power of discernment in the raising of your children in both spiritual and temporal matters. With this power you will always know when they are troubled and in need of your help, and thus will be able to be with them during the most critical times in their lives to help them make the right decisions.
Love,
DAD
DAD
