I know that [God] loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things. --1 Nephi 11:17
If you don't seek to know anything else, seek to know that you are God's child and that he loves you.
I'm convinced that he's in the details of our lives. This weekend we drove to Ashton, ID for the baptism and confirmation of a nephew. Whenever we drive to Ashton we pass by Rigby, which is where my dad grew up. I have many memories of traveling there as a child to visit my grandparents. Grandpa Merlin was a music teacher (he taught me to play the clarinet) and on nights and weekends he tuned pianos all over East Idaho. He's probably a big reason I love music to this day. Anyway, I had been asked to play piano for the service. As I played prelude music the idea to look in the piano bench for something very specific came to mind. After finishing the song I had been playing I stood up and lifted the lid of the piano bench. In the very middle of the lid was what I hoped I would see: My Grandpa's business card, glued to the inside of the piano bench lid:
Merlin Whatcott
Piano Tuning and Regulation
"Take time to tune and have a tune on time"
Written on every such card, in my Grandpa's handwriting, is a list of dates--the log of service appointments when he tuned, adjusted, and cleaned that piano. The cherry on top of this little experience, and the real evidence, for me, that this was more than just a coincidence, was the final entry in that tiny service log, which was from 1982--the year I was born!
I was happy to be with my family on this trip, and very happy to be participating in our nephew's baptism and confirmation. There was also an ever-present temptation for me to feel a bit anxious about all the unfinished tasks waiting for me at home. I had this talk to work on, today's meetings to prepare for, and a host of other things I could also been worrying about. But in the midst of all that, heavenly father helped me see that he is aware of me and my family. He cares for me.
New song: #1047, "He Cares for Me"
He knows the stars that shine at night.
He made the burning sun.
And ev’ry creature, great or small—
He numbers ev’ry one.
He also knows my face and voice.
He loves me perfectly.
Our Heav’nly Father knows all things;
He knows and cares for me.He hears the sound of ocean waves
That crash upon the shore.
And when the rain clouds fill the sky,
He hears the thunder roar.
He also hears the quiet words
I pray on bended knee.
Our Heav’nly Father hears all things;
He hears and cares for me.He loves me whether I am sad
Or happy or in pain.
He understands my troubles, and
He even knows my name.
For He’s my Heav’nly Father;
His child I’ll always be.
Our Heav’nly Father loves us all;
He loves and cares for me.Because God has hesed [or, covanental love] for those who have covenanted with Him, He will love them. He will continue to work with them and offer them opportunities to change. He will forgive them when they repent. And should they stray, He will help them find their way back to Him. The Everlasting Covenant, Russell M. Nelson
Alma 37:33 - The prophet Alma, the younger, taught his son Helaman:
Preach unto [the people] repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Because he cares for me, I can repent and have faith in Jesus Christ. I can be humble and meek and lowly in heart. I can withstand every temptation with my faith on the Lord Jesus Jesus Christ.
Can I share a few things I’m learning lately? These are probably things I've said before, but each time I share them, I seem to have learned them even more deeply and they are even more a part of me.
First, it takes a ward to run a ward!
It all works because we all do our little part (and because God is in charge). There's an old primary song that says: "For some must push and some must pull as we go marching up the hill", which reminds me of our upcoming stake trek--are you getting excited? Whether we will be on the trail with the youth or not, we can decide now to participate. The youth will be getting some firsthand experience about what it might have been like to be in a pioneer company. I wonder what we all can do to become closer with latter-day saints and family members who came before us?
How many ways do people serve in our ward? What ways are less noticed? What ways are more noticed?
We need people to bear their testimonies, and say prayers, and give talks, and teach lessons, and go on ministering visits--in this ward I have observed that children and youth often set the tone for the adults in these ways!
Speaking of youth setting the tone, I have a vision for Sunday morning at church. I imagine members arriving in the foyers, greeted by several smiling youth, eager to shake hands and learn names. The young women of the church have recently been given a brand new responsibility: Organizing the youth to minister by welcoming visitors and members as they enter the chapel. So come a little earlier and enjoy some time with the youth in the foyer before entering the chaple to reverently prepare for the sacrament.
I want to rejoice every time I observe someone do a simple right thing, and I see these things often:
- Like when Ward members sustain other members in new callings
- When young women and other youth greet members as they arrive at sacrament meeting
- When Aaronic priesthood holders administer the sacrament, both here at the chapel, and in homes when assigned
- When youth presidencies engage in really leading their classes and quorums
- When adult leaders and advisors put in the time necessary to prepare youth to lead effectively, and then step back and allow it to happen, giving support as needed.
- When someone comes trembling to confess of their sins I want to shout hallelujah!
- When someone exercises the priesthood after a long time, having not done so.
- When I get to issue a temple recommend to someone who hasn't had one for a long time.
- When I hear people pray for needed snow and rain, because we really are in need of it right now!
Second, God loves us, his children!
There have been moments when I have felt a vivid sense of our Heavenly Father's love for the members of our ward. I identify more personally with our Savior, Jesus Christ, and his great atoning mercy on behalf of us all. He rescued each one of us with his own blood. I have witnessed the Holy Ghost guiding and comforting members of our ward in the midst of some heartrending circumstances. Simply put, I know that God loves his children! It's not that I didn't know that before, but I know it even better now.
Third, you are all right on schedule!
As I greet and see members each Sunday morning as you arrive at sacrament meetings I experience a rush of delight. Would you believe that I experience the same rush of delight whether you arrive a half hour early, or 59 minutes late, or anywhere in between? It's absolutely true. To those who are tuned into the livestream--you did it! You're here! I think of you every week and hope you feel edified spiritually as you too are showing up for church, just in a different way. So, when someone arrives late, please know that a part of me wants to stand up and cheer--"you're here, and you belong here, because you're part of this community, this stake of Zion!" So much better late than never. I think our Heavenly Father feels the same way. Whether we arrive back to his presence early or late, he feels the same delight and joy. You are right on schedule! Keep going!