murmur, murmur, murmur

I love all the songs in the primary children's song book, but one of the kids' favorites is Nephi's Courage. (Do you think it's because of the hand motions?) And why not? It's a great story! What kid can't relate to being teased for wanting to do the right thing or has a big task ahead of them that they've never done before? What young boy or girl (grown ups, too) out there doesn't need more courage to do the hard things? We want heros that inspire us.

Certainly Nephi was courageous, but even more than courage, Nephi possessed a willing heart. Perhaps those two qualities can't thrive without the other. Reflecting over the last two years and rereading the passages of 1 and 2 Nephi again and again, I'm struck by how much attitude, not aptitude or opportunity, make the difference in a successful and happy 'journey'.

When I read 1 Nephi 3:5 & 6, it seems to me that Lehi is sad his older sons don't recognize his relationship with the Lord and his role as a prophet. They 'murmur' about the difficulty of the assignment. (Note that Lehi doesn't discount it is a challenging requirement.) Then, without any recorded comment from Nephi, Lehi knows Nephi will go without murmuring. For that willingness, Lehi responds, "go...and thou shalt be favored of the Lord..." It's only after these statements that we receive Nephi's inspiring words, "I will go and do..." How did Lehi know Nephi would respond positively? Can I think of specific responses I've made that put me in either the category of the 'doers' or the 'murmurers'? What possibilities opened up to Nephi due to his willing heart?

When Mark talks about Nephi, he often speaks of 1 Nephi 3:7 "I will go and do" and 2 Nephi 33:15 "I must obey" as the book ends of Nephi's life. I love that visual. I feel like I'm doing OK with the first end, now I only have to finish strong-and isn't the finish the most important part and the most difficult? So what do we do to maintain or even develop a willing heart?

Nephi knew the Lord would prepare a way-how? Through the same pattern that any principle becomes knowledge; through his own experiences and the experiences of others as taught by prophets-scriptures. [Alma 32, Bible Dictionary 'faith' and John 7:17-a pattern of persistent action and obedience.] Nephi had developed a relationship with God that Laman and Lemuel hadn't despite being taught by the same parent. (1 Nephi 2:12) Reflecting on the past and learning from it is a big part of that. We don't just read the scriptures, we apply those principles, or precepts, to our life. One of my favorite phrases in the scriptures is, "O remember, remember". And what is it that we're meant to remember?

'What great things the Lord has done for the children of men'. Each of those accounts deal with Him freeing them from bondage, healing them, guiding them, and being merciful to them-all shadows or types of the Atonement. To have a willing heart, we must come to know the Savior-who He is and why He is.

"As your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ grows, your desire to share the gospel [and obey any of God's commandments with a willing heart] will increase. You will feel, as Lehi did, the 'great importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth.' " (PMG pg 2) Increasing our understanding of the Atonement is a topic for another day, but I'll leave with one final thought. When we take the Sacrament, we do it in 'remembrance' and as a 'wittness' that we are willing, that we will remember, and that we will obey.

An Ode to Joy

'Oh may my soul commune with thee'
My thoughts reach out to heav'n.
With gratitude and love of God
For Grace; for hope within.

Joy is one of my sweetest friends and strongest champions. We met years ago when my husband was her home teacher. That's when her service to our family began. She never needed an official assignment or calling to start looking out for me; she just did it. I knew she loved me from the first minute she knew me. My kids soon adopted her and started referring to her as Grandma Pett. (I think some of the younger ones might be surprised to learn we're not blood relatives.) We traded off being each other's visiting teachers and visiting teaching companions. We served in yw's, scouts, then primary and then scouts again together (after we left for Arizona she and Whitney even joined up forces in RS again without me!). Despite the difference in our ages, she's one of my best friends.

She taught me so much and did it literally by example. She held my hand when I was sick. She didn't just tell me things would be better, she made them better. She brought food to the house for my family and brought my family to her house for food. She'd show up one day, and take my kids out for a special day-for their sake and for mine. She never asked what she could do to help; she just helped. And the truly incredible, amazing thing about this is, I was not the only one she did this for. She loves everyone she meets and shows it with her hands and her heart, not just with her words. She was involved in so many people's lives.

And she was happy. One morning as we sat in my living room, she told me it was because she made it a point to put God first in her life. That way she didn't have to worry about what would come second. She prayed every day to do what He wanted her to do and then went around trying to figure out what that was and to do it. That conversation has stayed with me for years. It changed me-not immediately, but subtly as I tested it out for myself and watched her lead. It was something I'd been taught before, but this time it hit home. Why? Me creo porque...I observed her do just that-put her trust completely in her Father in Heaven and what He had planned for her life; through years of being single, with no husband and no family (before I knew her), through the joy of a marriage later in life, standing by her husband as his health deteriorated and took him away much too soon, and then through more years of living alone. She really did it. She put her trust in God, and it really did make her incredibly joy full.

Some called her Marlene. Others Grandma. Still others Aunt Joy. But everyone I know refers to her with affection and admiration. I've never known anyone who thought ill of her. How many people can you say that about?

We're so fortunate to have 2 temples within our mission. We have the opportunity to go regularly. My dad sent me some family names. I spent this Friday with my other mom and dad in the Mesa temple helping lay some ground work to seal two daughters to their parents. I was thinking about this little family way back in my family tree; thinking about my family in California and Georgia; preparing thoughts for zone conference-the role of the Atonement in our desire to serve Christ to the end (D&C 20:37; and the last half of 2 Nephi)- and everything kept rolling back to "Aunt Joy", my buddy Marlene.

She taught me so much about family. She treasured all of her family. She was passionate about genealogy and temple work. She talked about seeing Lynn again with such a confusing mix of confidence and excited anticipation/patience; it was hard for me to understand. She rarely showed frustration, mental fatigue, and never lack of faith. She understood the Atonement on so many levels that I am just starting to grasp. Can you tell she's one of my heroes?

Marlene, I love you! Congratulations-what a happy day.

Role Models

Sometimes, the inability to capture incredible moments into words and phrases prevents me from writing anything at all, but we had a beautiful moment today. I don't want to lose the feeling of this memory due to something as trivial as writer's block. Here's my attempt to record a few thoughts in the hope that on a later date it will help restore some of the precious feelings I had today.

A week ago Sunday-after seminary graduation for Jessica, we slipped into a side room with Bishop Carter and the Sanft family. Mark ordained Taylor to the office of priest in the Aaronic Priesthood. Bishop Carter, President Sanft and Taylor's friend, Adam Sanft, joined in the circle. Private, beautiful and personal. Going to church today, we anticipated that Taylor would have the chance to bless the Sacrament. I was so happy we didn't have other meetings to attend today so that we could just be there. What a pleasant surprise it was when they approached Mark before the meeting and invited him to join Taylor at the Sacrament Table. Seeing the two of them sitting together changed the entire meeting for me.

As I watched and listened to Mark and then Taylor, in turn, purposefully offering the prayer for the bread and then the water, my heart was full to overflowing with peace and contentment. For the past two years, Taylor has attended the final testimony meetings of departing missionaries. As part of his final instruction and testimony to those missionaries, Mark shares insights about the last days of the Savior's life with an emphasis on the roles and gifts of both the Father and the Savior-expressly talking of the Sacrament. Taylor has had the opportunity to see the power of faith and repentance in the lives of investigators, friends and missionaries. His seen his personal testimony touch the lives of those he's had the opportunity to teach. He's seen people baptized and receive the blessing of confirmation. And now he has the privilege and responsibility to worthily administer the ordinance of the Sacrament to those who are renewing their covenants, their commitment and faith.

I listened with a mother's interest to Taylor's inflection on certain words. I watched as two of the wonderful men in my life stood side by side in a symbolic act of service to others, respect and honor for the Savior. I watched the emblems of the Savior's sacrifice pass from the hands of priesthood bearers to members of the congregation; then from members of the congregation to the people closest to them-their family and friends. That's the way the Savior's very personal gospel reaches our hearts; through the organization of His priesthood, from person to person. One at a time. That's the way Taylor has watched his dad minister and serve others. That's the way our parents before us did it and the way I hope our grandchildren learn it. Grandma and Grandpa Brasher gave him a beautiful box with a Picture of the Sacramento Temple on the cover. Inside are some antique glass Sacrament cups, a glass plate from my Dad's mission in Finland and some antique white handkerchiefs; tools so that he can bring the Sacrament to those that are housebound.

Later in the program, Taylor played a piano solo, Lord, I would Follow Thee. I couldn't keep my tears to myself. Who is this young man? He amazes me. How blessed I am to be his mother. How grateful I am that he has a father to show him who the Savior is and that Taylor has his own desire to follow Him. How could I ask for anything more than a son who understands his relationship and responsibility to the Savior and is willing and earnest to magnify it?

"The perfect role model for use of the holy priesthood is our Savior, Jesus Christ. He ministered with love, compassion, and charity" Elder Richard G. Scott