Life's Lessons Learned

So I was planning on making this post last week, but Melissa's post was so great I decided to wait a week and let it stay as the most recent post for a while so more people could enjoy it.  I think it was the perfect post for the place that we are currently in.  If you haven't yet, be sure to take time to read it.

Now on to my post.  I have been planning on posting about another book that I have read for a little over a month, but I kept thinking of other things that I wanted to post about.  This week I feel it is time that I write about this book - Life's Lessons Learned by Elder Dallin H. Oaks.  This book was a gift from Melissa's grandparents for my birthday last year and I didn't have a chance to read it until recently.  I am glad that I didn't read it right away.

In the very first chapter he talks about his father's death when he was very young.  Despite all of the blessing and prayers made on his behalf, he still passed away.  Elder Oaks said that he learned that "Neither faith nor blessing can invoke a blessing that is contrary to the will of God."  From the time i received the phone call by the Good Samaritan that informed me about Melissa's accident, I knew that Ethne was the biggest concern.  She was breathing but unresponsive.  Although I was constantly praying for my whole family, she was certainly the biggest concern and focus of those prayers.  Despite all of my faith and those that I called to help me with their prayers, she still didn't make it.  At first I felt that I was being ignored and that my faith and prayers were being ignored, or maybe I just didn't have enough faith to save her.  Eventually I realized that part of my prayers included that she would be fine, and in all honesty, she is.  Just not in the way I wish she was.  Although I had learned to accept what happened as God's will, reading these words proved to be very helpful and reassuring that maybe my faith isn't as weak as I thought it might be.  It gave me a greater understanding into our will vs. God's will.


As I continued to read about the lessons he learned in life from his different experiences, I couldn't help but notice that the handful of chapters that followed seemed to be similar lessons that I have at least started to learn in life.  Then, as I continued to read I looked at other lessons that I felt I needed to be taught from his experiences.  Even as I write this it gives me a chance to reflect on many of the other great people in my life who have taught me so many great lessons, starting with my parents and my grandparents who continue to teach and inspire me today.  I feel an especially great love for my wife and children too, as they continue to improve my life and help me grow.  I still even feel like Ethne is influencing and teaching me more than I could've learned if I hadn't known her.

Ethne and my Granddad Burt, just two of some of the greatest influences in my life.

As I was approaching the part when he talks about his wife's death, I was both excited and nervous.  I wasn't sure what to expect.  I was a little worried because of the memories it might bring up about loosing Ethne, and even knowing that I could've lost Melissa at any moment, but everything that he said seemed quite reassuring and comforting.

Elder Oaks

This is a great book and I recommend it to everyone as a great and fast read.  It really doesn't take very long and everyone can really benefit from these lessons learned in this great Apostle's life.


Thank you Elder Oaks, for taking the time to share.


-Lawrence