Talking in Church

Sorry for the lack of posts, we've been busy.  We moved about a month ago and blogging has fallen by the wayside.  As per LDS tradition Lawrence and I were asked to speak in church shortly after our move and to introduce ourselves to the ward.  So we spoke, on Easter Sunday.

This was a talk I was prepared for, but not at the same time.  For about a week and a half I debated what to say when I introduced our family.  I just wasn't sure if I was ready for everyone to know about Ethne.  I was hesitant to see the looks of pity and the awkward apologies, but all the same I knew I would eventually have to share with at least some people about Ethne.  Then I started writing my talk and it came so fast and so easy.  I knew i had to share our story.  I couldn't deny Ethne and by not telling people about her that was what I was doing.

We were given two talks to choose from for our talks.  Mine was He is Risen by Pres. Monson,

given April 2010.  Here is the majority of my talk.  I left out our family introduction and my little disclaimer about how I talk fast when I get nervous.  Lawrence's talk will come in a few days.

Resurrection is defined, by Miriam Webster as the rising of Christ from the dead or the rising again to life of all the human dead before the final judgment.  The Bible dictionary further explains with this “The Resurrection consists in the uniting of a spirit body with a body of flesh and bones, never again to be divided.  The Resurrection shall come to all, because of Christ’s victory over death. Jesus Christ was the first to be resurrected on this earth.  Others had been brought back from death but were restored to mortality, whereas a resurrection means to become immortal, with a body of flesh and bone.”  “To obtain a resurrection with a celestial, exalted body is the center point of hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Resurrection of Jesus is the most glorious of all messages to mankind.”

 

A little over a year ago I found myself in a somewhat unique and very difficult position—one that I would not wish on even my worst enemies.  A little over a year ago I found myself contemplating life, its meaning, and our purpose here on this earth.  I found myself trying to understand the meaning of death and searching desperately for what President Monson calls “that noonday sun of revelation, by which we know that we lived before our birth into mortality…” that knowledge that “we shouted for joy because of the opportunity to come to this challenging yet necessary mortal existence.”  And seriously revisiting my testimony that “not only would [Christ] atone for our sins, but as part of that Atonement, He would also overcome the physical death to which we would be subject because of the fall of Adam.”  A little over a year ago I was facing the most difficult trial I had ever and likely will ever face in my life.  I needed my testimony of the Gospel, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the Resurrection then more that ever because, you see, my little girl, my precious Ethne, was taken from this mortal existence—and because of the Atonement, Resurrection and covenants my husband and I made in the temple I will get to be with my little girl again.

Feb. 6, 2012 started out as any other Monday had for the last few months.  Lawrence Got up around 4 and got ready for work, then just before leaving Ethne woke up.  We had family prayer and Ethne gave her daddy a big hug and kiss.  Lawrence admonished her to be good and said, “love you Princess.” To which Ethne replied, “lub you Daddy.”  I turned on a show for Ethne and we cuddled in my bed for a few hours, until I had to get up to get ready for work.  We all got dressed and out the door to my parents’ house where Ethne and Edward would spend a few hours while I taught music at a local charter school.  After school I went to pick the kids up.  We had loaded everyone in their car seats and headed home when tragedy struck.  At the intersection of U-111 (bacchus highway) and Old Bingham a cement truck t-boned the driver’s side of my little dodge stratus.  Emergency vehicles were called to the scene, someone called Lawrence, and Ethne and I were both life-flighted to Primary children’s and the U of U hospitals.  We both suffered many serious injuries but unfortunately Ethne’s were worse and she did not make it.  I spent a week in the hospital followed by months of physical therapy and many follow-up doctor visits.  Edward escaped with a minor concussion and a few stitches on his scalp.   I could probably give a whole talk on the power of the priesthood and the things it did for me following this accident, but I will leave that for another time.

Following the accident I really struggled.  I was so heartbroken over the loss of my little girl and for a time I really struggled with my testimony.  But my amazing husband, who is stronger that I ever realized, helped me regain my testimony by constantly sharing his and always loving me.  Through his testimony and patience I have been able to learn and strengthen my testimony that, because of our Savior Jesus Christ I will be reunited with my little girl—as we can read in D&C 76 For all the rest shall be ^abrought forth by the resurrection of the dead, through the ^btriumph and the glory of the Lamb, who was slain, who was in the bosom of the Father ^cbefore the worlds were made.

President Monson shares this about the death and resurrection:

“No words in Christendom mean more to me than those spoken by the angel to the weeping Mary Magdalene and the other Mary when, on the first day of the week, they approached the tomb to care for the body of their Lord. Spoke the angel:

“Why seek ye the living among the dead?

“He is not here, but is risen.” ¹²

Our Savior lived again. The most glorious, comforting, and reassuring of all events of human history had taken place—the victory over death. The pain and agony of Gethsemane and Calvary had been wiped away. The salvation of mankind had been secured. The Fall of Adam had been reclaimed.

The empty tomb that first Easter morning was the answer to Job’s question, “If a man die, shall he live again?” To all within the sound of my voice, I declare, If a man die, he shall live again. We know, for we have the light of revealed truth.

“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Cor. 15:21-22.

Just like President Monson I have read and believe the testimonies of those who experienced the grief of Christ’s crucifixion and death.  I understand the pain of Mary, Christ’s mother at the loss of a child.  And I believe in the hope the Resurrection gives to our mortal life.  I can only imagine the joy Mary felt as the angel declared to her that her son was living and she was able to see and be with him again, even if only for a short time.  I take comfort in the knowledge that my family has been sealed together for all eternity and that, one day, I will be greeted by the tender hug of my angel baby.  In my deepest hours of sorrow I have received profound comfort from the words of the angel that first Easter morning, “He is not here: for He has risen.”  I join my testimony to that of Joseph Smith found in D&C 76:22 “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the ^atestimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he ^blives!”  I know that my Savior Jesus Christ lives and that through him I can live again and can be with my family through all eternity.

~Melissa