While preparing this talk, I found a talk that I had given a number of years ago, at the passing of one of my hero’s, friend and her greatest title my wonderful mother.
I hope that it’s OK that I spend part of my sermon tonight talking about her and some of the things she has taught me. Perhaps it will remind you of your loved ones and maybe what kind of individuals we should become or what heritage we are leaving for those whom we love.
Nothing was more important to her than her family. At her funeral there were more than a 100 people in the room – that called her Mom or Grandmother. She had 10 children and 60 grandchildren. I have no idea how many great grandchildren at this time. My mother had a wonderful sense of humor. In the eyes of the world she was not a wealthy woman – but spiritually and in heritage and posterity there were few richer.
Her greatest desires were in the service of her family and in the service of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In talking about service – President Eyring – (at the time a member of the Quorum of the 12) stated:
“Your service may not be in what the world would recognize as a lofty calling, when the value of service becomes clear in the judgments of God. Some people who worked in quiet anonymity will be the real hero’s. Many of them, perhaps most of them will be the underpaid under recognized people, who nurtured others.”
At the time of her death – like will be the case for most of us. There were no flags flying at half-mask, – but, 100’s and someday 1000’s will feel the influence of her righteous life. What I and my extended family do with that influence will be determined by whether we pass it on to those we come in contact with.
Indeed most mothers fall into the category of the under recognized people that nurtured others. All of us here today can think of individuals in our lives that have shaped our qualities and attributes. Thankfully my Mom was a master at it.
Those that grew up with the Champlin’s know that I am extremely competitive, many times to a fault. My mother loved basketball and would come to all of our games. I love pie, one day she made me a deal – if I would keep my cool and just play the game she would make me an apple pie. As normally happened the refs were terrible. As the crowd was cheering and I was getting worked up – among all the voices I could hear her yelling at the top of her lungs, PIE – PIE – PIE. I’m sure that every one that could hear her was confused. But, I knew exactly what she was saying.
I believe that most of us here today received our personalities, faith and the seeds of our testimonies from our beloved parents. And whether or not that is true for each of us, it’s our challenge to be that kind of parent – friend – or grandparent.
In my patriarchal blessing, as the Lord counseled me to keep the commandments, he then stated:
“You have been blessed with a noble heritage – Always ask yourself what would my father and mother have me do and test the facts by the standards God has given.”
Remembering the teachings or example of our parents is a common theme through out the scriptures –
Enos – Son of Jacob – was waited down by his mistakes, as he prayed for forgiveness from his sins, it states:
3) Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart.
4 And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.
Brothers and sisters - Do our examples and teachings cause those with whom we love to turn to God? Do they know that our testimonies of the Savior Jesus Christ are one of our most prized possessions?
Nephi – know he had great parents, therefore he was taught somewhat in all the learning of his father; and the things of God. This caused him to have a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God.
1 Nephi 8: (Lehi tells about his dream)
And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.
And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.
And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.
Like Lehi – we should strive to have a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and of the Love of God, which the fruit represents.
Our desires should be to partake of the fruit and remain faithful.
Like Lehi – after partaking of the fruit our desire should be for our families, to come unto God to partake of the fruit and to feel the Love of God.
In a letter to her family – my Mom stated:
“I’m trying to put myself in the hands of the Lord…. Because I have felt the burning inside of me as I read the Book of Mormon, I know that it is true; I know the Holy Ghost has manifest the truthfulness of the gospel to me. I know without a doubt that Jesus Christ is our Savior and the Son of God and I know that he lives. We have a living prophet on the earth today. All these things I know to be true.
Hold unto the iron rod, which is the word of God. I love you all! Thank you for your faithfulness in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It makes me feel so good to know you are faithful.”
The joy that comes from the fruit of the gospel or the Love of God – comes through obedience to the commandments, accepting the atonement of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. By repenting of our sins, and placing our wills and desires second to His, then dedicating our whole souls to the will and desires of God.
The passing of a loved one can be a sad occasion, but it’s also is an opportunity for us to realize how blessed we have been to have them as part of our lives
Now is the time to prepare to meet God! We don’t know when we will be called to return to our heavenly home.
Despite the fact that losing my Mom was a sad event for our family – I know that without a doubt it was a celebration for her. Can you imagine the reunion that takes place as a righteous individual returns to the presence of those whom they have loved and missed for many years? I don’t understand how it works, but I believe their greeting party on the other side is far larger than those that mourn their passing.
And when a righteous individual finishes the race, or endures to the end – what a joyous reunion that must be.
Brothers and sisters many times in my life I have thrown a pity party, and been over whelmed by my trails – not understanding why the Lord hasn’t made my life exactly the way I think it should be. But, it’s our responsibility to understand – like the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane, that it’s not our will, but the will of our Father that counts in our lives.
President Ezra Taft Benson –
“Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can, He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life.”
If the requirement for eternal life is loosing ourselves in the service of God – shouldn’t that be one of our greatest goals or priorities? In the D&C - the Lord said we should waste and wear out our lives in accomplishing the things of God.
As we turn our lives to our Eternal Father, he can sanctify, teach and guide us to be the person we need to be. This is done by the power of the Holy Ghost and revelation, which can quicken our understanding, enlighten our minds and bare testimony of the power of the Atonement and the reality that God lives and Jesus is the Christ.
Some time ago I had the opportunity to visit a sacrament meeting were the Bishop began to use a scripture that I was so familiar with that not only did I know where it was in the scriptures but I could recite the words as he read them aloud. When he was done he began to explain the scripture in a way that it had never crossed my mind that it would apply. Instantly the spirit testified to me as it related to a problem that has been bothering me for some time. My problem has not been solved, but my understanding and blessings have been multiplied.
As we turn ourselves over to God we can better understand the purpose of life and how in reality our trials and pains can be learning experiences that will be for our good and bring forth greater opportunity and blessings. Also as we have the spirit, it can comfort and strengthen us in our times of need.
One of my blessings, or as Nephi stated tender mercies of God – took place a few days before my mother passed away. I went to her house to get some quilting frames for my daughter. We sat in the living room and laughed and talked for more than an hour (I’m sure I was her favorite) during this time I felt like I did when I was home and we would stay up late watching old movies. We expressed our love for each other, talked about my father who had been deceased for more than ten years. Her death was a surprise to us all, making this seemingly normal conversation a wonderful memory.
We have come here today, to hear the words of God from those assigned to guide and direct us. The question we each need to ask is what difference our time here today will make in our lives, and in the lives of our families and those whom we love. As we feel the spirit, will it like Enos lead us unto God – to repent of our sins, and make the necessary changes that the power of the atoning sacrifice of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ can take effect.
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