Once upon a time … long long long long … ago, everyone that is in this room (and I can say this with assurance) was living peacefully in the pre-existence. There we knew who we were. There we chose to follow the plan of salvation - accept the challenges we would face, but with steadfast faith and devotion to Heavenly Father’s plan. He knew we would need help for when we fell short or forgot who we were. Jesus Christ, our brother steps in and says he will be our Savior. HE Loves us so much that he is willing to take upon himself our sins, sadnesses, aches, pains, sorrows, and misunderstandings. WHY? because we are Heavenly Fathers’ children and HE believes in us - He Loves us. Just the thought of that is sometimes too much for me to bear, but it is what gives each of us hope, direction, purpose in life.
JESUS wants each and every one of us to know that we were worth it - that we are of infinite worth. In Moses 1:37, 39 we read: And the Lord God spake unto Moses, saying: The heavens, they are many, and they cannot be numbered unto man; but they are numbered unto me, for they are mine. (all his creations)
39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
When I read this I understand that Heavenly Father is explaining his joy of all of his creations, and his hope and desire that all of his creations shall come to have immortality and eternal life.
Back in 1989, I read the following quote, “we are not human beings having a spiritual experience but rather, we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
It has stayed with me ever since - not that I remember it all the time - as I should. Non-the-less, We are first and foremost a Spirit CHILD OF GOD. For this reason one of the first principles taught and first songs ever learned is “I am a Child of God.” You are a Child of God. This will never change - no matter what you do, what you say, what commandments you keep or break. GOD LOVES YOU - YOU ARE HIS CHILD. You are AWESOME!!!
Just this week, Mark showed me a video he received from a friend, it repeated “You are awesome” - something like 20 times - “don’t listen to anyone tell you otherwise.” Although this is not our prophet, or leaders or bishopric - it’s still true - YOU ARE AWESOME - actually even more than awesome.
As a parent of children that I have loved and nurtured for years and years, I can tell you it is hard to let something you love so much go so far away, but this is what our Heavenly Father did. God loved you so much to allow us to come here. And just as every parent of children that are away from home feels, we wish they would remember us more. So for us, The trick is … we need to remember HIM that we do not lose our way.
Disney creators demonstrate this in Lion King when Simba leaves his homeland out of fear for a sad circumstance that happened. He turned his back on everything he knew and was lured away by other, beautiful and fun distractions. But then, he was reminded of his past when he sees Nala. Confused by seeing her again, he goes off to seeks counsel - which is symbolic of a prayer. The counsel he received was “You have forgot me … and in such, you have forgot who you are.” Upon his remembrance, Simba recognizes all the blessings of his past, which motivates him .… I won’t spoil the end if you haven’t seen it … however it is a good representation to us - our HEAVENLY FATHER wants us to REMEMBER HIM - and to recognize HIM in our live.
As a side note - did you know the word “REMEMBER” is mentioned in the scriptures more than 745 times?”
NOW … I know some people might be thinking - he only loves those that obey. But that is not true. In Doctrine and Covenants 138:7 we read:
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Nephi also bears testimony of God’s love in 1 Nephi 11:17 And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.
Nephi wants us know that even though he doesn’t know or understand all the things he is trying to learn, he knows that God loveth his children.
God loves us so much that he gave us a Savior, to atone for us - to suffer our sins, to take our pains, to heal our sorrows and to comfort those that mourn. As members we partake of the sacrament. In the Sacrament prayer, He promises us so many blessings if we will REMEMBER him. It is a chance for us to reflect and recognize his hand in our lives and follow him and keep his commandments.
In the busy-ness of our daily lives, have we forgotten who we REALLY are… a*** son or daughter or the most HIGH GOD. I know I have from time to time. I know I have not felt the glow of happiness I feel when I remember who I am and how much I am loved despite my weaknesses and shortcomings.
Just as Simba demonstrates, we will be constantly challenged by the adversary. Satan wants us to forget who we really are. He fills the world with noise and distractions.
I want to share a different correlation to this concept through the HARRY POTTER Goblet of Fire. In this book Harry is faced with a challenge of opening a golden egg to hear important information - something that will save his life. When Harry opens the egg (in air), though, it merely shrieks loudly. However, Harry receives a tip telling him to take the to the prefects' bathroom. Although confused, Harry takes the egg to there, where he listens to the egg underwater; alas the words are peaceful and understandable.
Visualize the beautiful golden egg. Opening the egg in the air, is likened to listening and following what the world wants us to comprehend and learn - if we seek guidance and approval from this world,
concern ourselves with money or material things,
worldly praise,
FB likes, Instagram hearts , Twitter and other social media,
if we judge ourselves by world standards - all we will hear is noise and confusion.
We will not be able to understand the true message that we are to receive from our Heavenly Father. BUT
Opening the egg in water - the “Living Water” we will open the egg to be filled the what our Heavenly Fathers wants us to comprehend and learn - if we seek guidance and approval from Him,
pray,
read our scriptures,
attend church and activities,
listen to our prophet and other leaders and recognize His hand in our lives,
if we allow Christ to be the judge and be free of worldly standards but live by his standards - then we will hear the sweet, peaceful and understandable message HE has for us.
As we recognize Gods hand in our lives - even in hardship and challenging time, even in moments of sadness or grief - as we recognize we are not alone we can overcome each hardship, challenge and even PAIN, BECAUSE WE WILL REALIZE JESUS CHRIST TOOK THOSE pains, sufferings and challenges for us, if we will give them to him.
Read: The Rose within
Don't focus on the thorns, but on your beautiful flower
As I looked for God’s influence on my heart, as I recognized him in my life - he was the one I want to please, and thus I don’t need to worry about anyone else, or what the world thought.
I no longer needed to nor wanted to listen to the shrieks of the egg. Instead, I need to listen to the still small voice of the Holy Ghost, to my leaders, to my scriptures, and to the answers of my prayers because those are counsel from my Heavenly Father.
Speaking of prayers - be careful what you pray for -
As many of you may know we are moving to Memphis. I was so sad to leave. We love our ward, our schools, the kids teams, we’ve been here 16 years, but 16 years ago, after moving every three years we asked the Lord to let us stay here at least until our last child graduated high school. It took 16 years to answer that prayer but he did. How can I not be grateful for his love and attention to our heartfelt desire.
In Closing I would like to share one more scripture: 2 Nephi 10:20,23-24
20 And now, my beloved brethren, seeing that our merciful God has given us so great knowledge concerning these things, let us remember him, and lay aside our sins, and not hang down our heads, for we are not cast off; nevertheless, we have been driven out of the land of our inheritance; but we have been led to a better land, for the Lord has made the sea our path, and we are upon an isle of the sea.
I am so grateful for the knowledge that I am a daughter of God. I am so grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful brothers and sisters in the gospel. I also believe each of you are loved by your Heavenly Father. I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world, Heavenly Father created for me - come sun or rain. I believe we have a living Prophet and apostles to give us directions on our eternal path home. I believe in the Book of Mormon. I know it is the word of God. I am so grateful to be married in the temple to by wonderful husband. I recognize the many blessings in my life. I am also grateful for this opportunity to help open my heart and feel my Saviors love more deeply.
I say …
For Halloween Betsy got to wear the beautiful gown she made for Jennifer Fisher's play (SOHS). She wanted it to look like Mary Poppins but she didn't have time to finish the red waist band (so this day Mary Poppins has a pink waistband). 
Robert, The Missionary!
