March 2012 Visiting teaching message

Here is the link to this month's Visiting teaching message. http://www.lds.org/liahona/2012/03/daughters-in-my-kingdom?lang=eng


She was the poster child
for the Utah Easter Seals
Campaign in 1949 at
7 years of age.

 My thoughts have been drawn to my sweet sister in law who passed away this past week.  She had been living in a Care facility for 22 years.  She was born with Cerebral palsy 69 years ago and has lived a very simple existence and she was content.  Her life consisted of watching TV from her wheelchair, typing or writing words on paper,  that she found in her TV guides and dictionary.  When she was much younger, she use to enjoy music and collect 45 rpm records, and she had every family members birth date memorized, as well as trivia about them. She loved hamburgers, fries and a soda and would eat them every day if she could have. Her family indulged her somewhat as they made visits with her and brought her favorite snacks such as cookies, chips, and soda fountain soft drinks, she would nurse on all day long.  These simple things made her happy and visits from family were the icing on her cake!
She did as much as she was capable of doing, but probably the greatest gift she offered, was her love of family. Over the years, I have often wondered what her purpose in this life was, being unable to walk, dress herself, prepare her own meals or even do much of anything. What does a daughter of God do, who is as a paralytic,  to "Prepare for eternal designations?" 


Sister Julie B. Beck says,  "The success of families, communities, this Church and the precious plan of salvation is dependent on your faithfulness....(Our Heavenly Father) intended Relief Society to help build His people and prepare them for the blessing of the temple. He established Relief Society to align His daughters with His work and to enlist their help in building His Kingdom and strengthening the homes of Zion."  The V T lesson goes on to say that our Father in Heaven has given us specific work to do to help build His Kingdom. He has blessed us with the spiritual gifts we need to accomplish this specific work.


When I read this quote from sister Beck, it became clear to me exactly what my sister in law's life purpose has been.  Sister Beck's quote mentions the word "faithfulness" and then goes on to mention "strengthening the homes in Zion".  My dear sister in law was faithful in everything that was required of her. She loved and she seemed to be the glue that has kept my husbands family together since the passing of both parents. She strengthened her family by providing opportunities for us to gather. 

Julie was the facilitator for our family gatherings at least twice a year.  Each year for her birthday and for Christmas, her brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews gathered to celebrate with her.  When we gathered, it was like a family reunion that drew use closer as we chatted about the comings and goings of each of our family members since the last time we met. 

Julie faithfully remembered to call on the phone, each and every family member throughout the year, to wish them a Happy Birthday.  She never forgot a birthday up until she became so ill, that she could no longer do so. Julie's purpose was to be the example to all of her family of strength in enduring the hardships of this life.  Julie never complained as was brought out by one family member in a tribute to her.  She had lots to complain about but never complained of pain that she felt in her arthretic joints hands and fingers, and legs or that she couldn't walk.. She simply endured everything without murmuring or complaint. What an amazing example to me of enduring to the end, no matter how difficult her circumstances. 

Julie was a daughter of God who strived to live as His disciple. She helped build God’s kingdom here on earth and was worthy to return to His presence.  Our family was strengthened not only by her life, but through her passing and were gratified to know that the when she was called home, she would walk and run into the loving arms of her parents without crutches.  Julie can now do everything that she could not do on this earth.  Her example of enduring to the end could be her epitaph for this life. 

Julie was faithful in her church attendance, walking to church using crutches to attend all of her meetings.  On days that it was snowy, her father would carry her in his strong arms. When she was older, Julie received her endowments in the Provo, Utah Temple.  She also enjoyed attending the Mt. Timpanogos Temple as well until she was no longer physically able.
 

I believe that the specific work that our Julie was given by the Lord to do in this life was to "build up His Kingdom" in ways that only the Lord knew she could.  Her purpose was to love and strengthen her family, to provide opportunities of service for her family and friends and literally a poster child for enduring to the end.  She showed that you can be happy with simple things. She was faithful and determined to live each day the best that she could do.  Her good life was what brought angels from the other side of the veil to greet her and preparer her for the next life.


What a blessing she has been for our family.  It is my prayer that we would look at ourselves and try to discover our own purposes for this earth life, that we as very imperfect humans, can strive to do the best that we are capable of, and be faithful in our serving the Lord and paraphrasing the scripture, "When ye have done it for one of the least of these, ye have done it unto Me."
Love, Katie G.