An Eternal Family
This afternoon while taking a break from seemingly endless lines of code, I felt impressed with the experiences my family and I have been blessed with lately. I want to emphasize the word “blessed”.
Though it has been emotionally, physically and spiritually draining seeing my Mother’s health deteriorate through lung cancers, tumors, surgeries, doctor’s appointments, late night bathroom breaks, falls, disorientation
and inability to communicate, I have never seen greater faith and dependance on God than in my Mother’s eyes. She has never thought twice about calling upon my Father and I to minister to her spiritual needs by asking for a Priesthood blessing. When any other person would say, “I am exhausted! I cannot walk, I cannot speak, I cannot eat on my own; surely the Lord will not hold it against me for staying home from church today”, Mother insists that we help her get ready and take her to church.
I have sat by her bedside during particularly difficult evenings when she can do nothing but lay in pain; holding her hand and gently reminding her that I am there beside her. Each and every time I feel that I have walked away more uplifted by her strength and determination than I could ever be a support to her.
With the same Love and fervor I have grown close to and realized amplified respect for my Father. Never have I seen such Love, dedication and concern for another human being. He spends his entire day seeing to her needs. 
Getting her dressed, brushing her teeth and hair, assisting her in the bathroom and shower, feeding her and most importantly; Loving her. As his sweetheart and wife has gotten sick, my Father has only grown more affectionate. The occasions of calling her “sweetheart”, “honey” and “dear” are more frequent and hold so much Love that I can hardly express how it impresses me.
My brother and I have had the honor of “stepping up” to the new responsibilities of caring for Mom and Dad. We have grown so much on our own and as a family as we have served one another with Love and willingness. I have gained a greater Love and respect for him and his choices in life through his trials.
When the doctors told us that our only option left was a chemotherapy treatment that had, at best, at 20% chance of success, we had a very difficult decision to make. If the treatment worked, then Mom would remain as she is now; unable to communicate well or take care of herself. If it didn’t work, then she would continue to digress, but experience the awful side effects of chemotherapy in addition to the natural pain. Yes, it could lengthen her life, but what quality of life would that be for her? My Father spent quite some time discussing it with my Brother and I; we each spoke our opinions and we prayed that God would let us know what to do. Eventually we decided that it is in Mother’s best interest to not go through with the treatment and give all faith in God –knowing full well that His plan may be for her to die and return to Him.
Ultimately, I am thankful for the knowledge I have of God’s Plan of Happiness and the eternal nature of the family. 
Though I am selfish and want nothing more than to spend time with my Mommy, I do not wish for her to be in pain. Even if that means her returning to our Father in Heaven. You see, her death will not be a permanent one! It will last physically for a short time until the Resurrection. Yet her spirit will exist continually; and that spirit is her; every Love, passion, opinion and joy!
Such knowledge brings me hope and peace in a time of difficulty. We have been sealed as an eternal family within the sacred of House of the Lord. We have the opportunity to live together forever as a family; with endless potential for growth and happiness. Such a promise certainly does make any suffering here in mortality worth it.
argument regarding the war does not belong here). Lately, it seems we have allowed that same hatred, bigotry and evil that the terrorists yield to come into our midst against the very same Muslim people that cried, feared and mourned with us on that most saddening day.
not have a clause that says “…the pursuit of happiness; only if it does not offend somebody else.” No, it says “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” I know many Muslims in my area, and I love them. I grew up with Muslims in California. I have found them to be some of the most American, Loving — even “Christlike” — people around.
hundred years ago. As did a band of Mormons September 11th, 1857. The same is true with various Christian organizations worldwide that find it to be Christlike to burn sacred texts of another faith. Extremism exists within every religion; and nearly every major religion has portions of their sacred text that call for arms, war and bloodshed in the name of it’s God.
