There are roughly 12 days left
until I’m sealed to the man of my eternity, and I wanted to post something up
here encompassing a lot of thoughts I’ve been having lately pertaining to
things of an eternal nature… I guess it’s pretty natural to be on my mind. So
here is a picture of what I want to talk about!
So, ignoring all of the fun
windswept hair from driving with the windows down, I would just like to point
out the wonderful set of scriptures in my hand right there!
What sticks out to you?
Well, I’m going to share a little
story about these sticks (aka the scriptures) here and explain why they are
really symbolic to me as my marriage is approaching.
First off, this beautiful book here
was a Christmas present from my parents when I was about 6 months into my
mission! I was serving in New Mexico at the time, and it was not a surprise
that I got them (because I had asked for them ;) but, it was wonderful that
they came from my goodly parents (borrowing adjectives from Nephi’s writing
:D).
When I was set apart to be a
missionary I was promised that I would be able to share a strong testimony with
those I taught of the blessings of temple covenants and the sealing power which
has been restored to the earth today. I know that families are eternal, and the
covenants we make with our Father in Heaven are the first steps we take to
making our families eternal.
The best part of all of the
covenants we make and blessings we receive, is that our Father in Heaven has
laid out all of the doctrine and requirements he has in the words He has given
to us through His prophets. The perfect order of His church, and the proper use
of His power is all contained in the sacred records that were kept for us to
read at this time in our day! Isn’t it wonderful?
So, on my mission, I kept my
nametag on my scriptures to remind myself of who I was, and why I was out
there. To remind myself of the sacred calling which I had, and for Whom I was
working. To just add one more reminder that I was a set apart representative of
Jesus Christ, and it was His name I wore on my chest every day.
The standards I lived then cannot
fully be duplicated in non-missionary life, but I continue to keep my nametags
in places where I can remember what I taught, and why the basics are so
fundamental in our daily conversion.
The last, and newest addition to my
beautiful scriptures came a couple of weeks ago when I decided to get my new
name engraved on my mission scriptures! It was a
gift-for-Joshua-but-kind-of-for-me-type-thing, but I realized when I got it done
how everything has kind of come full circle in the 18 months I’ve been the
proud owner of these beautiful sticks.
They came from my parents, they’ve
reminded me daily of the doctrine I need to know to return to live with my
Heavenly Father again, and now they bear the new last name that I will have
symbolizing my eternal commitment to Joshua. It is wonderful the spirit that is
attached to tangible items we have in our world. I know that we can’t take
anything with us after we depart from this world. But I do know the power that
I personally receive from the scriptures will help carry me through eternity.
I know my Savior loves me, and
everything in this world testifies of Him, and His goodness. I know it is
because of Him, and my personal journey to know Him better that I’ve come to
this point in my life to be blessed with an eternal companion who is walking
the same path as I am. I know families are meant to be forever, and that starts
with a relationship with Heavenly Father.
I’m grateful for the little
reminders we receive each day that allow us to remember Him, and remember why
we are journeying here on earth.
With all of my heart,
Sister Heather Ann Lagrosa
