With recent incidents, I have spent some time reflecting these past few days. I have never known what to say to someone dealing with loss or an extreme trial. This message comes from me trying to think of something adequate to say to another parent who has lost a child unexpectedly, an adult how has lost a spouse, or any other difficulty. "I'm sorry for your loss", "Things will get better," and such just don't seem like enough. Instead, I have decided to share my gratitude for the greatest gifts I have received that are available to everyone in hopes it will provide some comfort.
Gift of Life - God gave man life and continues to grant life. I am grateful to live here on the earth, to have experiences that help me grow, learn, and become a better person (hopefully).
Gift of Repentance - I am not perfect. Not even close. But God gave us the gift of repentance, allowing us to feeling sorry after choosing poorly, asking for forgiveness, and turning away from those choices. When we do this, our poor choices (aka sins) will be forgiven. We can feel free and happy. I am so glad I don't have to live with the guilt or sadness of poor choices.
Gift of Resurrection - Long ago, Jesus Christ died while hanging on a cross meaning His body and His spirit were separated. Three days later, He was resurrected meaning they were joined together again in a perfected state never to be separated again. Christ will never die again. He gave us this gift of resurrection meaning at some time, after we have died, we will be resurrected and live again just as He lives. Because of this knowledge, I understand that one day I will die but I won't be separated from my loved ones for very long.
Gift of the Atonement - Before His Crucifixion, Jesus Christ went to pray and start the Atonement in the Garden of Gethsemane. During this time, He felt and experienced all the emotions we (as in everyone who has lived, is living, or will live) have and will go through. This covers physical, emotional and/or mental pain or sadness. He truly understands what we are going through and we can call upon the power of the Atonement to help heal us in any capacity, at any time. I love having someone who knows exactly what I have been through and what I need in order to overcome my trials. He already paid the price for my sins. As I repent, I become free from the sin and any feelings that come with it. He already experienced the pain and sadness I would feel as I pass through life and because He has, He can help me learn to cope or handle the situation to the best of my ability and then provide any extra that I can't do on my own.
Gift of the Sealing Power - Jesus gave man the power to seal things on earth so that they may be sealed in Heaven as well. I am so glad that we have been given the sealing power and that we can be sealed together as families. No matter what happens to us in this life, as long as we stay true and faithful to our covenants, we will be a family for eternity.
Gift of Families - My family is one of my greatest blessings and largest challenges. I think it is because we know each other so well and spend so much time together that often we either feel like we are taken advantage of or over look all that our families do for us. Gratefully, as well as having earthly families, we have a spiritual family with a loving Heavenly Father and spirit siblings who care for us. These additional family members watch over us as angels having come to earth before us or friends and neighbors who are here at the same time. My earthly and spiritual families add so much to my life. I have been able to move past many hard times because of the love and support of family and friends.
Gift of the Holy Ghost - The Holy Ghost is the 3rd member of the Godhead, given the assignment to teach the truth, testify of Jesus Christ and provide comfort to those in need. After baptism, you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost to be a constant companion as long as you allow him. The Holy Ghost blesses me and helps me so often that I wonder if I how much I really do. Then I remember I have agency.
Gift of Agency - Agency, the right to choose, to act for yourself of your own accord or to be acted upon by the consequences of choices (or simply put moral agency to choose between right and wrong). What a great gift! When things in life happen that are out of our control, we can choose are actions and responses to these things. They don't just control us. I am grateful that I can choose and that I will be judged only according to my actions.
Gift of the Priesthood - Priesthood, God's power given to man to act on His behalf here on earth. God allows His power and authority to be used by men to bless the lives of everyone, be it through performing saving ordinances or by blessings in the family or for the sick. It's as if He were here Himself performing the same acts. I am so glad that the priesthood is in my family and that I have the opportunity to use its benefits to help me in my life.
Gift of the Gospel - Jesus Christ establish His church and taught the gospel while He was on the Earth. After the death of Christ and the Apostles, many plain and precious truths were lost or confused. Christ's church and the truths of the Gospel were restored (made new and whole) in these latter days. We can have truth and knowledge of God's plan. Because of this, I know who I am, where I came from, and where I am going and this is knowledge helps me make choices, hopefully good choices. I feel apart of something greater and feel like I play an important roles in the plan, like I really make a difference.
I apologize if this sounds cheesy or doesn't read eloquent. Writing isn't one of my strengths. Despite my lacking, I hope you can remember these great gifts or learn more about them. Life was meant as a trial, to test if we would be faithful so we have to pass through hard times but it doesn't mean we can't be happy at the same time.
