11/13/20011

Today, we sat in the midst of angles. We sang with them. We listened to their thoughts. We pondered the very purpose of life. Jean and I have had the privilege of teaching the seven year olds in primary this past year and today was the culmination of those activities with a presentation that shared the most touching, spiritual thoughts humans can consume.

Little tiny children (we call them sunbeams) exploding with energy, hardly able to sit for a moment without waving to parents, squirming in their seats, or poking another child just to make sure everything was okay. Then, as if by magic they would each share their thought (well, most of them anyway). For the better part of an hour, these children made us all go back to our earliest times on earth and understand just a little better, the love our Heavenly Father has for each of us. Almost inconceivably, sixty eight years have passed in my life, with experiences filling the full range of expectations, from purely childish adventure, through illness and the passing of loved ones, and on to eternal marriage, children, grandchildren, and spiritual maturity – an incredible knowledge of God the Father, his Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

Any group of children includes the standard number of really sharp children who are the bright, leading stars; the average children who make us the vast numbers who work real hard to keep up and be on the team; the youngsters who have a difficult time sharing their thoughts because of slowness of speech, limited mental capacity, or because they are late bloomers. Then, there is a very special group; those children, who will probably never fully function in society as others. Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, alcohol syndrome, and a legion of other maladies find their way into homes of every ethnic, social, and spiritual brand and make no pretense of apology. They simply exist. I have been privileged to be very close to many such Children of our Heavenly Father. They are not mistakes.

They are the very essence of our existence. The only mistake made is when we ignore, snub, bully, or in any other way, do physical, spiritual, or mental harm to these select spirits. We will all go through the refiner’s fire and the books will be opened and we will see the hurt, the sadness, and the torment we have caused, “even the least of these” and we will pay dearly for our irreverence to God’s chosen. I believe these children were so valiant in the pre-existence that they needed only to come to earth to gain a body and to assist God in helping each of us reach our highest potential. I watched this morning as one little boy, unable to eat normally, to stand, talk, or otherwise function like you and I, was held by a beautiful primary leader through a significant part of the program. This little boy, looked adoringly into the eyes of this sweet sister. I complimented her on being so strong and caring for her son. It was then that I began to understand the true meaning of the Pure Love of Christ. She said, “oh, he isn’t my son. I am just holding him for his mother so she can participate in her church activities.”

Another girl who does not regularly participate came yesterday for the practice and today for the program. Having very little understanding of the what, why, where, and how’s of participation, she was quite lost and distressed. My sweetheart, swung into action, treated her like a queen, expected her to act like a queen, and brought out the very best in this marvelous child.

May we all seek out those in need. Go back and read the Words of Christ and become converted to the Love of God.

God bless you in every aspect of your life.

Duane Grandpa, popsa, uncle, cousin, and friend Jacobs,