The Miracle of Life

August 12, 2012

One of my earliest memories was during the years just before and after we moved into the Concho house on the highway. My father had sold “Glenn’s Trading Post” and taken a farm in Cashion (Cashion is South West of Phoenix by Luke Air Force Base) as payment. At that time Cashion was way, way out in the desert. In order to get to the farm we had to cross the Salt River, then a flowing stream about thirty feet wide, as I recall. Dad was normally a very physically capable man, but he had experienced some serious health problems (I believe he had his first of many heart attacks) and was what mother described as skin and bones and irrigating 24 hours a day. I don’t recall thinking much about these kinds of things but I do recall the very primitive life-style. It was during this year (1948, Lynda what year were you born) that my sister Lynda was born in the Tolleson, Arizona Hospital. My brother Glenn, then six made a guitar out of a two-by-four and some wire from the ranch. Aunt Louella took us to the Tolleson hospital where we were able to “serenade” mother and baby Lynda                in their first floor hospital room. We had experienced the beginning of a life.

Two years later, I experienced my first memory of death. We had moved to the Concho white house on main-street, across from the Padia family. I was five and had recently visited a family on the outskirts of Concho. Time has erased their names, but Glenn will tell me and I will write them in next week. This family was on a trip to Holbrook and just as they entered Holbrook over the old bridge, they went across the railroad tracks and their son was killed. They had a Catholic funeral service, mass, and other activities; then he was buried in the Concho cemetery. Glenn was so taken by this life changing experience that he carved a headstone from sandstone and placed it on the gravesite.

Last Thursday, a true example of Christ-like humanity passed through the veil at 96 years old. Uncle Bill Laing was one of those people that everyone loved. He was good to his family. He was good to all who knew him. On Saturday Andy (our son) shared news they had received of a 17 year old girl on his track team being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Last week a two-year old was playing in the LaVerkin Creek and drowned. How long is life? When have we completed our designated role on earth? Why do some exit life early, while others remain for much, much longer?

I can’t answer these questions. I can however, share my understanding concerning our very existence. We certainly couldn’t have imagined what would transpire over the next six and a half decades as we grew, learned, relearned, and formed our personal knowledge of Where we came from, Why we are here, and Where we will go after this life’s brief moment of personal errand for the Lord.

Where did we come from? We came from an eternal realm where we were in the presence of our Heavenly Father. We made a choice. We could come to earth, receive a body, participate in a family, and find our spiritual connection.  We found that we could live anyway we chose, but we were given opportunities and glimpses of eternal life that guide us. These promptings are provided through ministering angels, which function through the Holy Ghost, and most importantly under the direction of God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.

Why are we here?  We are here to prove ourselves. Most say we are proving ourselves to God. I believe he already knows who we are, so I think we are here to prove ourselves to ourselves. We conscientiously make decisions regarding our moral character, our spiritual dimension, and the family experiences that will determine the rest of our eternal existence. So, God has a plan for each of us. He has, in his great plan, return strategies for each of us, so our job is do everything we can to be charitable, to learn, to be productive family members, community members, and spiritual examples. As we live lives filled with love and charity, we will be fulfilling our role and we will be able to return to his presence whenever we are called; whether it be when we are two hours old, or when we are 96, like my wonderful Uncle Bill Laing.

Where will we go when we complete our sojourn on this rock called earth? We will return to his presence where we will enjoy the rest of eternity. Obviously, there is much more to each part of this story. Each of us has a unique and very special experience in store for us and our story is not complete until we pass through the veil and enter his presence.

God bless you as you enjoy each moment of life and share the Gospel of Good news with others through your charity and good examples.

Duane Jacobs, Grandfather, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend