The Latter-day Life

This past weekend we enjoyed beautiful Lake Powell. It was an adventurous weekend full of fishing, tubing, wake boarding, and jet skiing. The creations of God are a wonder at this special place, with the surrounding red rock during the day, and the sky full of stars at night.

One time while we were wake boarding out on the lake, one of our boats broke down. Stranded, we noticed a couple of boats near by and started waving our arms and yelling to get their attention. Eventually we were able to tow our boat back.

It took a couple days, but after a bit of tinkering, the boat was working enough to get back to the ramp. One the way back however, the side stripping was falling off! So my wife’s aunt, probably sarcastically, told her daughter (about age 10) to pray that the boat wouldn’t break down again before we got to the ramp. Sure enough, she immediately folded her arms and bowed her head right there on the boat.

During the Savior’s life, he spoke very solemnly of children.

“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” —Luke 18:16-17

After the Savior’s resurrection, he also visited the people of the ancient American continent as recorded in the Book of Mormon. There also he blessed the children…

“And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them. And when he had done this he wept again; And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones. And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angles did minister unto them.” —3 Nephi 17:21-24

“Children are an heritage of the Lord.”(Psalm 127:3, The Family: A Proclamation to the World) Children are a blessing to the world. They are close to heaven. If you find yourself near a child, take a moment and just watch them. As you do, think about the Savior and how much he loves them. These little ones have much to teach us. All we have to do is give them more of our time, attention, and love.