We drove to LAX the other night to say farewell to a departing missionary, one of nine, on her way to Thailand after their MTC preparation of twelve weeks. We watched as they descended the escalator looking young, inexperienced and lost in a very crowded airport. Unaware of our observation we could see them looking in various directions wondering which way led them to the international terminal. There was no information desk available to even ask for help if they wanted too. They appeared lost in a sea of people moving all around them busily scurrying to their destinations, completely ignoring nine confused missionaries in need of assistance. They greeted us with a great sigh of relief as we told them we knew the way to the right terminal and ultimately to the airline counter handling their flight. This trying experience was made easier because someone else who had familiarity knew the way. Our experience in life assisted them when they required help and direction.
This circumstance brought deeper meaning to me when I opened a surprise gift received in the mail. It was a family history book with life sketches of my ancestors recorded from the early 1800s. I was fascinated to read about their lives and struggles. Their experiences became real and personal, no longer merely a name appearing on a line with dates. These people loved and were loved. They had thoughts and feelings and experienced happiness and joy, hardships and trials. What caught my attention more than anything was realizing their decisions and determination in overcoming their struggles literally caused my family to enjoy the existence we have today. Their perseverance and endurance helped me just as if they were at the airport guiding me to the international terminal.
The thought came to me that we are living our ancestors’ dreams. My son who is a medical doctor commented once how grateful he is for the educational opportunities which allowed him to pursue his life’s ambition. He expressed gratitude for being born at the time when crossing the plains and the hard struggle to survive had taken place generations before. Isn’t that true for all of us; we didn’t get where we are today by ourselves. Numerous sacrifices from many people were made on our behalf so we could accomplish all we do. How many of our ancestors would have been great men and women of education, technology, science and art if only they had the chance to live as we do today. We are who we are largely because of the decisions and sacrifices they made.
What responsibility does that put on us? What decisions are we making today that will affect our posterity? I have a good friend whose husband belongs to another faith. He is a good man and was raised to be very active in his religion. In doing his genealogy my friend found that her husband had an ancestor who lived in Nauvoo and even received his endowments in the Nauvoo Temple in 1847. That is a heritage that not many of us can boast of. What happened to make his posterity lose sight of the beliefs and knowledge that once was so precious to him in 1847? History does talk and as you read and learn about decisions made you can understand the how’s and why’s of what happened.
Hindsight becomes clear when studied and pondered but the future is more ambiguous. You are probably asking what this has to do with being a mother but in reality… everything. You are the one who sets the atmosphere in your home. Your personality and attitudes, both good and bad, are passed onto your children. The way you are influences their perception of life. Have you ever wondered why a negative mother has negative children? In contrast, the mother who has charity in abundance has children who also know how to serve willingly. Just one mother who is offended by someone at Church and stops attending makes a decision that will follow her children for generations. What about the kind words that you speak to your child? What you say with a simple phrase will change your child and how they feel about themselves. We not only have the responsibility to direct them on how to catch their next flight at the airport but it is also the eternal path that you are leading them toward and their children as well. Your voice and your decisions will influence many generations yet to come.
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