Faith in Action

Last night, at the Senior Singles Family Home Evening, Brother Dee Barrett from the LDS Institute filled our buckets with wisdom! His profound message one faith was touching and heartfelt as he shared the importance of leaving our legacy to the youth.

Brother Barrett told stories of his own grandfather, who'd served a mission in England and been, literally, fed by an angel. After his companion had had "enough", given up on serving a mission and left him, Elder Barrrett continued on his journey alone. Cold and hungry, he approached a door in the middle of nowhere. A women answered, welcomed him in, gave him dinner and a warm place to rest for the night. When he awoke, there was a napsack filled with biscuits for his journey, but the woman was nowhere to be found to thank. He continued on his way, walking miles before meeting the next neighbor. When he shared his experience of the past night and asked about the woman who had been so kind and generous, he was told that the home had been empty for over twenty years since the passing of the woman who'd lived there. Truly, an angel had helped him through this trial.

Brother Barrett also shared that his own father had served in the military during his youth and had been stationed in the DC area, where he had the opportunity to share many meals and time with, then, Elder Ezra Taft Benson, who was the U.S. Secretary of State. It was over the holidays this year that Brother Barrett's father shared these stories with his grandchildren, strengthening their testimonies. It was the best gift that he could have given his posterity ~ words of wisdom, example and testimony.

Brother Barrett encouraged our senior singles to share their stories of faith, of how they gained their testimonies, how they endured and came out stronger during hard times, about the truth, as often and precisely as possible to our children and grandchildren. "These times are hard and getting harder. The youth need our strength as well as their own."

He continued that the more we know about the Savior, the more faith we have in Him. It's our responsibility to share our faith with our posterity. As he shared the story of Nephi, his words were powerful that Nephi did all that the Lord commanded because, not only did he do all that the Lord commanded, he did it because, as Nephi said, "I know" that the Lord giveth no commandment to his children except he prepare a way."

What we know needs to be shared... no matter what age we are!

The entire evening was wonderful. The message, however, was not specific to the seniors. While Brother Barrett did encourage them to leave their legacy in word, deed and example, it could have been meant for even the youngest of us!