Thinking of Thanksgiving & Family Gatherings
This year, our three children and their families were able to gather at our home in Colorado from three different states to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner together. It was a week early, but that didn’t matter. Part of the fun of the holiday is to enjoy good food as well as one another’s company. Although Dave and I were not able to be with them this year in person, we did play some games over a video chat. It was so fun for us to hear their banter and laughter as we enjoyed one another.
Earlier this week, I thought of the Thanksgiving holiday when I was reading in the Book of Mormon where Lehi was describing the delicious fruit from the tree in 1 Nephi 8:10-12.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8?lang=eng#note10a
10 And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.
11 And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.
12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.
Isn’t it funny how when a person has something really enjoyable that makes them happy, like amazing food or a beautiful place, they want to share it with others - especially their family? When they do share it, it multiplies their personal happiness exponentially. However, if they are unable to share it as they desire, it diminishes their personal joy and satisfaction substantially. I believe that this paradox is well described by Lehi in chapter 8 of 1 Nephi.
Most of us know that Lehi’s dream was symbolic. He was not tasting fruit, rather he was enjoying the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he wanted his family to partake of it also.
I then thought of my missionaries who teach with joy the plan of salvation and the importance of family relationships. Unfortunately, many of their families are not active or even members of the church. This makes them very sad because they want temple blessings for their families too. Do you look at your family and feel the same?
More than 20 years ago, I heard a Sunday School lesson about how we are responsible for the salvation of our family members. This topic made me uncomfortable as I thought of some of my family members who were not active in the church or that I had lost connection with after the death of my mother. I tried to push these thoughts aside with the rationalization that I was raising my own young family with my husband and that was my primary focus. My mind and thoughts were busy arguing in my head the rest of the day.
That night, I had a terrible dream of being in the next life, and I was consumed with a profound sense of loss because I had missing family members. When I woke up, the pain did not go away and even to this day, I remember that bitter feeling of regret because it felt so complete and terminal. The very next morning, I decided that no matter how awkward or uncomfortable it may be, I had to change my ways because I did not want that grief to be my future. I began to pray for my siblings and their families daily and I made an effort to love and know them and to invite them to live the gospel. The change in our relationships were gradual, but in the end, beautiful because my siblings and their families have become such a great blessing to us and our children.
President Nelson said “(The) gathering (of Israel) is the most important thing taking place on earth today.” I testify that this is true, but I would like to add that we should not forget our family members when we try to be missionary minded. The temple covenants bind us to our families and our families to God. This is the plan of salvation in action.
Tamara Runia stated during our last General Conference:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/33runia?lang=eng
“By lifting the people around us, we ascend together. . . . . In these last days, perhaps our greatest work will be with our loved ones– good people living in a wicked world. Our hope changes the way they see themselves and who they really are. And through this lens of love, they’ll see who they will become. She then said, “ If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
I know this is true. Consider what your family can become. Consider what you can do to strengthen and minister to the part-member or part- active families in your wards and branches. If all these families are made whole by making covenants in the temple, think how quickly this will strengthen our wards and the church in general. President Nelson stated recently during Pat Holland's funeral: “Salvation is an individual matter, but exaltation is a family matter.” God has organized the gathering of Israel to be based on the family. We must make this our focus and have faith in our prophet when he promises miracles in our families. If we do this, these beautiful miracles will occur.
