We will Prove Them Herewith (Sunday Sermon)

Now is the time to prepare and prove ourselves willing and able to do all things whatsoever the Lord our God shall command us.

I pray for the assistance of the Holy Ghost for all of us as I share the thoughts and feelings that have come to my mind and heart in preparation for this general conference.

The Importance of Tests

For more than two decades before my call to full-time Church service, I worked as a university teacher and administrator. My primary responsibility as a teacher was to help students learn how to learn for themselves. And a vital element of my work was creating, grading, and providing feedback about student performance on tests. As you may already know from personal experience, tests typically are not the part of the learning process that students like the most!

But periodic tests absolutely are essential to learning. An effective test helps us to compare what we need to know with what we actually know about a specific subject; it also provides a standard against which we can evaluate our learning and development.

Likewise, tests in the school of mortality are a vital element of our eternal progression. Interestingly, however, the word testis not found even one time in the scriptural text of the standard works in English. Rather, words such as prove, examine, and try are used to describe various patterns of demonstrating appropriately our spiritual knowledge about, understanding of, and devotion to our Heavenly Father’s eternal plan of happiness and our capacity to seek for the blessings of the Savior’s Atonement.

 

He who authored the plan of salvation described the very purpose of our mortal probation using the words prove, examine, and try in ancient and modern scripture. “And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.”¹

Consider this pleading by the Psalmist David:

“Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

“For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.”²

And the Lord declared in 1833, “Therefore, be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy.”³

 

Present-Day Proving and Trying 

The year 2020 has been marked, in part, by a global pandemic that has proved, examined, and tried us in many ways. I pray that we as individuals and families are learning the valuable lessons that only challenging experiences can teach us. I also hope that all of us will more fully acknowledge the “greatness of God” and the truth that “he shall consecrate [our] afflictions for [our] gain.”⁴

Two basic principles can guide and strengthen us as we face proving and trying circumstances in our lives, whatever they may be: (1) the principle of preparation and (2) the principle of pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ.

Proving and Preparation

As disciples of the Savior, we are commanded to “prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.”⁵

We also are promised that “if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.

“And that ye might escape the power of the enemy, and be gathered unto me a righteous people, without spot and blameless.”⁶

These scriptures provide a perfect framework for organizing and preparing our lives and homes both temporally and spiritually. Our efforts to prepare for the proving experiences of mortality should follow the example of the Savior, who incrementally “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man”⁷—a blended balance of intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social readiness.

 

On an afternoon a few months ago, Susan and I inventoried our food storage and emergency supplies. At the time, COVID-19 was spreading rapidly, and a series of earthquakes had jolted our home in Utah. We have worked since the earliest days of our marriage to follow prophetic counsel about preparing for unforeseen challenges, so “examining” our state of readiness in the midst of the virus and earthquakes seemed like a good and timely thing to do. We wanted to find out our grades on these unannounced tests.

We learned a great deal. In many areas, our preparatory work was just right. In some other areas, however, improvement was necessary because we had not recognized and addressed particular needs in timely ways.

We also laughed a lot. We discovered, for example, items in a remote closet that had been in our food storage for decades. Frankly, we were afraid to open and inspect some of the containers for fear of unleashing another global pandemic! But you should be happy to know that we properly disposed of the hazardous materials and that health risk to the world was eliminated.

Some Church members opine that emergency plans and supplies, food storage, and 72-hour kits must not be important anymore because the Brethren have not spoken recently and extensively about these and related topics in general conference. But repeated admonitions to prepare have been proclaimed by leaders of the Church for decades. The consistency of prophetic counsel over time creates a powerful concert of clarity and a warning volume far louder than solo performances can ever produce.

Just as challenging times reveal inadequacies in temporal preparedness, so too the maladies of spiritual casualness and complacency inflict their most detrimental effects during difficult trials. We learn, for example, in the parable of the ten virgins that procrastinating preparation leads to unsuccessful proving. Recall how the five foolish virgins failed to prepare appropriately for the examination given to them on the day of the bridegroom’s coming.

“They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

“But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. …

“And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

“Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

“And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

“But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

“And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

“Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.”⁸

“But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, Ye know me not.”⁹

At least on this exam, the five foolish virgins proved themselves to be hearers only and not doers of the word.¹⁰

 

I have a friend who was a conscientious student in law school. During the course of a semester, Sam invested time every day to review, summarize, and learn from his notes for each course in which he was enrolled. He followed the same pattern for all of his classes at the end of every week and every month. His approach enabled him to learn the law and not merely memorize details. And as final examinations approached, Sam was prepared. In fact, he found the final exam period to be one of the least stressful parts of his legal training. Effective and timely preparation precedes successful proving.

Sam’s approach to his legal education highlights one of the Lord’s primary patterns for growth and development. “Thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more.”¹¹

 

I invite each of us to “consider [our] ways”¹² and “examine [ourselves], whether [we] be in the faith; [and] prove [our] own selves.”¹³ What have we learned during these recent months of lifestyle adjustments and restrictions? What do we need to improve in our lives spiritually, physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually? Now is the time to prepare and prove ourselves willing and able to do all things whatsoever the Lord our God shall command us.

 

Proving and Pressing Forward

I once attended a funeral for a young missionary who was killed in an accident. The missionary’s father spoke in the service and described the heartache of an unexpected mortal separation from a beloved child. He forthrightly declared that he personally did not understand the reasons or timing for such an event. But I always will remember this good man also declaring that he knew God knew the reasons and timing for the passing of his child—and that was good enough for him. He told the congregation that he and his family, though sorrowful, would be fine; their testimonies remained firm and steadfast. He concluded his remarks with this declaration: “I want you to know that as far as the gospel of Jesus Christ is concerned, our family is all in. We are all in.”

Though the loss of a dear loved one was heart-wrenching and difficult, the members of this valiant family spiritually were prepared to prove that they could learn lessons of eternal importance through the things that they suffered.¹⁴

 

Faithfulness is not foolishness or fanaticism. Rather, it is trusting and placing our confidence in Jesus Christ as our Savior, on His name, and in His promises. As we “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men,”¹⁵ we are blessed with an eternal perspective and vision that stretches far beyond our limited mortal capacity. We will be enabled to “gather together, and stand in holy places”¹⁶ and “be not moved, until the day of the Lord come.”¹⁷

While I was serving as the president of Brigham Young University–Idaho, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland came to the campus in December 1998 to speak in one of our weekly devotionals. Susan and I invited a group of students to meet and visit with Elder Holland before he delivered his message. As our time together was drawing to a close, I asked Elder Holland, “If you could teach these students just one thing, what would it be?”

He answered:

“We are witnessing an ever greater movement toward polarity. The middle-ground options will be removed from us as Latter-day Saints. The middle of the road will be withdrawn.

“If you are treading water in the current of a river, you will go somewhere. You simply will go wherever the current takes you. Going with the stream, following the tide, drifting in the current will not do.

“Choices have to be made. Not making a choice is a choice. Learn to choose now.”

Elder Holland’s statement about increasing polarization has been proven prophetic by the societal trends and events of the 22 years since he answered my question. Foretelling the widening divergence between the ways of the Lord and of the world, Elder Holland warned that the days of comfortably having one foot in the restored Church and one foot in the world were vanishing quickly. This servant of the Lord was encouraging the young people to choose, prepare, and become devoted disciples of the Savior. He was helping them to prepare and press forward to and through the proving, examining, and trying experiences of their lives.

Promise and Testimony

The process of proving ourselves is a fundamental part of Heavenly Father’s great plan of happiness. I promise that as we both prepare and press forward with faith in the Savior, we all can receive the same grade on the ultimate examination of mortality: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

I witness that God the Eternal Father is our Father. Jesus Christ is His Only Begotten and living Son, our Savior and Redeemer. Of these truths I joyfully testify in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen. 

I think that the only way to know if we are prepared is to experience trials. That is when we know how prepared we really are. 

Con amor,

Vero

 

Candle in the wind

Elton John made a tribute to Princess Diana at her Funeral using this song. I like wise pay tribute today to my uncle who passed away two week ago. Franklin Henriquez was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as Mission President in El Salvador (during a conflicted time of war in that country) and held many callings faithfully. Recently, he enjoyed serving in the Orlando temple as an ordinance worker.  He was compassionate and extremely genuine; he would do anything for anyone. He poured his heart and soul teaching and ministering up until the day he entered the hospital. I can picture tio Franklin playing the guitar or piano and singing "so it seems to me he lived his life like a candle in the wind never fading with the sunset when the rain set in..." 

Goodbye tio Franklin
May you ever grow in our hearts
You were the grace that placed itself
Where lives were torn apart
You called out to our country
And you whispered to those in pain
Now you belong to heaven
And the stars spell out your name

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never fading with the sunset
When the rain set in
And your footsteps will always fall here
Along our land's greenest hills
Your candle's burned out long before
Your legend ever will

Loveliness we've lost
These empty days without your smile
This torch we'll always carry
For our family's golden child
And even though we try
The truth brings us to tears
All our words cannot express
The joy you brought us through the years

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind

Never fading with the sunset 

When the rain set in

And your footsteps will always fall here

Along our land's greenest hills

Your candle's burned out long before 

Your legend ever will.

Con  amor,

Veronica 

"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear"

What I learned while visiting my daughter Cristi, is that if there is another emergency her family is well prepared. She is in no danger of running out of anything. She probably has enough food to last several years, at least. Her family does not have to worry about there not being enough of the essentials and that even includes medicine. She has backpacks for each family member. I do relate since I tend to bring everything that might possibly be needed wherever I go. But I believe Cristi is even more prepared than I ever was or will be. Everyone in Eagle knows who to come to in an emergency J

 

We have been warned time and time again that in the last days before the Savior comes we must be prepared for intense difficulties. “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” (Luke 21:25,26) 

 

It is somber to know we live in such times. The scriptural verses make us aware of what is to come, which is disturbing but we also have God’s promise that we will be watched over and we will not be left alone on our journey. We need to realize that these are our days and we were born at this time for a reason. 

 

“Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them; for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) 

 

At the October General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President and Prophet Russell M. Nelson remarked, “I urge you to take steps to be temporally prepared. But I am even more concern about your spiritual and emotional preparation.”  He recommended that we make our homes and church congregations places of safety. “We need to create places where we are safe, both physically and spiritually. When your home becomes a personal sanctuary of faith—where the spirit reside—your home becomes the first line of defense… Having places of security to which you can retreat will help you embrace the future with faith.”  

 

“If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” (Doctrine & Covenants 38:30) 

 

That was my take away from General Conference and feel the need to start preparing. I am so impressed with our children and their families. It gives us so much joy to see how they are embracing the future with faith in spite of turbulent times. Keep up the good work! 

 

Con amor,

Vero

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

How Do You Live Your Dash

How do you live your dash?

 

I read of a man who stood to speak

At the funeral of a friend

He referred to the dates on his tombstone,

From the beginning…to the end.

 

He noted that first came his date of birth

And spoke the following date with tears

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years.

 

For that dash represents

All the time he spent alive on earth…

And now only those who loved him

Know what that little line is worth.

 

For it matters not how much we own;

The cars…the house…the cash,

What matters is how we lived and love

And how we spend our dash.

 

So think about this long and hard…

Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left,

That can still be rearranged.

 

If we could just slow down enough

To consider what’s true and real,

And always try to understand

The way other people feel.

 

And be less quick to anger,

And show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives

Like we’ve never loved before.

 

If we treat each other with respect,

And more often wear a smile…

Remembering that this special dash

Might only last a little while.

 

So, when your eulogy’s being read

With your life’s actions to rehash…

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash? 

 Anonymous 

Dedicated to Franklin Henriquez whose funeral was today. 

Con amor,

Vero

Stretching out our vacation

This last trip to Utah was memorable at all levels. 

Each day was unique. Every day as I climbed into bed, I thought about my day and what events, reminders, tender mercies and blessings I received that day. I sometimes gave that day a name or describe it in a sentence like Daniel’s Priesthood blessing to Spencer, celebrating Sariah’s 19^th birthday or meeting Lyric Rose, our newest grandchild for the first time. 

 

Here is a countdown of the many things we did for the past six weeks:

*Our first time on a plane during a pandemic 

*Wearing our N95 masks inside our flights 

*Finding the best car available, a WV Tiguan at the rental lot 

*Finding all our vitamins at Costco, 

*Using a mother's day gift card from my mom at Macy’s to buy a nice blanket and stuff

*Getting all the stuff we needed to quarantine at Target and Harmons 

*Running into the Alliauds at Harmons who invited us for dinner 

*Finishing our 2019 tax return

*Using my points to buy my favorite books at Deseret Book 

*Giving the grandchildren gifts and candies for Halloween

*Giving Sariah her blanket and graduation gift 

*Selling a few stocks to help with a cause 

*Gave Walter and Vera their ABC Book

*Visiting Hernan and family in their new home

*Feeding the animals at the zoo

*Going to This is the Place park with Cristi, Brooks and family

*Helping Vale move into our apartment 

*Sending packages to Ani and Ale and grandchildren 

*Singing happy birthday to my sister Liz via zoom 

*Spending quality time with Mandy, and Vale 

*Doctor visits and more doctor visits 

*My thyroid medication needed to be adjusted. No wonder I wasn’t feeling well

*Traveling all day through Utah and Colorado

*Playing with Charlotte, Graeme and Amelia 

*Looking a the blueprints and lot for Pablo's new house

*Going to Cabela's, for Daniel’s binoculars and toys for the grandkids 

*Getting food for the dogs at Sam’s to take to Ani’s house and meeting her nice neighbor

*Visiting with Ani in Omaha 

*Daniel was allowed to give Spencer a priesthood blessing 

*Eating a nice expensive steak dinner in Nebraska 

*Driving all night back to Denver

*Breakfast at kneaders with Pablo and family 

*Driving all day back to Salt Lake 

*Cooks moved out of the 1705 apartment and left it impeccable for our use

*Staying at our beautiful apartment on the 17th floor watching the sunset each evening  

*Grateful to meet the new tenant and to be able to take care of the repairs

*Cristi sold her home where she had lived for the past thirteen years 

*Flying to Boise to help Cristi with the move

*Watching General Conference with Cristi, Brooks and family 

*Interesting to watch on line School for Nixon’s class

*Supporting Nixon’s soccer team buying a few golf balls

*Happy to see Paola to give her birthday present 

*Good to see Daniel’s nephew and family 

*Finding out I can’t take the flight to Buenos Aires due to visa issues 

*Purchasing two nice bar stools at Ashley’s for the apartment to replace old ones

*Watching Owen play soccer

*Watching Nixon plane soccer 

*At the indoor aquarium feeding the fish

*Getting my teeth clean felt so good

*Ordering take out a lot from our favorite restaurants

*Finding the best Salvadoran Restaurant in Logan, Utah

*Trips to la pequeñita and even rancho market for ethnic foods 

*Celebrating 11 years together

*Our rental car has to be taken to the dealer because of tire issues

*having to change the car to a Highlander was a tender mercy to 

*Cancelled our Vonage to replace it with my new phone

*Getting a new computer and apple watch 

*Finishing the book to give to Sariah for her birthday

*Attending the Mission Leadership Seminar via zoom

*Listening to the Bowens devotional on humanitarian work via zoom 

*Zoom meeting with missionaries from our ward. One missionary was born in Cebu

*Celebrated Sariah turning 19th birthday!

*Getting my mammogram which turned out normal

*Exchanged gifts with Dr. Khan who is our new tenant 

*Getting the sad news of tio Franklin’s death due to complications with COVID-19 

*In Connecticut meeting our newest grandbaby Lyric Rose for the first time

*Calling Vane to wish her a happy birthday along with the rest of our family via zoom

*Helping Bianca with organizing all the baby clothes 

*Having fun playing games and reading books to the girls and Isaac 

*Bianca took Lyric to a routine doctor appointment. She is perfect! 

*Fun to see the kiddos dress up for Halloween 

*Reading "Visions of Glory" and getting insights of what is to come

*Having a nice chat with Bianca as she took me to the airport

*No more extensions, our time in the US ended after six weeks

*Daniel making an extra effort to get my prescription before going home

*Meeting our new young Bishop via zoom at our annual tithing settlement 

*Staying all night packing six big suitcases, two carry-ons and two backpacks 

*Getting the apartment ready to be shown to prospect tenants 

*Celebrating día de los muertos sending flowers to my Aunt

*Boarding several flights to arrive in Buenos Aires 

*Getting in just in time before my visa expires again. 

*The start of quarantine one more time!

 

Con amor,

Vero

We are back!

This year, we managed to continue our eleven-year tradition by going to Utah during General Conference. The trip was intended primarily to visit family and doctors but it got extended due to issues with my visa to Argentina. It was our understanding that visas were automatically extended due to the pandemic but we were not told the rule did not apply if we left the country. Daniel was clear to travel back home because his visa has not expired but he decided to stay with me until my visa got extended. 

 

To make a long story short. Our trip to the US that was planned for three weeks took six weeks. We left on September 17 and did not come back until today, October 3^rd all because of visa issues with my residency status. Daniel worked remotely like always so anything he can do here, he can do there as well, nothing was skipped or delayed but for him, it’s important to be back in the area. 

 

We were told, we had make the trip back before the deadline of October 4^th and here we are starting our quarantine all over again. What I find so interesting is that the airline took our temperature before we could board the plane to make sure no one on the plane had a fever and again the airport took it when we arrived in Buenos Aires. We also signed some document stating that we had no symptoms or were with anyone who had symptoms. 

 

Too bad the visa expired so soon.  We needed another three days and it would have been perfect! We made it back two days short of my uncle’s funeral and one day short of going to the polls to cast our vote for a new president but it is what it is and we are grateful to have made it safe and sound. 

 

Now, let the quarantine begin! 

 

Con amor,

Vero

 

  

The meaning of a life well lived!

“Estoy deseando que recibas los regalos que más anhelas…pero no olvides que lo más importante es aquello que proviene del corazón… Ama más que nunca, practica el bien y encara la vida de frente, trabaja sin descanso por alcanzar tus sueños… Inspírate en aquello que te trae alegría y felicidad y vive todos los momentos en paz, pero sobre todo asegúrate de acudir a Dios para que vivas de verdad!” Franklin Henriquez

I am doing an exception in writing this post which I never do while I am away from home on vacation but my mind has been spinning and my heart has felt so heavy. I literally have felt every emotion, from anxiety to sadness for a situation I have no control over, such as death. Whenever I have felt so powerless, I do the only thing I know to do, and that is to pray. I have prayed for peace. “the peace that surpasses all understanding.” Philippians 4:7 

 

If I am feeling this much distraught, I can’t imagine what my sweet Aunt Norma and her children, Jeanny, Franklin Jr. Ricardo, Ana and Hilda are experiencing. My father passed away fourteen years ago and I still remember that call. The same call I received from my mom on Saturday. We call each other every day but for some reason when she called, that time, I felt the impression that she was going to be the bearer of bad news and my gut feeling was right. 

 

Uncle Franklin was a multifaceted fellow. Some knew him as “Ingeniero” or engineer, others as an Institute Instructor, others knew him as an entrepreneur, others as a Bishop, others as a Mission President, others as a guitarist, pianist and singer. yes, music was another of his talents, others knew him as their boss, others as their nice neighbor, others knew him as a Sunday School teacher who could spend hours explaining passages from the scriptures, others as a temple worker, others as a Master Teacher, (the best of the best!) others knew him as the guy who could fix anything (a handyman) and the list goes on and on... But for many fortunate people, they knew him as a friend, brother, father, grandfather and I was blessed to know him as my uncle. And for one person, my lucky Aunt Norma, knew him as her husband for fifty years and he was a good dancer too. Remarkable!

 

We all pray for miracles, we just don’t understand why some of those miracles never materialize and that is when we feel as if our prayers were not answered. Today it hit me, I don’t know everything. I don’t know why bad things happen to good people but I need to trust that the Lord knows.

 

I thought about those dear friends who recently lost their spouse due to cancer or complications from COOVID-19 and each of them were praying for a miracle, however there are times when God wills it and the sick absolutely get healed and the dead are raised. I have seen it happen many times but those miracles have a short shelf life, they don’t last for very long. The sick who are healed get sick again and the dead who are raised will still ultimately have to die. 

 

Perhaps the miracle we were given with the passing of my uncle is not transient, it is permanent and real. His illness is gone! He will never get sick and suffer physically again and best of all, he will never die again. He is at his best, energetic, happy and glorious. He is enjoying close associations with family members and dear friends on the other side. 

 

I imagine him busy like always, teaching and ministering to those who desire to be blessed by the Savior’s gospel plan. There is a plan, you know. And what is the most rewarding aspect of death is where you go. That is if you lived your life in a manner that qualifies you to obtain a life filled with joy that will never go away. All of this has come to pass because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which includes being resurrected and that is the greatest miracle of all. “I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. “John 11:25-26 

No doubt we are going to miss Tio Franklin a lot but we draw great comfort from these truths. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your loving kindness, concern, and prayers, in behalf of my extended family. 

 

Con amor,

Vero