Testimony

I am always nervous to bear my testimony, but super eager. Today I passed on the opportunity, even though there were large gaps of silence. I once heard someone say that they thought the silence during testimony was beautiful and peaceful. I may feel that way some day, but because I have had my fair share of tiny children that I needed to keep quiet during those bits of silence, while being borderline "hangry," I haven't learned to appreciate the silence much. I also think that silence between friends means you are angry. It's just not part of my personality.
Anyway, I passed up the opportunity today hoping that others would choose to share. But had I gotten up this is what I would have shared.
I know two songs by heart on the piano. One...is obvious....Chopsticks. The second is the simplified version of "We Thank Thee, Oh God, For a Prophet." I only know the top hand. We inherited a piano recently and I have enjoyed sitting down and tapping out "We Thank Thee, Oh God, For a Prophet" when I don't have time to pull out the simplified hymn book, and as a result I walk around with the words stuck in my head for the day. Recently one phrase from that song has been on repeat. "While those who reject this glad message shall never such happiness know."
I thought of that phrase after my sister had mentioned listening to her boss blast our faith. I thought of this phrase as I passed my neighbor riding her bike home. I looked at her with admiration of how strong she was even with such a great trial as losing a child. How do you pick up the pieces after that? And today as the YWs president in our ward bore her testimony and shared of her joy in the hardships of life and the gospel and why she couldn't "just take a break" from church.
"While they who reject this glad message shall never such happiness know."
I was also struck a lot by peoples testimonies of the prophet. We're in a sad state where we watch mortality take it's toll on his life. He is such a joyous man who has served SO much. I get overwhelmed with the thought of holding callings that require a lot of responsibilities. And how blessed we are to have the guidance of a prophet. It's a good life.
Many people also said farewell to two very impactful people in our ward. The Jepperson's. They have taught me so much and also shown that same, "shall never such happiness know." They are close to my heart because we both have sons with Down Syndrome. The Jepperson's have also taught me some very important lessons in life. The first was from a marriage presentation that they gave for an enrichment night. It was beautiful and showed me how amazing and happy marriage can be, even with bumpy spots. They shared that their marriage had always been blessed that when one person was in a weak spot in life the opposite would be stronger and able to help raise the other. It's hard to imagine that either could ever be in a low spot, but I was grateful for that knowledge. I loved hearing that even with how many years that they have been married that they still work on imperfections in their marriage, like saying "sorry." Nancy and I share that characteristic in marriage. It's not my strong point, but I am trying. Another lesson they taught I can't remember the subject, and I don't think I got to stay for the whole thing. The first was this super cute and romantic moment when Brother Jepperson encouraged us all to go listen to John Legend's "All of Me." I can't remember who was sitting next to me, but they were so shock at his music knowledge compared to his age. It was glorious. The second was even better. Vocabulary is not my strong point. I know the words I know, and unless I hear a word and it's meaning repeatedly, I can't really expand my vocabulary. Or it has to be really profound. Also, if you know me I can sort of suck at getting words right. Just ask my 8th grade English teacher.And one word that I have been getting wrong is the word consecrate. President Jepperson shared 2 Nephi 2:22.
Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine ^aafflictions for thy gain.
For all my years, and the many times I heard this scripture I had always interpreted this word to be "compensate." And for real, I thought that was what was being said. I thought that Heavenly Father would make up for the trials we have endured. One for example that I really thought of all the time in relation to this scripture was the trial of not having Neil's mom with us. When my heart would be heavy with that thought, sad for Neil, sad for me, and heartbroken for my children, I thought all will be well, Heavenly Father will make this up to you. WRONG! That is not what is being said, and it makes trying to comprehend how Heavenly Father could make up such a loss so much easier, because how can he make that up to us? Brother Jepperson was sharing his testimony of this scripture while talking to us about the loss of his son Josh. Which hurts my heart so, because that is their son with DS. The thought just crushes me. But President Jepperson testified to us that Heavenly Father will make those experiences holy to us. Consecrate=to make holy. I knew that, I just didn't connect it until that Sunday school class. I will miss their presence in our ward, and hope St. George can appreciate what they are getting.
Simple Sunday thoughts right there. I am grateful for this Gospel and the peace and joy it brings in to my life. The happiness too.
AMEN.