Good afternoon
dear brothers and sisters.
It’s a wonderful
privilege to be invited here today on behalf of the District Presidency. I
bring with me the blessings and greetings from our District President. I was
asked to give a talk today and I am inspired to give a message on the
importance of families.
I know that the
most wonderful gift that Heavenly Father has given to me in this life is my
family. We knew from the teachings of the gospel that families can be together
forever.
Even before the
creation of this world, God – our Heavenly Father, organized us His spirit children
to take part in a glorious plan. Families were organized before the world was
made. We rejoiced and sing with the angels in heaven as we prepare to come
to earth.
To become parent
on earth we accepted a sacred calling of being a steward and caretaker to a
group of other spirits who will become our children on the earth. From us, they
will learn the ways and things of this world. They will have to be nurtured,
and fed, and taught of the good things in life. We pledge accountable to
whatever upbringing these children will have in their life. As parents to these
children, Heavenly Father expected that we be good example to them; that we
show all our love, and kindness, and patience, and understanding to each and
every one of them unconditionally and without reservation.
As a father and a
mother, Heavenly Father expected that we be peacemakers, loyal and loving to
each other as a couple. From our ways, our children will grow and learn the
importance of love and devotion, peace and kindness, and the meaning of true happiness
that comes from sacrifice.
Our families can
bring us joy in this life. But sometimes, because of some unfortunate events in
life, some of our children may fall astray. There are some that will find their
way out from under the safety of our wings. Just like the story of the prodigal
son who went his own way but lost. Yet again, Heavenly Father expected that we
should always be ready for this with open arms to welcome back those who had
gone astray.
I grew up in a humble
home with loving parents who truly loved and cared for their children. I have 3
siblings – a brother and a couple of sisters. My mother was a simple
housekeeper. My father works as a conveyor operator. His salary was slim yet my
mother was able to manage it in order to make things meet to my father’s next
pay day. I never heard my mom complained about my father’s earnings. They seem
to be happy and contented. We lived by a river bank in a small stilt house. But
we call it a home. With her care, our home was always clean and orderly. My mother sees to it that our home is as
comfortable as she would like it to be for all of us. At night, with her
beautiful sweet voice she would sing us a lullaby to sleep.
We were always
neat and clean to school. My mom makes sure that her children always look best.
She baths us everyday and sprays us with her perfume. Everyday my mom would
walk half a mile to school under scourging heat just to bring us our kalamansi
drinks and sandwiches during recess.
My father is a
humble and honest man. He is very friendly and jokes around a lot. I remember
him one day, when I was only six or eight, when he slowly creped behind the
front door and let fly a Maya bird to our family’s delightful surprise.
Life was so simple
back then. Those simple memories were the sweetest memories I have in my life.
My mom passed away when I was 12. Things have changed since then. My father
remarried. Our step mom was one of my mom’s best friends and she was good to
us. We have grown and found success through life and struggle. My father passed
away around 12 years ago.
Now, I have my own
family. Heavenly Father was kind to me. He has given me a loving wife and two
wonderful sons. Indeed, I could say that I am blessed so much to experience a
good family life. It was not all that perfect, but at least it was the best for
me.
As I watch my sons
grow and to witness their achievements and failures in life, I am happy to take
part in their life’s journey. I am glad that my wife and I were both there
together on their side through thick and thin. In times of sickness I am glad
that I was there to hold their hands when they needed me most for comfort and
warmth.
President Thomas
S. Monson told this story, “Near the end of his life, one father looked back
on how he had spent his time on earth. An acclaimed, respected author of
numerous scholarly works, he said, ‘I wish I had written one less book and
taken my children fishing more often.’ Time passes quickly. Many parents say
that it seems like yesterday that their children were born. Now those children
are grown, perhaps with children of their own. ‘Where did the years go?’ they
ask. We cannot call back time that is past, we cannot stop time that now is,
and we cannot experience the future in our present state. Time is a gift, a
treasure not to be put aside for the future but to be used wisely in the
present.”
Brothers and
sisters let us not waste our time being away from our husbands, wives and
children. Let us earnestly set a goal to be reunited with them as soon as
possible. Time is precious. We cannot pull back time. Money cannot buy our love
and presence with our family.
Elder Boyd K.
Packer counseled, “Fear is the opposite of faith. We move forward, certain
that the Lord will watch over us, particularly in the family.”
I bear witness
that Heavenly Father is always there to guide us and direct us. He will provide
us with all our daily and urgent needs as He has promised time and time again.
I bear with you
this testimony that things are true, in the sacred name of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. Amen.
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