HEAVENLY MESSANGERS

"We move and have our being in the presence of heavenly messengers.....We are not separate from them....We are closely related to our kindred, to our ancestors, to our friends, and associates, and co-laborers who have preceded us into the spirit world. We cannot forget them; we do not cease to love them; we always hold them in our hearts, in memory, and thus we are associated and united to them by ties that we cannot break....Those who have been faithful, who have gone beyond and are still engaged in the work for the salvation of the souls of men,.....can see us better than we can see them... We live in their presence, they see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more than ever."

- President Joseph F. Smith, "Messages of the First Presidency", p 6-7

TO A CHILD GONE

I thought I was ahead of you in line.
You would take your turn
After I took mine.
Like we did before.

I guess you don't need new shoes
For starting heaven.
Or a light left on against the dark
The way I always did.
But I'm so used to parenting,
I wanted just to be there -
To do whatever needed to be done.

But you went first.
And now, my little one,
Suddenly you are my senior.
Morning, I know, will come.
But, bring close your light -
This time it is I who fear the night.

- Carol Lynn Pearson