White

White- For Purity from the Journey 

          One of the many perks of living in the wonderful state of Ohio is that I was able to visit many historical church sites throughout my youth. Nauvoo was one of the amazing places that I grew to know and love well. 

          When I was going through a really difficult time right before I graduated from High School, I was able to go to Nauvoo for a Youth Conference. I knew that summer would be my last one in my beloved Ohio not only because I would be going away to college, but because my family had fallen apart. 

          As I visited the places were dedicated early members of the church lived and loved life, I felt such a deep connection to them (come to find out later, that I have ancestors who lived there and crossed the plains in the Exodus West). Learning about what they went through and how much they were willing to sacrifice truly touched my heart. They were willing to leave everything behind because they knew the church was true. They knew what the Lord wanted them to do and they were willing to do it. I felt so strengthened by their amazing example! If they could leave everything behind, so could I. 

          Before I had been wondering why God was putting me through this, but as I walked the old paths of Nauvoo I realized that I was grateful. The path had been hard and it would only get harder. But I felt renewed in the knowledge that as long as I was following the Lord's path, it would be worth it. That even though it would be a heart wrenching and back breaking trek, that everything would be ok. 

         Later that summer on our way to Utah, my mom and I stopped in Nauvoo. We saw this statue below of two tender parents helping their young child learning to walk. I realized in that moment that this is exactly like our earthly life. For a brief moment, we are out of the safe embrace of our loving Heavenly Father and Mother. But they are there waiting to catch us! Learning to walk through all of the trials of this life if not easy, but it was not designed to be easy. It may seem like a punishment from God at times. But in reality, these tests are an everlasting witness of His undying love for us. He loves us enough to let us learn. He loves us enough to let us fall. And He loves us enough to never leave our side. 

"Yes, my fretting,

Frowning child,

I could cross

The room to you

More easily.

But I’ve already

Learned to walk,

So I make you

Come to me.

Let go now

There!

You see?

Oh, remember

This simple lesson,

Child,

And when

In later years

You cry out

With tight fists

And tears

“Oh, help me,

God—please.”

Just listen

And you’ll hear

A silent voice:

“I would, child,

I would.

But it’s you,

Not I,

Who needs to try

Godhood.”"

        This poem was shared by someone that I really look up to and who understands a lot of what I've been through. I had to share it as well! It goes along perfectly with the feelings I've had and the point that I've tried to articulate.

        I know that as we learn to walk in this life that we will be made pure as we learn Godliness. 

       Again, it won't be easy. But it will be worth it. And when we make it back to our loving Father's arms, white and pure like Him, we will thank Him for giving us the journey. The journey that helped us learn and grow.