Things That Matter

Mary and Esther,

I haven't written you a letter in quite awhile, and I promise I will soon post updates on all your adventures and new tricks, but for now there is something else I need to share with you. I'm not sure why, but for quite sometime I've felt like I needed to write these things down. Whether this is for you or me or someone else I'm not sure, but I still need to share.

These are the things that I think matter in life (in no particular order)... I hope you will grow up to find the same to be true.

1. Family

I have always felt a strong bond with my family, both immediate and extended, both living and passed on. I know that there is more to family relationships than this mortal experience, and I am so grateful for that. We are bound together with bonds that cannot be broken. I know that through sacred covenants made in the temple our family has been sealed together forever, and that, if we remain faithful, all of Heavenly Father's choicest blessings will be ours.

I am happiest when I am near my family. I have so many wonderful memories of family reunions and vacations. I hope you will be able to have similar experiences in your life. Treasure the time you have with your family.

Make having a family a priority. Cherish your marriage and your children. Many will tell you that there are more important or desirable things... money, vacations, careers, etc. But I have found that I am happiest when I am dedicating my time to my family. Not everyone can be a stay at home mom, but I am so grateful and I am so blessed to be able to be one. There is nothing better than watching you two learn new things. I treasure the time I have with you. I can't think of anything else in this world that is better than raising a family. If for some reason having children can't happen for you, know that there are many other ways to be happy in this life. Be grateful for what you have even if it isn't the ideal. Cherish whatever family you are blessed with, but seek to have an eternal family of your own. Heavenly Father will bless you for your efforts.

I hope you always know that your family loves, cherishes, and adores you both. We are all amazed at what joy you bring to us and will always love you no matter what.

2. The Savior

I need you to know that I love my Savior very much. There have been times in my life when I have felt very alone. When I felt that no one could possibly know how I was feeling. There have been times when I doubted. There have been times when I have felt like I was wandering down a dark path with no idea what was in front of me. But I can tell you that as I got down on my knees and prayed for help, prayed for comfort, it was always there. I have been lifted and guided in ways that I didn't always notice immediately, but in hindsight I can see and feel the hand of God in my life.

I am so grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ. I have made many, many mistakes in my life. In fact, I make mistakes everyday. I am so grateful that my Savior lived and died so that I can repent and return to live with my Heavenly Father again. What a beautiful blessing repentance is. For me the hardest and most important part of repentance and applying the atonement in my life has been forgiving myself. This step has been crucial to me being able to move on and become a better person. Once you've repented of a mistake, allow yourself to move on and become better. We all make mistakes. Satan would want you to believe that you can't repent, that you can't become better, that you have done too many bad things too many times to be worthy of forgiveness. Never fall for his lies. It just isn't true. Also remember that it is essential to forgive others. Many people will hurt you, and I am sure there will be times when you feel like you can't possibly forgive them. This is a lesson that I am still working on learning. I have found that the more quickly I forgive, the more quickly the wounds heal and life can move on.

I would encourage you to come to know your Savior. He will always be there for you in good times and in bad. He will celebrate your most joyous moments, and weep with you in your tragedies. Let Him in, and you will be blessed.

3. Values

I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for you, as He has a plan for all of His children. I know that we can be truly happy when we live our lives in accordance with the teachings of the Gospel.

Know that being modest, chaste, virtuous, honest, charitable, and faithful are the very best things you can be.

Modesty in dress and language shows that you respect yourself and others. Don't let yourself make exceptions... well it's a special occasion or this is really cute, etc. It isn't worth it, and those things just don't matter.

Chastity and virtue are prized possessions that should be guarded and treasured. The gift of life is precious, and should be treated with the highest respect.

Honesty in all things is essential. Don't let little lies and cheats get between you and feeling the influence of the Spirit--it is never worth it. If they didn't charge you enough at the grocery store, get it fixed. If you made a mistake on your taxes, fix it. Don't cheat in school. I would rather you get bad grades by your own efforts than get good grades by cheating off of somebody else. But be honest in your efforts, always do your honest best. Don't make things up to cover up mistakes. Lies will always come back to you. Honesty is always the best option. In fact, just make it the only option and you will be much happier.

Charity is the greatest of all the gifts our Heavenly Father can give to His children. Seek to understand others and to know their hearts. Try to bless the lives of others by the things that you do and the words that you speak. Seek to develop this gift. It will greatly bless your life.

There will be many who will tell you otherwise. The world would have you think that religion, faith, and strict adherence to the commandments are outdated, antiquated, and unnecessary. Many will say that you are blindly following silly rules for no reason. Don't believe these things. They aren't true. Continue on. Stand up for what you believe in even when it isn't popular.

4. Taking Time for the Gospel

I have a great testimony of the restored Gospel. I am so grateful to have a Prophet and Apostles who receive revelations and inspiration from our Heavenly Father to help us and guide us in our time. I am also grateful for the scriptures.

Right after starting seminary, at the age of 14, I learned that one of the class requirements was to study the scriptures everyday for at least 10 minutes. At first I was stubborn, I thought that I couldn't possibly fit one more thing into my busy schedule and I was insistent that studying the scriptures would not have any real impact on my life. I decided that I was going to prove them wrong, so I started studying, thinking that I would show them that studying the scriptures wouldn't make any difference. It's been nearly 10 years since I issued that stubborn challenge, and I haven't missed a day since. I know that my life has been richly blessed by dedicating a small portion of my time everyday to building a relationship with my Heavenly Father. My studies haven't always been in depth, but I have always been blessed for taking the time to invite the Spirit into my life. I know you will be blessed if you take the time to study the Gospel.

I also know that we are greatly blessed when we take the time to go to Church and partake of the Sacrament every week. What a beautiful opportunity to escape from the world and renew the covenants we have made with our Heavenly Father. Always go to church. Take that time to renew and refocus.

5. The Temple

The temple matters because it is where families are bound together for eternity, and it is where we can be closest to our Heavenly Father. Seek to be worthy to be married in the temple. Go there often. Go there to seek inspiration and to receive comfort. If you have the opportunity, take the time to be a temple worker. I was able to, and it was a great blessing for me. I learned so much.

Always honor your covenants. There are no exceptions. Once you have made those commitments, never forget about them. Respect them always.

6. Learning

Get an education. Study good things. Love what you're learning. Putting effort into your studies will greatly bless your life. I am so grateful for the education I received. Don't stop learning even when you are done with school. Enrich your life with good things.

7. Laughing

Never take yourself too seriously. Laughing can cure all sorts of problems. Laugh at your silly mistakes. Laugh when you trip going up the stairs. Laugh when dinner gets burned. Laugh when your kids color on the furniture (ahem...).

8. Giving

Never forget that this life is about more than just you. Remember to give to others. Give of your time and your means. Give of what you have, even when you don't have much. You will receive much in return. You will never find greater joy then in finding ways to serve others. Give, give, give.

I know you aren't even two yet, but I hope that someday this will be meaningful to you. I love you forever. You are my greatest blessings.

Mommy