Something really cool happened in AZ that I was thinking about last night. My nephew, Everett, is the one on the left in this photo. He was with us on the trip, he is one and a half and just learning how to talk. My sister Fiona (his Mom) and I were playing with him, and she asked "Do you remember Heavenly Father?" Everett said "Bes" (which means yes).
I was amazed! He may be just giving an answer when he doesn't really understand the question, but what if he did understand?
We tried to ask him more simple questions like "Does He love you?" and "Is He a nice guy?" but all we got after that was unintelligible baby babble.
As I was pondering this I wondered if the veil that removes our memory of the premortal existence is a gradual thing. Maybe young children really do remember because the veil doesn't completely cover their eyes yet.
I know I can't remember anything before a certain age except for scrapbooked photos and I wonder if there is a divine reason for His childrens' lack of memory of their early years. Perhaps during those years we are very close to our Heavenly Father, but in order for His plan to work He must soon remove our memory of Him completely.
I am also pondering the idea of when the spirit meets the body. This is a common, but very ambiguous question in the argument about abortion. I loathe abortion and I believe that even the smallest form of human life should be cherished. Anyway, most of our changes in this life are gradual changes. For example, we mature gradually, we gradually gain a testimony of the gospel, we gradually decide what we want to be when we grow up, etc. Could the process of coming from our premortal life to this mortal life also be a gradual one? What if, for some period of time, in the womb or out of it, we are really dwelling in both worlds to an extent? Could Everett have been closer to our Father than I realized? What a blessing it will be in my home to have children so close to my Father. I think I will constantly be asking them to give Him messages from me, asking for forgiveness or help or blessings on others. In this life I will probably never know the true process of how our spirits come into this life, but I know that these infants are pure spirits that we should cherish.
It's interesting and so cool how I can get so many small blessings and insights from God when I am obedient. The instance when my nephew said he remembered Heavenly Father occurred at a time when I was reading scriptures and praying daily. Sometimes it is difficult for me to keep that habit. But the Holy Ghost brought this to my remembrance at a time when I was also reading my scriptures. I could know so much if I were just diligent in my prayers and scripture study! Heavenly Father truly blesses me.
Sorry my thoughts are kind of scattered. It's difficult to try and fit these experiences and concepts into words.
It was so good to see her in the temple FINALLY being sealed to the man she loves! My grandpa was coincidentally the sealer. How cool! I am so happy for her!
...Was awesome! It was a little cold at night but Myles and I survived in our 2-person sleeping bag. :) We saw so many cool animals I'd never seen before, and some I had seen before, just not that close.
