I have a fetish with trees. It started when I was a little girl as I watched the leaves of the Quaking Aspen outside my window shiver in the evening breeze. This love bloomed further as I often journeyed on main street in my hometown and basked in the shade and beauty of the street-lined Sycamores. My love for trees was solidified when my Michael and I made our home on Custer Avenue in Ogden. We had an enormous Maple in the front and backyards that continually offered shelter and beauty with each passing season. I love that the place Eric and I have chosen to build our roots is surrounded by trees of many kind. But the most profound reason for my love of these God-given resources can be found in the Book of Mormon in 1st Nephi 8:10-12:
10 And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.
11 And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.
12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.
And then in 1st Nephi 11:21-22:
21 And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?
22 And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.
I don't know that I've learned a more profound lesson in life so far than the lesson I've learned from the feeling of God's love. That feeling has transformed me and inspired me. I know that God loves me and has taken well care of me. He knows my soul and cares for me. Yes, I have had a good share of heartache in my life thus far. I have had days when all I've wanted to do is cry myself into oblivion. I've experienced heartache as its pain has flowed through my veins and nearly crushed my heart. I've had stress instead of peace, doubt instead of faith, and deep anger instead of Christlike love. But with time, a spiritual perspective, and an eye of gratitude, it isn't hard to see that God has been right with me and has offered support, preservation, and love. Nephi's words say it all:
"My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh."
I hope our kids can know and feel of my testimony of these things. I hope they can stay close to God no matter the circumstance, that they can seek His help and have faith and patience as he quietly guides, strengthens, comforts, and LOVES us. I hope they can offer that same kind of love to others, even if in their own small way. While I often fall short in offering this supernal type of love to those around me, I know assuredly that the more we can offer this love to others, the more we can feel it and be changed for the better by it.
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