Today I received an email from a dear friend whose daughter has gone missing. My heart literally broke but I did the first things which came to mind. I prayed and then I called the temple and put the family name on the prayer roll. Latter-day Saints tend to respond differently to the tragedies of life. Yes, we cry. Without doubt, we grieve, but we tap into a strength that is connected to the heavens.
As I pondered the situation, other thoughts poured into my mind. It is always difficult when the willful decisions of a child places them in so much danger. Surely God watches and grieves from the heavens as child after child makes decisions that will bring them only sorrow and pain. It literally breaks the heart of a parent to have a child suffer so. I believe, when Lucifer made the choice he made, our Heavenly Parents wept greatly for they knew in that path lay only eternal damnation. Lucifer with his abilities to persuade, manipulate and deceive drew a full 1/3 of the hosts of heaven away. But it is not, nor will it ever be, the eternal law to force a child to walk the path we know to hold the greatest reward. We can only teach, step back, love and support and then be there to pick up the pieces.
As parents, we are not exempt from life. Sadly, there are criminals and predators in every corner of the world. There will always be those who prey on the weaker and more vulnerable. But I beg each of you to remember this, we have a loving Heavenly Father and a loving Savior, Jesus Christ, who will stand for us if we but let them. We have blessings, rewards, talents, gifts, strengths all given to us that we may fight this daily mortal battle . . . and win.
So do not lose hope. Do not despair. Break through the wall of misery and turn it all over to the Lord. For in His hands our burdens, sorrows and pain are much more bearable. Wrap your arms around family and friends and remember that you’ve known them much longer than you think. Family and friends are one of the most precious things that Heavenly Father granted when He hugged us and sent us on our way with our metaphorical back pack and sack lunch. He created on earth the family unit patterned after the one in heaven. He gave us a structure for strength and love that is second to none.
My prayers and thoughts go out to my dear friend in the hopes that her precious daughter will be returned to her quickly.