Living by the scriptures
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Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. — Mark 10:15
Having the common characteristics of autism such as avoiding touching, my 11-year-old grandson, Jared, faces a multiplicity of challenges daily. Our family was struck in heartfelt awe when Jared was nine, while looking at his older brother, Eli, suddenly put his arms around him and tenderly spoke, "You're my Eli." His hugging was repeated with his father as he said, "You're my dad." Likewise, continuing around the room, he held his mother closely in his arms saying, "You're my mom." Then, also, hugging his aunt he told her, "You're my Aunt Carla." Lastly I, too, received his warm embrace and loving expression, "You're my grandmamma."
Feeling the poignant, overwhelming power of the Spirit in our midst stirred recollection of Heavenly Father's appearance in the Sacred Grove with the Savior to the Prophet Joseph Smith. When introducing His Son, Heavenly Father used the adjective "beloved," and admonished, "Hear Him!"
In such a simple, touching way Jared was an instrument in God's hands in spreading divine love and gently reminding us of the sublime knowledge that Jesus loves and cares for each one of us. Though we did not hear Him with our ears we, in humility, felt the Savior's love speak to our hearts. For a few unexpected, extraordinary moments this precious child helped us prepare to be more fit for the kingdom as he spiritually brought us, humbly and sweetly, into the presence of our Savior. — Carolyn Joyner Freebairn, Salt Lake City, Utah
