After I got in bed last night, after my nightly prayers and before I did my nightime reading, I got a text from a friend saying that President Russell M. Nelson had died, around 10 PM, that night. He was 101. So rest in peace dear President Nelson. When I think of him, I think of the fact that he had nine daughters and one son. I think of his career as a heart surgeon. I remember how he studied Mandarin Chinese after hearing President Kimball ask the people in attendance at a meeting where they both were to learn Mandarin, so they could serve Chinese people. I think of my grandmother who was particularly fond of a talk that he gave at BYU, in 1987, called “The Magnificence of Man.” She was so enamored with it that she made copies of it from the BYU magazine for alumni for each of her grandchildren. You can read it here or watch it below. It’s all about the wonders of the human body.

My favorite talk of his was the talk he gave at a RootsTech conference, where he shared the story of his grandfather being visited by the spirit of his deceased father. You can read the talk here or watch it below.

I am grateful for his emphasis on temple work. I am grateful for his example of dedication and service in Christ’s name to God, family, and others. How happy he must be to be in heaven with his dearly departed wife Dantzel and his daughter who died at a relatively young age of cancer.

How interesting that his death happened the same month as the Charlie Kirk assassination and the shooting in a Michigan chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, right during a church service. I am so saddened to hear of that horrible violent event. I’m praying that the victims and loved ones of the victims will find healing and peace despite this trauma, especially those little children who witnessed it.

We are living in times where Black Swan events are coming closer and closer together. Watch this video below of Rod Meldrum with Michael Rush explaining what a Black Swan event is. Charlie Kirk’s assassination definitely counts as a Black Swan event.

Despite the Black Swans that will probably keep coming at a faster rate, we have the assurance from President Nelson that the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ will continue. He told Church members “Wait till next year, and then the next year. Eat your vitamin pills. Get some rest. It’s going to be exciting.”

I also love that he said the following:

“But, my dear brothers and sisters, so many wonderful things are ahead. In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns ‘with power and great glory,’ He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful.” (see the full talk here)

I just love that!

I had a mini-miracle this past week, a tender mercy. About a week ago, I read aloud the book Prayer for a Child by Rachel Field and illustrated by Elizabeth Orton Jones as part of our Morning Basket time for homeschooling. The book has a page in it with an illustration of children from all around the world, representing different races. I saw it and thought, this image is just so lovely. I wish I could turn this page into a framed piece of art for my wall, but I don’t want to take this page out of the book. I wish I could have another copy.

Then for the last few days of this past week, I babysat my grandson who lives in TX (the one who was born 18 months ago, right before the solar eclipse in April 2024). His parents have been in town for a few days to go to the Faith Matters Restore Conference. I agreed to babysit the little guy for Thursday night, all day Friday and all day Saturday while they attended the conference. So I thought of stuff to do with a little toddler in tow. My first idea, after playing with some toys with him, reading to him, and taking him on a walk, was to go thrifting! I texted my married daughter and asked her if she wanted to go thrifting with me. She said yes so we met at the Springville Deseret Industries (DI). Guess what I found? The above book in a board book edition! It’s big and so beautiful! Only $1.50! So now I can break apart the other book and frame that page, plus any others I want to! When we got back from our thrifting jaunt, the first thing I did was read aloud my new Prayer for a Child board book to him. It’s such a gorgeous book, published in 1941. and winner of the Caldecott Medal, for its beautiful illustrations. When I read this book, I picture my mom a as a little girl because this book was written when she was turning 2 that year. I’m recalling a photo of her at that age, where and she looked like the little girl, with blond hair and soft eyes. I just love the glowing, comfy, warm, cozy adoring family life it depicts. It features a prayer worth repeating today, in the midst of all that’s going on, one I hope will resound in the home of every family during this pivotal time of earth’s history.

Another exciting thing is that I found out today that this same son and daughter-in-law are expecting another baby in April 2026. I’m so happy about that!

I pray that we may each find peace, hope, healing and strength in our Lord Jesus Christ to move forward in faith, despite the scary things going on. May we choose not to give into fear. May we all remember that truly the best is yet to come, because of Christ!