I sat in Sacrament Meeting last Sunday feeling like a total chump. People were bearing their testimonies about how sad they were to hear about the passing of the prophet. I felt like a terrible person because I was not sad at all! The moment I heard the news I felt joy!
The joy I felt was joy for him! Joy that his suffering was over. Joy that he was with his beloved wife whom obviously missed very much. Joy that his work and commitment to the gospel would continue. Joy in knowing that this is not the end.
I talked to my sister a few days later and told her my feelings. I also talked to Jared about it. They both made me feel much better. For me personally, there is nothing to fee sad about. The gospel will go on! Another prophet will step into his place! Yes, I will miss his touching and heartfelt conference talks, but I have a plethora of archived talks to refer back to. Yes, I will miss his tender nature and spirit but his influence lives on in my heart. Yes, his personal touch and friendly influence felt by those he came in contact with are gone for now, but I have felt personally ministered to by him and I will cherish that forever.
President Monson will forever have a special place in my heart. I will never forget one of his last talks when he referenced Alice in Wonderland. The quote he cited from the Cheshire Cat will forever be engrained in my mind, "...If you do not know where you want to go, it doesn’t matter which path you take.” That single quote has helped me be more firm in my convictions.
A few other quotes I love from him:
"Never fail to follow a prompting."
"Find joy in the journey- now."
“To catch the real meaning of the spirit of Christmas, we need only drop the last syllable and it becomes the Spirit of Christ.”
“Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.”
“Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.”
“Face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and triumph with humility.”
“Decisions Determine Destiny.”
I may not feel the same sadness others feel but I will forever be changed because I felt his influence in my life.
