Rhyl, Wales and See-You-Later Scriptures

By the sea, the beautiful sea . . .


We had another day in Wales as we opened another apartment for the missionaries.  It was a rainy and windy day, but I walked the beach anyway.  I needed it.  Elder Blain took off with the missionaries to the new place to show them around.  Leaving our present area and moving to another has left me in a rather melancholy mood and reflective of the past year's experience.  For me, there is nothing like the sea to provide solitude for meditation.  Its atmosphere uplifts my mind and helps put perspective to my existence and purpose.

There's a sign telling us where to go to the sea--I'm always so excited when  we're heading for the coast!

The tide is coming in.  It wasn't too many weeks ago when we were here and couldn't see the waves as low tide had receded so far out.  It is a gray, windy and drizzly day

Notice how quickly the tide has covered the pilings.  Just moments before I had walked at the end of those and looked for treasures.

Anyone who knows me will know there is no end to my gathering favorite rocks.  The problem is, I cannot take them all home with me with the weight restrictions on the airlines!  Here's a way for me to preserve what I feel are treasures.  I felt as if I were in heaven while sitting there with my rocks and shells (the shells aren't in the picture because they are in my pocket.  Some rocks and shells stayed in my pocket to be sorted out when I get home.  Some will go home with me because I cannot resist them.  Others, I'll look at later and wonder why I thought they were so wonderful.  The rocks always look better wet and some of the shells will have chips I didn't notice at first until they got cleaned up.

See-You Later Scriptures (not good bye)

As Elder Blain and I go around to visit some of the people who have blessed our lives while we have been in this area, we have found ourselves sharing a last scriptural message, which we share below. We didn't plan ahead as to what message we would leave, nor coordinate or agree ahead of time that this is what we would do, though missionaries are always supposed to leave a teaching, a testimony, or something spiritual for people to ponder upon.  It is just working out this way and we'll go with the flow as long as the Holy Ghost directs us.

My scripture comes from the great sermon that King Benjamin gave his people as a farewell exhortation.  He built a high tower facing the people who had pitched their tents so the doors were facing the tower.  For those who were too far away to hear, he sent out messengers who took his address to them in written form.  It seems his address went on for a matter of days as he reviewed all the gospel principles, called the people to repentance, and gave personal accountability before the people pertaining to his reign.  He must have pondered long and hard as to what needed to be said to strengthen and encourage his people to stay close to the Lord.  He loved them so much and desired to see them all again.  He wished more than anything for them to be happy.  After his speech, he asked for a personal commitment from all the people did covenant to take upon them the name of Christ and to be faithful and righteous the rest of their lives.  What joy must have been in King Benjamin's heart!

The old king, having done his best in all things, then made sure all was organized properly in the Church, appointing priests to continue to teach the people after he was gone.  He turned his reign over to his son, Mosiah, and lived just three more year.  I'm sure he died in peace knowing he would see his people when they were all reunited in great joy to live with Heavenly Father someday.  The scriptures record that his son, Mosiah, ". . . did walk in the ways of the Lord, and did observe his judgments and his statutes, and did keep his commandments in all things whatsoever he commanded him . . . that he might do according to that which his father had done in all things (Mosiah 6:6-7)."

My heart's desire feels much like King Benjamin's and this is why I chose this particular scripture.


And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God.  For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.  O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.  Mosiah 2:41


Elder Blain's scripture is from Doctrine and Covenants, a revelation given to Joseph Smith, the Prophet to the Church, at Kirtland

Elder Blain counsels that we need to listen, since here the Savior asks us twice, quite strongly, to pay attention--to hearken to what he has to say.

Hearken, O ye people of my church, to whom the kingdom has been given; hearken ye and give ear to him who laid the foundation of the earth, who made the heavens and all the hosts thereof, and by whom all things were made which live, and move, and have a being.  And again I say, hearken unto my voice, lest death shall overtake you; in an hour when ye think not the summer shall be past, and the harvest ended, and your souls not saved.  Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him . . .  D&C 45:1-3


More later.   Have to go to lunch with a dear person and read these scriptures (probably) and do a Young Single Adult activity tonight.