More Precious than Gold

[hethathathears]

About 10 years ago I was a manager for a grocery store type convenience store change. It was a really amazing opportunity where those who aren't afraid to work could really clean up and make a lot of money. I had worked my way up to the number one store in the entire company out of 120 stores. I don't think it was so much me that earned the position as it was the Lord blessing me for my righteous choices that I had made in the past.

As the time went by I really began making amazing commission checks, and I always desired to make more. I began working 60 and 70 hour weeks, all in the name of making more money. When Sunday came, I would go in and do the paper work and transmit the information, but I would try not to do anything else. However, putting in that many hours, I felt justified to stay at home and watch T.V. instead of accompany my family to Church. Family Home Even fell by the way side as well as family prayer and even scripture study. My children at that time were Joshua age 12, Christopher age 10, and Sarah age 9. I thought that my family should have been externally grateful for the sacrifice that I was doing for them earning over a 100,000 dollars a year. With that kind of money we had all the coolest toys. Then I noticed that things began to change around the house, there began to be problems, fights and disharmony. Things began to unravel. Surely it couldn't have been me. Then one night I had a dream that totally changed my life.

I saw in my dream that everything was bright white. I also noticed that the floors where amazingly shiny and bright. The next thing I noticed was three people walking towards me, dressed in brillant white temple close. When they arrived I noticed that it was my kids, but instead of being young and small, they were all the same size and age as I was. They were beaming with excitement and joy. Sarah burst out, Jim we have all drawn the assignment to come down to be raised by you in our earthly probation. I sensed that we had a very close relationship in the Pre-Earth Life and that they were very excited about coming down to be mentored by me because they knew I would be faithful and diligent in my raising them unto the Lord. Each one expressed there approvel that I had been chosen to be their father upon the earth. Then my daughter said those faithful words, "And please, please make our home a gospel centered home."

I woke up after that as I pondered that dream. My stomic was in knots as I reflexed upon my track record as a father concerning things that matter most. Up until that time I had lost track of my mission on earth. Even more, I began to realize that in the Pre-Earth Life they were not my children, they were my Brothers and Sisters, and an Almighty God gave me a stewardship to raise and mentor them as my children to be mighty in faith, and I got so caught up with the Earth experience that I had forgotten my promise. Every since that time I have always strived to remember to make my home a gospel centered home. I realize that I am the captain of my crew, and if I am weak in faith, more than likely my family will follow suit. However, if my faith and relationship with my Savior is what matters most in my life, then that will rub off on my family. I learned that testimony and values are not taught, they are caught.

Edited August 4, 2008 by hethathathears

[rameumptom]

My patriarch growing up was William Maughan of the Missoula, MT stake. He related a similar, but interesting story that occurred to him.

When in his early 20s, married with small children, he was a strong man and hard worker. An eight hour job was an easy thing for him, and so he considered working 16 hours and making that much more money to get ahead.

One night while asleep in bed, an angel awoke him. The angel told him to follow him. An opening appeared in the wall, and he followed the angel through it into a world he'd never seen before. It was a beautiful neighborhood, with extremely white buildings. As he put it, "nothing was out of its place", everything was that orderly.

They entered a large building, and went into a very large room. In the back of the room stood many people, many of whom he recognized as friends and relatives who had passed away. In front of him stood two men on pedestals. The angel pointed at them and told Brother Maughan to choose whom he would follow, Jesus or Satan. At first he thought it would be easy. But when he looked at the two men, he could not tell them apart. Some of the people in the back mocked him, "he doesn't even know what Jesus looks like!"

The tension and stress mounted in him, knowing he had to choose, but afraid to choose the wrong being. He collapsed tot he ground in fear. Suddenly, he found himself back in his own bed, drenched in sweat, and so weak he couldn't get out of bed for days.

He went on to dedicating himself to serving God, and not Mammon. He was an awesome patriarch, as well.

[StrawberryFields]

I began to realize that in the Pre-Earth Life they were not my children, they were my Brothers and Sisters, and an Almighty God gave me a stewardship to raise and mentor them as my children to be mighty in faith, and I got so caught up with the Earth experience that I had forgotten my promise.

I loved reading about your dream especially this part above. I think we might sometimes forget that our children are actually our brothers and sisters. :)

[thejason]

I learned early in my marriage that God and family are the first priorities in my life. I've left high-paying jobs and turned down others because with high pay often comes long hours. Time with my family and service in the Church are more important to me than making money for my family. There's no point in making money for them if i can't enjoy it with them. I've accepted lesser paying jobs where we've had to live paycheck to paycheck, but the time we've spent as a family has drawn us closer as a family and also strengthened us as individuals. Money is not the most important thing to me. Being with my family for eternity is.

[StrawberryFields]

I learned early in my marriage that God and family are the first priorities in my life. I've left high-paying jobs and turned down others because with high pay often comes long hours. Time with my family and service in the Church are more important to me than making money for my family. There's no point in making money for them if i can't enjoy it with them. I've accepted lesser paying jobs where we've had to live paycheck to paycheck, but the time we've spent as a family has drawn us closer as a family and also strengthened us as individuals. Money is not the most important thing to me. Being with my family for eternity is.

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