Scott and Scotty

I want to share some family things which need to be kept, even kept closely, and not be lost.  As many of you know, my sister Christine had four children.  The second was a boy named Scott.  He was one of those sparkly kids who had great promise for the future.  He exhibited kindness and thoughtfullness beyond his years.  He contracted Leukemia at about age 8, which was aggressively treated, and many of us thought the treatments were successful.  Christine, however, knew from the start that this disease would be final, even though he seemingly recovered.  Just at the 5-year mark of remission, it came roaring back and subsequent treatments helped but did not cure.

During his final illness, Christine and my brother Terry went to the hospital in Salt Lake City to visit Scott.  When they left the hospital and were walking to the car, another car stopped and inquired, "Terry, what are you doing here."  The driver was Elder Neal A. Maxwell. Terry introduced Chris and explained Scott's situation.  Elder Maxwell said all the appropriate things, bid them goodnight, rolled up his window and started to leave.  He stopped his car, however, and the window came back down.  HE addressed Chris and said, "You know, sometimes the Lord drafts the best."

I thought of that as I pondered the death of Adam Acosta.  We know so little while here on earth.  We truly see "Through a glass darkly."  But we have been given enough and, with study and contemplation, will be given more.  Even to understanding or feeling enough to make sense of things and find peace amid the turmoil.  I thought of Adam, his willingness to serve and the great imapct Keith Pearce had upon his life.  How he willingly served a mission, even though his personality tended more to introversion than to knocking on peoples' doors.  and I though of Elder Maxwell's remark in conjunction with Section 138 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

29 And as I wondered, my eyes were opened, and my understanding ^aquickened, and I perceived that the Lord went not in person among the^bwicked and the disobedient who had rejected the truth, to teach them;

  30 But behold, from among the righteous, he ^aorganized his forces and appointed ^bmessengers, ^cclothed with power and authority, and^dcommissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in ^edarkness, even to ^fall the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead.

  31 And the chosen messengers went forth to declare the ^aacceptable day of the Lord and proclaim ^bliberty to the captives who were bound, even unto all who would ^crepent of their sins and receive the gospel.

  32 Thus was the gospel preached to those who had ^adied in their sins, without a ^bknowledge of the truth, or in ^ctransgression, having ^drejected the prophets.

  33 These were taught ^afaith in God, repentance from sin, ^bvicarious baptism for the ^cremission of sins, the ^dgift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands,

  34 And all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be ^ajudged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

I encourage reading the whole section to get a fuller view of our lives shortly after we pass through the veil.

So to me, Adam and Scott are now part of that great force taking the gospel to those who so desperately need its redemptive power.  Should the accept it, they then get very anxious to receive the vicarious saving ordinances which are performed int he temples.  The best way to maintain a connection with those who have passed through the veil is to do the family history and temple work for those to whom they preach the gospel!

So, my Dad was very close to young Scott, who was named for him.  He really felt deeply Scotty's struggles and pain.  He talked about it a bit at a family reunion and he broke down in public, not something which was usual for him.

When my Dad died, his body went to the same mortuary which handled Scotty's burial.  In fact, the same man who prepared Scott's body also did the work for my Dad.  When Terry and I went there he told us a story I do not want to have lost.  But it is a sacred story and should not be widely told.  Anyway, he said that as he prepared Dad's body, he was very distinctly aware of the presence of both Dad and Scott.  In fact, he said, they were standing side-by-side and he was impressed with the spirit which accompanied them.

My Dad was buried on the day Jacob Scott Warner was born.  Jacob carries the name of both of these relatives In Memoriam.  This is a great responsibility and I am confident Jacob can live up to it.

We are all tied together by ordinances involving covenants and promises.  So important are they -- important enough to give our lives for.  I don't necessarily mean dying for them, as happens to a few, but giving our lives in the sense of living for the fulfillment of these covenants.  I know that this period of reflection has given me a stronger sense of commitment to be more like what I ought to be.  I love you all!  God Bless.