I’ve been thinking a lot about the kind of legacy we leave behind when we pass on. When our work here is done, will we be remembered as we would like to be remembered?
I remember watching a show on televison some time ago about a mother and son that were going through a very difficult time. The mother admitted that she had never been a real mother to her son. The son, now a young adult was bitter and wanted nothing to do with his mom. The mother was desperate to reconnect with her son and to be a part of his life again. One of the things the therapist counseled this mother to do was to write her own eulogy. She was asked specifically to write her eulogy from the point of view of her son. The point of the exercise (as I understood it) was for this mother to see exactly where she needed to improve as a mother and hopefully, work towards it.
So, these last few days as I reflected on the kinds of legacies we leave behind, I couldn’t help but think about what will be said of us when we’re gone. Will we be remembered as loving parents who taught their children to love the Lord? Will we be praised by our children for our righteous examples in their lives? Parenting is hard. In fact, it is the hardest job that I know of. On the other hand, it’s also the most rewarding job that I’ve ever had.
What will our children say about us when we’re gone? Will they remember us fondly as “not quite perfect,” but still wonderful parents? We came across an essay written by our son when he was a senior in high school where he wrote about his dad. He titled his essay, “Not quite perfect, but I still love him.” My husband treasures this essay as one of the highest praise he has ever received.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ (also known as Mormons) regard the rearing of children as a sacred calling or duty. In a proclamation titled, The Family: A Proclamation to the World, the First Presidency of the Church counseled;
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
Within our communities, will we be remembered as having lived a life of service and charity to all? Will we be remembered as being an influence in inviting all to come unto Christ? The single most important “mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to invite all to come unto Christ.” (Elder David A. Bednar) As Mormons, it is our sincere desire to share the joy of the Gospel of Christ with everyone that will listen.
Friends, in the words of Prophet Moroni from the Book of Mormon, we extend to you all this invitation, “And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.” (Moroni 10:30)
I should tell you that the reason I’ve been thinking of such matters lately is because of the recent passing of President Gordon B. Hinckley. What a legacy he left behind! He left behind a legacy of hope, a legacy of service to God and his fellowmen, a legacy of righteousness, a legacy of inclusion rather than exclusion. In short, he left behind a legacy of love. He was beloved by his immediate family and by his Church family. He was loved by old and young alike. He was loved by those near and far.
There are a number of excellent video tributes to President Hinckley available on YouTube and other online sites. Many of them include messages and quotes from President Hinckley. If you haven’t seen those yet, please do so. I also want to share with you a couple of slideshows about President Hinckley that you might not have had a chance to see yet. One comes from Brigham Young University (Provo) and the other comes from Brigham Young University (Hawaii).
We may not all have the kind of far-reaching legacy that President Hinckley left behind but all of us can leave behind a legacy of love.
