September 11

As I try to collect my thoughts on this beautiful, yet solemn Sabbath morning, they are turned to those who gave their lives in an hour of terror.  The following link provides a beautiful memorial to these precious lives that our Heavenly Father took home to him.  http://vimeo.com/28318096 . 
I remember where I was. 

Do you remember?

Do you remember the horror of being in college, being utterly alone in your apartment and turning the TV on just to check what the weather was going to be like so you knew how to dress for the day? 

Do you remember the images that greeted your eyes?

Do you remember calling your mom, wondering if she knew, wanting the comfort of her voice ... only to get a busy signal ... time and time again?

Do you remember giving up on your mom and calling one of your sisters and finding out that it was real ... that it wasn't some terrible movie that they were playing on TV?

Do you remember watching as the second plane hit Tower Two?


Do you remember the reports that came in about a plane going down in an empty field in Pennsylvania?

Do you remember watchng the people stream out of the Pentagon as they rushed to help their fellow fallen?

Do you remember watching the first tower fall, grasping the phone in your hand as your sister gasped on the other end?
       

Do you remember the tears that streamed down your face as you watched thousands of people lose their lives?

Do you remember the terror that filled your heart as you wondered how we would ever heal from these terrible attacks?

Do you remember the look on President George W. Bush's face as he was notified of this disaster as he sat reading to a roomfull of first graders?  Can you imagine the amount of courage it took to sit there and finish reading "The Pet Goat"  book so he wouldn't strike fear into the hearts of those innocent little ones?
    

Do you remember the heroes of those dark and troubling hours?

     

Do you remember the unity that came that evening as our nation joined in prayer?

And fasting?

And hope?

And love?

And Patriotism?

Do you remember the faith in our God that joined us as a nation?

President Thomas S Monson wrote a beautiful article for the tenth anniversary of this tragedy.

"There was, as many have noted, a remarkable surge of faith following the tragedy.  People across America rediscovered the need for God and turned to Him for solace and understanding. Comfortable times were shattered.  We felt the great unsteadiness of life and reached for the great steadiness of our Father in Heaven.  And, as ever, we found it.  Americans of all faiths came together in a remarkable way.

Sadly, it seems that much of that renewal of faith has waned in the years that have followed. Healing has come with time, but so has indifference. We forget how vulnerable and sorrowful we felt. Our sorrow moved us to remember the deep purposes of our lives. The darkness of our despair brought us a moment of enlightenment. But we are forgetful. When the depth of grief has passed, its lessons often pass from our minds and hearts as well.

Our Father’s commitment to us, His children, is unwavering. Indeed He softens the winters of our lives, but He also brightens our summers. Whether it is the best of times or the worst, He is with us. He has promised us that this will never change." (For the whole article go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/guest-voices/post/911-destruction-allowed-us-to-spiritually-rebuild/2011/09/08/gIQAbkjKCK_blog.html?fb_ref=NetworkNews&fb_source=profile_multiline)

Do you remember your God?  Do you remember to be faithful?  As we revisit this tragedy ... let us remember.