The passing of a dear friend

Last Friday a very dear sweet man passed away. He was a very good friend. David and I met him when he walked into our ward in June of 1994. He had seen conference on television and wanted to come see for himself what the church was about. He had an opportunity when he was young to investigate the church but passed it up and after a very long life of living in the world his heart was now softened to accept the teachings of Jesus Christ. His good friend and now wife introduced him to the Book of Mormon and in his words "saved his life". I have reflected a lot on how this man has touched my life. Once he joined the church he never looked back and spent the rest of his time testifying of what he knew to be true. I have had the privilege of knowing a few great men like Henry. They have passed on as well. They were the kind of men who quietly served and did what they were supposed to do. You could always count on them doing their hometeaching, being at their meetings, and serving in their callings, and taking care of their families. They were pillars of strength. Their examples have strengthened me and helped me as I have come to know their stories. I know that right now Henry is where he is because of the changes he made in his life 13 years ago. I know that he is still serving how ever the Lord wants him to and teaching those things that he held so close to his heart. Henry was a poet. He made a book for David and I some years ago. Every poem has some part of his testimony weaved into it. I thank him for leaving this with us so now that he is gone I can remember what was most important to him. One verse from one of his poems reads:

"The beautiful tapestry of each sweet life, Is tied to the thread of the next, Through the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, As we read His scripture and text..."

People have come in and out of my life. The way they have lived their life has effected my testimony in some way. Each person who I have come in contact with has added a thread to my tapestry. And even though I may not see or have contact with certain people they still have left their imprint on my heart. I have learned valuable lessons from these sweet people. I miss the ones who have passed from this life but the beauty of the plan is that we will all be together again someday. Goodbye for today Henry, and I look forward to our meeting in that place called home.