Recently I was tenderly hugging one of our precious little five-year-old granddaughters and said to her, “I love you, sweetheart.”
She responded rather blandly: “I know.”
I asked, “How do you know that I love you?”
“Because! You’re my grandfather!”
That was reason enough for her. Indeed, we do love our grandchildren. We also love our grandparents. I cherish the memories of life with three of my four grandparents. I never met my Grandfather Nelson. He died when my father was only 16 years old. At the time of Grandfather’s passing, he was superintendent of public instruction for the state of Utah. He owned a handsome pocket watch, which my father later gave to me. Now that watch is a tangible link between us.
I think of my Grandfather Nelson with deep feelings of gratitude. I received much of my early education in schools he helped to develop. And I cherish my membership in this Church, to which both of his parents were converted in Denmark about a century and a half ago. In fact, all eight of my great-grandparents were converts to the Church in Europe. Of the others, one joined the Church in Sweden, two in England, and three in Norway. How grateful I am to these pioneer predecessors! My debt to them is reflected in these biblical verses: “One soweth, and another reapeth” that “both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
Today we are reaping a harvest of family love from seeds sown years ago. Preparations to strengthen family ties came in 1823, when the angel Moroni first appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Moroni announced the coming of Elijah, who would cause the hearts of children to be turned to their fathers."
April 1998 | A New Harvest Time
Russell M. Nelson
Cash, Colby, Grey, and Grahm seem excited to spend time with Tim and I. I wonder if they know how much we look forward to seeing them.
I watch Grahm when he see Tiffani, he smiles at everyone but when he see Tiff it's different. I listen to Grey talk about adventures he goes on with Mark, I know he trust his Dad, and likes to be with him.
I enjoy having dinner with Chris, he has positive energy that I feel for days, and I looked forward to Sunday family dinners so much. I deeply cherish the blessing of having a family. I love them all.
I have shared many times how much I love Grandma Federer. Living within walking distance of her home and seeing her often are among some of my happiest memories. I knew that if I followed her example I could be a good grandmother, just like she was for me. Family love...
