Joseph & Emma Smith ~ Examples of Strength

I have been reading more and more lately about Joseph Smith. I am amazed at the strength of this man and even more so of his wife, Emma Smith. Not only did they sacrifice for the Church, but they lost many of they're children. I can't imagine how hard it was for them. I found this quote from him earlier this week, and it made me cry and realize the truth of what I've been told about Hayden many times.

"The Lord takes away many, even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again." ~ Joseph Smith

Surviving

I came across this poem today on a friends Blog. It fits perfectly!

My Mom Is a Survivor

My mom is a survivor,

Or so I’ve heard it said.

But I can hear her crying at night

When all others are in bed.

I watch her lay awake at night

And go to hold her hand.

She doesn't know I’m with her

To help her understand.

But like the sands on the beach

That never wash away…

I watch over my surviving mom,

Who thinks of me each day.

She wears a smile for others…

A smile of disguise!

But though Heaven’s door I see

Tears flowing from her eyes.

My mom tries to cope with death

To keep my memory alive.

But anyone who knows her, knows

It is her way to survive.

As I watch over my surviving mom

Through Heaven’s open door…

I try to tell her that angels

Protect me forevermore.

I know that doesn’t help her…

Or ease the burden she bears.

So if you get a chance, go visit her…

And show her that you care.

For no matter what she says…

No matter what she feels.

My surviving mom has a broken heart

That time won’t ever heal.

By Kaye Des’Ormeaux