In October of 1971 Spencer W. Kimball gave a talk entitled glimpses of heaven. I have read it various times here on my mission and lately looking back on the two years it has made me think if I have seen heaven. One of my favorite quotes from the talk is this one.
Do you believe in heaven, Brother Artist?” I asked. “Yes, that is it. Heaven is a place, but also a condition; it is home and family. It is understanding and kindness. It is interdependence and selfless activity. It is quiet, sane living; personal sacrifice, genuine hospitality, wholesome concern for others. It is living the commandments of God without ostentation or hypocrisy. It is selflessness. It is all about us. We need only to be able to recognize it as we find it and enjoy it. Yes, my dear brother, I’ve had many glimpses of heaven.”
I remember at the beginning of my mission I was a little homesick. I got here a week before Thanksgiving and then the next month was Christmas and my birthday. Those were all significant events for me because I would usually be with my family and do something. At that point we were teaching a family who was progressing very well towards baptism. I remembered that the mom, she was named candi, had asked me and my como if we had scarves. I had told her no. So on the day before Christmas, or better said Christmas eve, they invited us over to their house. They in turn gave us a present each. When I opened it inside was a hat and a scarf. That is one of the first times that I felt Christ's love on my mission when this woman showed me that we can really see and feel heaven on earth.
Just the very next day was Christmas. I was so nervous to talk to my family because I thought that if I saw and talked to them I would want to go home even more. We went over the Rodriguez family's house. We ate dinner and then played some games. This family was a beautiful family. I again felt lonely on the Christmas because I was not with my family. I remember we were sitting on the ground in a circle. We were playing a game where you had to pass this present around and unwrap it with oven mits. I remember as I sat there and looked around at this family I felt at home. I felt comfort and peace and that is what heaven is like.
Just a few months later I was in another area. We were teaching this part member family. The husband finally decided he was going to get baptized. Me and my comp went and prepared everything for the service. It was a very amazing moment. But the baptism wasn't what most touched me. After the baptismal service the man who got baptized, Kevin, gave his testimony and thanked everyone for coming. When he did that he started to cry and I had never seen him even come close to crying. Knowing his past and things that happened in his life it was truly amazing to see. Just after his mom, who isn't a member, asked if she could say some things. She expressed her gratitude and love for her son. It was truly amazing to see the love of a mother for a son and I believe that is what heaven is like.
A few months later I was living in Manassas with one of my favorite companions. We were teaching this family, but since I had gotten there we hadn't taught them. I was ready to stop teaching them, but my companion said we should go by one more time. We did and they were there. We ended up teaching them every week. They then invited us over for Thanksgiving. We went over and sat around this table with 6 kids ranging from 12 to 3. It was a lot of fun and you could see that these parents loved their kids. They never got baptized, but that night I could feel God's love and his spirit. Even though this family didn't accept the gospel they had learned a few Heavenly things, that family is the reason God has sent us here. I remember the kids telling us that they don't have many friends, but their best friends are their siblings. I hope that our family's can be some of our best friends.
Just yesterday at church I saw a little bit of what heaven would be like. We were standing in the chapel talking to people. I had invited a few people to come because it is my last Sunday. I was talking to this guy when in walked this family. So back in Manassas we had found this part member family and had begun to teach. The husband was not a member an dhis name was Miguel. Miguel was amazing and was so humble. I only got to teach him for about a month, but I became very close to him. He recently got baptized this last week but I could not go. I got to send him a video which mad eme feel good. So yesterday when I looked and saw this family walked in I became very excited. It was this family and at the very back was Miguel dressed in a full on suit. I went up shook his hand and gave him a hug and we talked for a little. It was a very good moment for me and I believe that when we get to heaven and we see those that we have helped or become close to that that is what it will be like. It was a very wonderful moment to be apart of.
So two years have been great but there are four moments that have really stood out to me and when I have felt closest to Heavenly Father. My very first zone conference was a little before Christmas. I can only remember two things, one it was super long and the second thing was something that my mission president said. He told us to pray with our family's over video at the very end. I was like okay. I remember in that first Christmas my dad prayed, at the next Easter my grandpa prayed, and then I prayed at the last two. Those moments that I shared with my family where we could just say a prayer were the best experiences that I have had while I have been out here. I know that family's are what heaven is made of. As make our family's gospel centered we can truly experience Heavenly experiences here on earth. Love you guys a ton and see you soon!
Elder Larsen
