The daily building of happy memories

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday Afternoon Session of the October 1994 Conference.

There were two talks about temples in this conference that resonated with me. Elder Lance B. Wickman talked about an experience he had in the temple when his children were grown:

For a brief moment I was transported back across the years, past the challenges and the heartaches to that wonderful day when together we had entered the house of the Lord. I drew my children close. In that instant a wonderful, celestial feeling swelled my breast. I knew I was in a holy place. I felt a peace as I had on that dark night so many years ago—and again I rejoiced.

I loved that the "celestial feeling" he felt reached back in time, "past the challenges and heartaches," making it all worthwhile.  I've felt those celestial feelings too, when it seems so abundantly clear that God's plan is the best thing for me, and that following Jesus Christ will bring me joy. It's interesting how that perspective can transform even the things I've been sad about or overwhelmed with into manageable burdens. It reminds me of the C.S. Lewis quote about heaven's retroactive power. ("[Mortals] say of some temporal suffering, 'No future bliss can make up for it,' not knowing that Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even that agony into a glory.")

Along those same lines, as President Nelson talked about the importance of family history and temple work (definitely one of his favorite topics!), he said this:

What and how much we do should depend upon personal circumstances and abilities, direction from Church leaders, and guidance from the Spirit. Throughout our lives, each of us can do something significant.

I would add that the daily building of happy memories in our families is an important part of making family history pleasant. Each day on earth can bring a little bit of heaven.

I like to talk about "the daily building of happy memories" on this blog, and this is why, I think. It's hard to see the "little bit of heaven" amid the many bits of…less-than heaven…that make up our days and weeks. But when I have a bit of time and "celestial feelings" in my heart, I can see that heaven in the daily memories, looking back and looking forward. From that perspective, my trust in Heavenly Father increases, because I can see even my "challenges and heartaches" in their proper place as necessary steps leading to a truly, fully celestial life someday!