Hi! Remember me? I used to work in the Seminaries & Institutes of Religion, formerly Church Educational System (CES), until something or someone whispered in my ear, “Where are you?”
As a CES support specialist, a.k.a. Institute Secretary, I could have answered this question easily. And my reply would be:
“Here at the QCPIR, tapping my computer and registering all incoming students, assisting them in any way I can, extending help to Institute teachers and administrators, making posters and correspondences, answering the phone, teaching a class, being a friend, etc., etc.”
As an LDS single woman, my response would be:
“At home, being a doting daughter as I could be, anxiously engaged in good causes, trying to be the ideal neighbor etc., etc.”
Or
“At Church, striving to become better as counseled by prophets, magnifying my calling as an RS sister, paying my tithes, actively involved in teaching, fellowshipping, testimony bearing, singing in the ward choir, etc., etc.”
In other words… trying to be perfect!”
As I evaluate my responses to the question, it dawned on me that the question was not what it meant. It wasn’t asking me where I am physically but rather it was a familiar question paused in the Garden of Eden when the adversary tempted Adam & Eve and they both hid only to be summoned and asked, “Where art thou?”
Is God not all knowing to have asked such a question?
In my days and age, I am ashamed to say, I gave heed! I listened and obeyed. The scriptures taught us that our Heavenly Father’s and our Savior’s work as found in Moses 1:39 is to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”
Immortality is freely given, eternal life is work driven.
It is not enough that one has faith, repented, is baptized and has received the Holy Ghost. It is not enough for one to enroll in Seminary and Institute and go on a mission. Although all the above mentioned “works” are important, the ultimate work one must strive to do is to become a husband or wife sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise. I have to become just like my Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother intended me to be, a parent, a mom, a wife (Genesis 2:23-24).
But first things first, I should have a husband… and his name is JAMES. We will be exchanging our vows at the Salt Lake City Temple, Utah on July 18, 2008 at exactly 2:40pm. A wedding reception in honor of our marriage for all time and for all eternity will then follow at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building at the Bonneville Room from six to eight in the evening, to be attended by families and friends.
I know just what Father Adam and Mother Eve had taught; I will also experience thorns and thistles along the way. But they also did give me hope that, “in this life I shall have joy” and “eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.” (Moses 5:10-11)
Funny how we sometimes put off the idea of having our own families when in the plan of salvation, the family should always come first for it is meant to last. I did. I had repented.
So, where is Jonah? She’s about to become Mrs. James B. Heiner.
Miss you all,
Jonah
