Hear Him

 

I Can Hear Him (just a little insight into me)

When I was very young, I watched my mother and grandmother crocheting.  I loved the beautiful things they made, I loved how their hands worked although they were very involved in the conversations of the family or in watching a television program.  But probably most of all, I loved that they took the time to show me how to crochet and that they encouraged me to share in something they enjoyed.

My grandmother was older and spent much of her time in an easy chair.  But I was always welcome and together we crocheted our little projects, visited and shared a bonding moment that, for me, will never be forgotten.

One Hard Fast Rule -
I loved crocheting,  so almost every Sunday I would try to take out my crocheting thread and needle and get a few stitches in.

We went to the church house twice each Sunday; once for Sunday School and once for Sacrament meeting.  Primary was held during the week.  By the late Sunday afternoon I was ready for some relaxation, and some fun. However, my parents insisted that we not play or work on Sundays - that this was a day to honor our Father in Heaven and His Son, and to keep the Sabbath day a holy one.

This caused a great deal of stress and boredom in my young life.  I attended my meetings, I practiced my piano, and still there were so many hours of time to fill each Sunday.  I wanted to crochet, and I didn’t understand what was wrong with it.  Each time my mother saw me crocheting she would simply state “All of those stitches you are making on Sunday will have to be picked out in Heaven with your nose.”  This did not make any sense to me but I knew I had better get it put away.  However, every time she said that phrase I questioned it in my mind.  It just didn't sound true.

Each week I went with my mother to St. George to help her mother.  I asked my aunts that lived there if what my mother had said was true.  They assured me that it was.  I tried to obey.  Still, the statement bothered me.  I asked my Primary and Sunday School teachers.  “Yes” they assured me - “every single stitch would have to be picked out with my nose when I got to heaven”.  Still I had doubts.

I had asked every adult I knew and trusted and the answer was always the same.  I pictured in my mind women sitting around in heaven in long flowing dresses on a patch of grass with their embroidery and crocheted projects - picking out each stitch.  What do you think?  Do you feel light when you hear this statement or do you doubt, or even giggle at how rediculous it sounds.  Do you believe this to be a truth that will live throughout the ages?  When you listen to the Holy Ghost, how do you feel?  Does He confirm the truth here?

I felt like I understood the gospel, I knew what the feelings of the Holy Ghost were, and I knew the peace that comes into our lives when we are living the teachings of the gospel and following our Spiritual Prompter.  I may have been young, but I knew how to hear Him.  I only had one resource left.

I knew that we had a Prophet that speaks to God and leads us the way we should go for our best eternal benefit.  I picked up a piece of paper and a pen, addressed it to President Joseph Fielding Smith and began to write:

I am 10 years old.  My hobbies are baby-sitting, horse back riding, cooking, art and playing with my three year old sister, Madelyn.  I also enjoy crocheting.

Sometimes I get bored and get out my crocheting on Sundays after Sunday School and Church.  My mother tells me to put it away.  I am wondering if it is against our Heavenly Fathers commandments to do such as this on the Lord’s day?

I have a testimony of the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I am thankful that I am a member of this Church.  I know you are an inspired man from God.  If you would please write back I would love to know your true feeling on this matter.  Thank you for your time and effort.  Thank-you again.


Love,


Allyson Hunt

I felt so strongly that "picking it out with my nose" was a lie and I couldn't even bring myself to write it down.  I waited for a letter in the mail from him, but one never came. I was saddened I didn't have my answer but went on doing what 10 year old girls do.

Then one day at church the Bishop asked my parents to come into his office.  He needed to visit with them, and he would appreciate it if they would also bring me.  Now this was a bit different.  My parents had often met with the bishop of the ward through the years.  They had their temple recommend interviews, visits where calls were extended, and often went to his office for meetings associated with their callings.  Never before had they been asked to bring their young child.

First he took my mother and father into the office while I waited in the waiting room.  None of us had a clue what he would say but soon I heard the gut-wrenching laughter of my father coming through the door.  It went on for a few minutes until finally the laughter softened and the door opened.  Out came my mother with a face as white as a ghost, followed by my father who was trying ever so hard to squelch the giggles still trying to escape. The bishop invited me to come into his office alone.

There he informed me that he had received a letter from the First Presidency of the Church, giving him an assignment to call me into his office for a visit.  He read the following letter, addressed to him, to me:

Dear Bishop Farnsworth:

We enclose herewith a copy of a letter from a child ten years of age, Allyson Hunt, addressed to President Smith.  You will note that Allyson states that she enjoys crocheting and she inquires if she would be breaking the sabbath day by crocheting after Sunday School and after Church.  It seems that her mother has advised her against this.

You can appreciate that we do not wish to go contrary to the advice of her mother.  You may wish to talk to the mother in a kindly way and advise with her in regard to this situation.  So far as we understand it, it would appear that doing crocheting work on Sunday, if it does not interfere with her attendance at Church, would not be a breach of the sabbath.
Sincerely yours,

THE FIRST PRESIDENCY
by Joseph Fielding Smith and N Eldon Tanner

Once I was past the embarrassment of causing my parents to be called into the Bishops office and bothering the Prophet, his Councilors, and the Bishop I realized that the Holy Ghost had been speaking to me all of the time I had been questioning.  I had my answer but more importantly I knew I had a friend and trusted companion in the Holy Ghost.

 

I learned some very valuable lessons that day that have remained with me through all of the years that have followed.  Recently President Nelson has urged us to learn how to listen and hear the Holy Ghost.  He will verify what is true, and a young girl in Primary is the perfect age to start hearing Him.  My goal is that during our time together, we will be more aware of these little Whisperings.

Sister Wood