Looking Up

Last weekend, speaking at General Conference, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave one of the most moving talks I’ve ever heard.

With his “diminished” yet powerful voice, his brief rendition of 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 was electrifying.

A quite remarkable testimony of Jesus Christ that touched my heart.

His spirit filled words, were an incredible witness of truth, “𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦.”

And it was a witness that will linger in my soul and millions of others for generations to come.

As we were still processing the spirit of it all, Megan sent this photo of our 10-month-old grandson, Oscar.

There he stood, steadying himself on the TV stand, literally looking up to Elder Holland.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

Oscar, with childlike awe and curiosity, looking up to a man I’ve looked up to for decades.

It was far more than cute.

It was profound.

The Lord asks us to become as little children, not because they know more, but because they see more clearly.

In a world that often pulls our eyes downward, here was a reminder to all of us to keep looking up, to faith, to truth, to those who lead with love and light.

And in that small, ordinary moment in the living room, we caught a glimpse of something eternal: one generation quietly passing on reverence to the next.

Oscar doesn’t know who Elder Holland is yet, but maybe he sees more than we realise, the kind of seeing that only a child can.

Someday he will and he is clearly already tuning in.

And perhaps for Oscar, in his own innocent way, “𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐’𝘮 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦” too.

“One thing I do know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” – John 9:25

And when he really does, I hope he knows that his family has always looked up, to apostles, to the Saviour, and to the hope that binds us all together.

Who have you looked up to that helped you see more clearly?