Tag Archive for: remembrance

Remembrance

The world I live in, is not what I want it to be.
I’d love to live in a world filled with 𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒆.
The kind of peace that allows for stability, growth, and unity among people of all nations.
We are after all, brothers and sisters, children of God.
In a peaceful world, we’d be able to resolve our differences through diplomacy and dialogue, by valuing our diverse cultures and develop deeper mutual understanding.
Peace creates a place where individuals and communities can thrive, free from the fear and trauma of any conflict.
Such a world of peace will encourage compassion, where nations prioritise humanity over dominance, power and greed.

War

War, on the other hand, creates massive divisions, devastates economies, and leaves long lasting scars on generations, trapping people in cycles of poverty and displacement as we witness now.
War’s effects are not only confined to battlefields; they impact families, disrupt education, and lead to significant challenges for all of us.
All this violence creates instability – societies struggle to work together and address the many global issues we see now, including climate change, poverty, and injustice.
Sadly, we continue to live on a planet filled with the ravages of war.
“Imperfect people share planet earth with other imperfect people.” – Russell M. Nelson.

Peace

Yet, I know that peace can come to all who earnestly seek the Prince of Peace, and turn to Him, even Jesus Christ.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27
Here in the UK, Remembrance Sunday is a special time of reflection, respect, and gratitude, that brings a renewed commitment to peace and understanding.
Like many millions today, I will take some time to pause and reflect to honour the bravery and sacrifices of those who served and lost their lives in wars and conflicts.
I hope, by reflecting on the past, it will inspire us to work toward a future free of conflict, by trying to understand one another better.
The poppy I choose to wear is a powerful symbol, representing the millions of lives lost and reminds us of the hardships faced by soldiers and their families.
Lest we forget, I simply want to pay my respects to the fallen.
To those who gave of their lives – that we may have our freedom today.
In 1916, John Maxwell Edmunds said, “When you go Home, tell them of us and say, For your Tomorrow, we gave our Today”.
For those who gave everything, we will always remember them.

Remember

Meeting the Gubler family last week was fun.
Last year, we met their oldest son Henry, for the first time, when he arrived in the Belgium Netherlands Mission (BNZ).
Although we’d heard a little about his family, it was a delight to finally meet with them.
Together, we enjoyed a lovely lunch in Culross.
Our time was filled with love, joyful stories, and a few laughs, especially when Zack got a little excited by his glass of lime and lemonade!
Shared experiences have a unique way of bringing people closer, creating bonds that will last a lifetime and beyond.
Sometimes we never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.
Not only do we have lovely memories of being with Henry in the mission field, but we also now have a memory of a special time with his whole family.
This shared history is what makes relationships with family, friends and loved ones so meaningful.
There is something about shared memories that create a sense of belonging.
When you make memories with others, you feel part of something bigger than yourself.
Whether its with family, new friends, or missionaries in the BNZ, it’s my experience that creating memories and remembering them, fosters a sense of togetherness and belonging that builds a unique and powerful bond for all of us.
These priceless treasures we call memories, are the glue that makes our relationships stronger.
I am so glad that we all made time for each other.
Good memories are real blessings to remember and never forget.
Remembering is not only a good and practical thing to do, but it’s also a scriptural practice.
Our relationship with Jesus Christ, is built upon remembering Him.
When the Saviour instituted the sacrament, He invited His disciples to partake of the emblems “in remembrance” of His sacrifice.
In every sacrament prayer each Sunday, we hear, the word always preceding the word remember.
And in the Book of Mormon, during King Benjamin’s final address, he used the word remember seven times.
He hoped that his people would remember “the greatness of God … and his goodness and long-suffering” toward them. – Mosiah 4:11.
My invitation – when you recall your memories, remember how your Father in Heaven has blessed you too.

Remembrance

Today is Remembrance Sunday in the UK.
On the 11th it was also Veterans day in the USA.
It is an opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.
If I were at home, I’d be gathering at a local memorial service in town.
Earlier this morning, I recalled an experience from April this year, when I had a sobering reminder of the reality of the ravages of war and in particular the horrors of WW1 whilst visiting Ipres in Belgium with a group of missionaries.
We visited several museums, trenches, tunnels, including a gigantic crater site where a huge explosion took vast numbers of soldier’s lives.
Then on to the Christmas truce site – where we sang silent night from opposing trenches together in English and German. We then played football in memory of the game played on Christmas Day 1914.
Afterwards we travelled to Tyne Cot, where we reverently walked around a vast sprawling cemetery.

Remembrance

Then onto the Menin Gate where we laid a wreath on behalf of the church.
I was also invited to deliver the exhortation, known the world over.
“They shall grow not old,
As we that are left to grow old:
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning,
We will remember them.”
The last line was then repeated by the vast crowd in attendance.
It was a sobering moment at the end of a sobering day.
Today, our world is filled with conflict.
The scope of what needs to be done to increase peace, security, human dignity and to relieve suffering throughout the world leaves one wondering where to even start.
A good place to start would be to follow Jesus Christ.
He is indeed the “Prince of Peace” – Isaiah 9:6
In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ speaks tenderly saying “Blessed are the peacemakers” – Matthew 5:9.
A peacemaker is someone who reconciles people with God and with one another.
I believe that He is the way, to long lasting peace.
We must actively seek peace in the world, in our communities and in our homes.
Turn to Christ.
𝐇𝐞 𝐈𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐲.
Follow His example.
Are you a peacemaker?

Exhortation – Menin Gate, Ipres

One word played through my mind over and over again on Tuesday, as we visited Ipres, in Belgium and spent the day with missionaries from the Antwerp Zone.
…“𝐒𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠”
Sobering – “making you feel serious or think about serious matters”
Don’t get me wrong, we loved being together all day and had some fun too, but the memories created have been sobering ones of the futility of war.
The constant reminder and experiences throughout the day, were truly sobering of the reality of the ravages of war and in particular the horrors of WW1.
Our well informed and organised guides for the day were Stephan Willems and Marnix Schotte. I am truly grateful for their knowledge, insights and experience they shared all day long.
We visited several fascinating places, museums, trenches, tunnels, a gigantic crater where a huge explosion took vast numbers of soldier’s lives.
Then on to the Christmas truce site – where we sang silent night from opposing trenches together in English and German. We then played football in memory of the game played on Christmas Day 1914.
Afterwards we travelled to Tyne Cot, where we reverently walked around a vast sprawling cemetery.

The Menin Gate

Then onto the Menin Gate where we laid a wreath on behalf of the church. I was also invited to deliver the exhortation, known the world over.
“They shall grow not old,
As we that are left to grow old:
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning,
We will remember them.”
The last line was then repeated by the vast crowd in attendance.
Since 1928, every evening at 8pm precisely, the “Last Post” has been sounded under the imposing arches of the Menin Gate.
It was an honour to participate, and it has left an indelible impression on my heart and mind.
It was a sobering sight.
Reflecting upon this day together, I am so grateful for the constant reminders that I received and will always remember.
“When you go Home, tell them of us and say,
For your Tomorrow, we gave our Today”
John Maxwell Edmunds – 1916