A thought from Tanner...

Well I have no idea where to start. I write this letter out to a general public who knows a little bit of the story that is occurring right now. I write this just an hour after hearing the news so I have not quite wrapped my head around the information. I apologize if it is a little scattered. I am not an amazing writer like my mom, sister or sister-in-law.

To let you know a little from my side of the story, being half way around the world, I did not know anything that was happening. Sunday night, as I was calling and animating my district, I get a call from my mission President informing me that my brother was in the hospital and that I had permission to call my family the following day (Monday). As you can imagine, that sent my mind whirling. I had no idea what to expect. 

The first thing I thought was that I was super glad to live with a Priesthood holder. I asked my companion for a blessing of support and strength and prayed that the blessing would get me through the night until I could talk to my family the following day. 

That night, I slept a lot more calm than I thought I was going to. It was still a rough night where the worst of the worst haunted my dreams. The following day, I did my best to lead a normal morning. I got up and studied and clean my pension, just like any other P Day. Than at 11 in the morning, I went to members house to use his computer in order to Skype with my family.

I got ahold of Chels and she called my mom in order to tell me the news. As the conversation went on with my mom, the initial reaction of things began to hit me. I am so very grateful for the amazing technology that we blessed to have. I was able to talk to Chels, Mom, Dad, and Tanith all at the same time. They all were able to keep me very "animated" (that is for my mother who teased me about using this Spanglish word.)

So I am now here typing my reactions to everything. I have not been able to organize my thoughts so I want to just let them flow. Please forgive me if they are not exactly organized.

My initial thought was D&C 122:7-9: 

 7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

 8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

 9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.

 I realized that in the whole life of my family and especially Joe and Tanith, this is a trial that will be for our experience and our good. God knows all of our days and that includes Joes. If this be his time, than that is plan of God. If he continues for a longer time in the state that he is, that is the plan of God. I know that God allows us to have these trials in order to grow. 

The next thought that came to my mind was the reaction to ask God for help to support this trial. It reminded me of the people of Limhi. They had a lot of burdens to support. The humbled themselves and cried unto the Lord. This is how he responds:

14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

 15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

This will not be an easy burden to bear. However, if I (we) follow the example of the people of Limhi, God will make it light for us to bear. He will give us strength. 

Family and Friends, for lack of time I want to sign off bearing my testimony and sharing a couple thoughts about Joe. I honestly truly know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ. This is the only pathway that we can take in order to receive our perfect body through the resurrection. There is no other plan that we can possibly follow. Only through the gospel of Jesus Christ is this possible. It is not an easy path but than again, if we think about it, it is not a little reward that we receive if we are faithful. 

Just like the classic marshmallow test that was given to little 2 years old to see if they would be patient and receive double reward, we are the same. As adults, we realize that 5 minutes is so short and we wish to impart all of our wisdom to that little child who is suffering for those 5 minutes and just tell them to hold on. We are the same way as children of God. This life is so short. We need to just hold on. Just a little longer and we will have won the grand reward. ...

Elder Applegate