Divergent......DEAR FUTURE GRANDCHILD

I'm rereading the book called Divergent. This is one of Karen's picks, and it took her forever to read the second book. I can't start the second book until I read the first again. It's just one of those mind things....short memory...hahaha!! So now I'm reading Divergent again, and it fascinates me. The people in this story /world are divided into factions, with very distinct attributes. Beatrice, the main character reaches the age of decision...where she gets to choose the faction that she wants to belong to. She is first tested to see what faction she should go to...but her results show her to be Divergent...which is neither faction. She moves from being a selfless Abnegation, and chooses to initiate with the Dauntless faction....the protector faction.... those who offer protection from threats both within and without
Quoting from the book

   ' I think of the motto I read in my Faction History textbook: Faction before blood. More than family, our factions are where we belong. Can that possibly be right?
   Marcus adds. "Apart from them, we would not survive."

Some do not get a faction...and are factionless...rejected...homeless....dead to everyone else.

So why am I writing about this futurist piece of fiction...sometimes I don't feel that it is fiction.. just look at the world. What a miserable mess it is. The family is attacked on all sides. What will it be like in 20 years.

Elder Johnson, at Stake Conference,  asked us what we would write to our future grandchildren.....

Dear present and future grandchildren ( I'm expecting a few !!!)

    This is Nanny Jackie. My first grandchildren called me that. I used to wish that I was called grandma Jackie....but you can call me anything, as long as you know me.. Even though some of us haven't met here on earth, I know that I love you. You are a part of my eternal family, and that's because I am a member of the true church on earth, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...and I have made eternal covenants in the House of the Lord, the Temple.  Each of my children are mine for eternity, and each of them has married in the Lord's Temple. Your parents will hopefully teach you all about the Temple, and I will too. I hope that you come to understand the importance of the Temple long before you even enter it. Can you tell how much I love the Temple? It is the most peaceful place on earth, and you will come to know the Savior, Jesus Christ, and your Heavenly Father when you attend there. You will also receive amazing blessings at the Temple...most importantly the map to follow to return to our Heavenly parents.
      Okay, the Temple is very important to me. I also want you to know that Family is first for me. Even though you will have times when you don't want to do what your family wants, and your friends influence you to be someone else....in the end....it's the family who are always there for you. They love you most. Parents do know many things...listen to them!!!!!!!! It will not always be easy to do that, but they have an eternal perspective....please just trust me.
        Dear child....I want you to know that you are a child of God. I know that to be true. The gospel has been restored to the earth, and you are so blessed to have been born to a family that knows this.. This gospel will answer all questions that you have...but you will have to do your part.
       What is your part....read the scriptures...no, don't just read them, study them and treasure them.
       Attend church...all of your meetings and Serve God and others. It won't always be easy...nothing is...the church is perfect, but the people in it are not. They will make mistakes, but you must remember that they are learning too.
      Seek to know the Savior, and the great gift he gave you. It is called the Atonement and it will help you through every trial that you encounter. Jesus loves you, and he gave his life for you. He understands you better than you do. He really does!! I love Jesus Christ, and I know that he loves me and you.
      Lastly, pray. Pray with your family and pray by yourself. When you pray you are talking to your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. They know you best and they want to help you always. Learn about prayer from the scriptures, your parents, your teachers and your leaders. It is a very very special gift from your Heavenly Father. He knew that you would need to call home so he gave you the best way possible, prayer. I know that he hears us when we pray, and he answers us always.
        Thank you for choosing to follow Jesus. I know that you chose him because you are here on the earth. He was the right one to follow.
       Be good, honest, and above all kind to everyone. My mother, your great grandmother, Mary Durnford told me to, 'Be kind to each other'. She was telling me to be kind to my brothers and sisters. It was the last thing that she said to me before she died. I love my brothers and sisters, and my parents. I have tried to teach that to my children, and I hope that you will value these words. Love your brothers, sisters, and parents. Be a kind person.
   I hope that I meet you soon and that you will always know how much that I love you.

                                                                  love Nanny Jackie

 

FAMILIES ARE FOREVER.