Not long ago I received a letter concerning a choice young deacon, Isaac Reiter, and the deacons, teachers, and priests who served, lifted, and blessed his life and their own lives.
Isaac fought cancer from the time he was seven months old until his death at age 13.
When he and his family moved to a home near a hospital so that Isaac could receive proper medical attention, the Aaronic Priesthood members in the nearby ward were asked to provide the sacrament to them each Sunday.
This weekly ordinance became a favorite of the Aaronic Priesthood holders who participated. Along with their leaders and Isaac's family, they would gather around Isaac's hospital bed, sing hymns, and share testimonies.
Then the sacrament would be blessed.
Isaac always insisted that, as a deacon, he pass the sacrament to his family and to those who had brought it.
As he lay in his bed, he gathered the strength to hold a plate of either the blessed bread or water.
All present would come to Isaac and partake of the sacrament from the plate.
Nurses and other medical staff soon began to participate in the meeting as they realized that Isaac was close to his Heavenly Father and always honored Him.
Though weak and in pain, Isaac always held himself with the honor of someone holding a royal priesthood.
Isaac was a great example to the young men in the ward.
They saw his desire to fulfill his duties, even on his deathbed, and they realized that those duties were really privileges.
They began showing up earlier in order to prepare the sacrament and to be in their seats on time.
There was more reverence.
Isaac Reiter became a living sermon concerning honoring the priesthood.
At his funeral, it was said that throughout his life he had one foot in heaven.
No doubt he continues to magnify his duties and assist in the work beyond the veil.
-Thomas S. Monson -Our Sacred Priesthood Trust -April 2006 General Conference
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
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