Six Daughters

In closing, may I share with you a story of a woman whose like demonstrated trials, promises, and dedication to Relief Society.

Years ago, a faithful father and mother were traveling with three of their six daughters from Utah to Washington.
About 13 miles out of Baker, Oregon, the car spun out of control, let the road, and rolled tow and a a half times.
The second time it rolled over, the mother, who was driving, and her youngest daughter, who was 10 years old, were thrown from the car.
Because the car did not have enough momentum to complete the third roll, it rocked back and pinned the mother and daughter beneath its weight.
The father quickly surveyed the situation and, knowing that if the car was not moved quickly his wife would die, he bowed his head in humble prayer and then proceeded to lift the huge Buick, with its wheels still spinning.
The youngest daughter crawled from beneath as his 12-year-old daughter pulled her mother from beneath the car.
The mother was critically injured and in terrible pain.
As the father tended to the others, the 12-year-old daughter knelt beside her mother to comfort her.
The mother reached for the girl's hand and said, "Always remember who you are, and always be a good girl."

The ambulance soon arrived, and the mother was whisked off to the nearest hospital.
Amid the critical moments of that evening as the mother teetered between life and death, she plead with her Father in Heaven to spare her life long enough to see her six daughters married to worthy men in the house of the Lord.
She promised that if He would grant her this righteous desire, she would then be read to go, and she would dedicate her life to Him.

Miraculously, the woman steadily progressed over the days and weeks that followed until she fully recovered from her near-fatal injuries.
More committed than ever, she faithfully served the Lord and focused her attention on raising her six daughters in righteousness.

Years later, while serving as the stake Relief Society president in Clearfield, Utah, she saw her youngest daughter married for time and all eternity.
That day was the fulfillment of a sacred covenant between a beloved daughter of God and her loving Heavenly Father.
The woman, her husband, their six daughters, and their eternal companions stood together in the house of the Lord.
Her earnest plea from a hospital bed years before had been heard and fulfilled.

From that day forward, the woman's health quickly declined under the ravages of cancer.
Her condition worsened to the point that she could no longer continue in her calling as stake Relief Society president.
As a result, she reluctantly accepted a release just weeks before she serenely and gratefully passed into the eternities, returning to a Heavenly Father who was mindful of her.

-Mary Ellen Smoot -"For Such a Time as This" -October 1997 General Conference

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi