#136 We Sent Our Very Best
Deity has consistently given us incomparable leaders. Appropriately, we praise God for sending to Earth those capable of fulfilling special missions; meeting uncommon needs at unique points in time (would we have America but for George Washington?). But President Nelson's repeated emphasis about coordinated work on "both sides of the veil" compels us to expand our view. I have pondered this "bi-lateral" concept and have felt a powerful assurance that, sometimes, we are asked to allow Heaven to take our finest, most compassionate, and most accomplished souls to continue Deity's "work and glory" in the world of spirits. Milton was needed there.
“We Sent Our Very Best”
[For Milton]
A battle won (the war proceeds),
The time had come to seed this Earth.
Which of the mighty would You send?
Whose soul had shown the needed worth?
It fell on Michael (soon renamed),
To start, anew, Your Holy Plan.
With Mother Eve he broke a law,
That they could birth the race of man.
You sent Your very best.
Millennia passed, the time arrived,
For You to give redemption’s grace.
Of all Your children, One alone,
Could pay the price; our sins erase.
Jehovah, He the great “I Am”,
Was born as Jesus, Mary’s son.
In mortal life, just as before,
He showed Your love in all He’d done.
You sent Your very best.
"Times of refreshing" came at last,
Preparing for Millennial Day.
Again, You chose a stripling youth,
To teach our world how far it strayed.
Your Saints rejoiced to hear Your truths,
Come from a farm boy rich in faith.
He sealed his witness with his blood,
To keep Your restoration safe.
You sent Your very best.
Unknown to us, the “other side”
Has needs as urgent as our own.
Thus, valiant leaders of our day,
Are called by You to go back home.
There they will use their unique gifts,
In ways that we can’t comprehend.
They leave loved ones behind so that
Your Saints may yet survive world’s end.
We sent our very best.
© servingjesuspoetry.com
Unlimited non-commercial usage allowed.
TRIGGER AND DISCUSSION:
Milton’s transition was as surprising as it was unwelcome. He was a hardy septuagenarian, still vigorous and alert. Yet one night a fatal heart attack deprived us, and his noble family, of a leader with a spirit we had long loved.
His death disturbed me deeply. Milton was always there for us. His mere presence brought calm and happiness. His background was "education" and "management", including the administration of programs and corporate/charitable entities. Under his guidance, a host of future leaders were taught in the Lord’s way. His service in the Kingdom was…exceptional, including both his tenure as a supremely effective and loving stake president followed by three missions, including a rather awesome assignment as a regional welfare missionary/leader in the Far East—a "low profile" but critically important post involving multiple nations and interactions with myriad civil and ecclesiastical leaders. His labors will ultimately benefit the lives of hundreds of millions. It was both an international success and the supreme capstone to a life of divine service. Milton was, and remains, a giant.
In my vanity and selfishness, I thought this should be his time to savor the rewards of obedience and devotion. His bride and queen remained as gracious, lucid and stalwart as he. Their progeny courageously followed in their parent's footsteps as missionaries and servants of the Lord. Why was he called away?
As I pondered this subject, both words and reassurance came to me. An entire week of laboring in the Spirit has led me to expand, not retreat from, my premise--just as we need special leaders to overcome profound mortal challenges, Deity sometimes asks those heroes who have been tested, taught, and triumphed in mortality to assume critical posts in the post-mortal realm. This is done so Deity may fulfill its supernal commitment to care for billions of souls—some post-mortal spirits and some yet to have “their turn on Earth”. [God’s “work and glory”] As Father’s House is a house of order, skillful and devout managers and leaders are needed on both sides of the veil.
I came to this opinion by way of an imaginary discussion at the highest levels of Heaven about an immediate, pressing need for a gifted administrator who could “take the baton of temporal stewardship in 21st Century Asia and run with it on this side of the veil”.
The question arose: “Who have we got to fill this post? We need someone now.”
The reply: “No one here who is not otherwise fully occupied has the requisite combination of virtue and administrative skills needed to ‘hit the ground running’ with this program”.
“Is there anyone below with the needed experience, talent, and worthiness?”
"Yes, in the California desert is a consecrated leader who has already shown he can advance projects which can bless millions of souls. But he is beloved of his family and friends. He takes good care of himself. His loss will grieve many.”
“Yes, we see him now. He was uniquely prepared for this. Bring him home, quickly and without suffering. He has personal, first-hand experience with the mortal places, people, and conditions critical for success. He will do the job, and his family has sufficient faith and commitment that they will grieve, but not begrudge our need. And, thus, both sides of the veil will collaborate to fulfill the Plan of Happiness.”
And so, Milton got another mission call. And he is fulfilling it with the same verve and proficiency that made him a trusted servant of the Most High in mortality.
And so, I am content that this was right and proper, and that if I endure in faith, I will someday join with MILLIONS to applaud and thank this singular servant for his work on both sides of the veil. I lament his passing, but I dare not resent it. We commend him to our Father, His Son, and the Holy Ghost. Milton was and shall always remain among our very best.
CROSS-REFERENCES
#61 "Death Has Not Won, But Lost"
#87 "The Righteous Live in Me"
Doctrine and Covenants 42:45-46--"Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch as thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die....And it shall come to pass that those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them
Doctrine & Covenants 124:86--“If they live here let them live unto me; and if they die let them die unto me; for they shall rest from all their labors here, and shall continue their works.”
Rev. §14: 13--“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”
“We Sent Our Very Best”
[For Milton]
A battle won (the war proceeds),
The time had come to seed this Earth.
Which of the mighty would You send?
Whose soul had shown the needed worth?
It fell on Michael (soon renamed),
To start, anew, Your Holy Plan.
With Mother Eve he broke a law,
That they could birth the race of man.
You sent Your very best.
Millennia passed, the time arrived,
For You to give redemption’s grace.
Of all Your children, One alone,
Could pay the price; our sins erase.
Jehovah, He the great “I Am”,
Was born as Jesus, Mary’s son.
In mortal life, just as before,
He showed Your love in all He’d done.
You sent Your very best.
"Times of refreshing" came at last,
Preparing for Millennial Day.
Again, You chose a stripling youth,
To teach our world how far it strayed.
Your Saints rejoiced to hear Your truths,
Come from a farm boy rich in faith.
He sealed his witness with his blood,
To keep Your restoration safe.
You sent Your very best.
Unknown to us, the “other side”
Has needs as urgent as our own.
Thus, valiant leaders of our day,
Are called by You to go back home.
There they will use their unique gifts,
In ways that we can’t comprehend.
They leave loved ones behind so that
Your Saints may yet survive world’s end.
We sent our very best.
© servingjesuspoetry.com
Unlimited non-commercial usage allowed.
TRIGGER AND DISCUSSION:
Milton’s transition was as surprising as it was unwelcome. He was a hardy septuagenarian, still vigorous and alert. Yet one night a fatal heart attack deprived us, and his noble family, of a leader with a spirit we had long loved.
His death disturbed me deeply. Milton was always there for us. His mere presence brought calm and happiness. His background was "education" and "management", including the administration of programs and corporate/charitable entities. Under his guidance, a host of future leaders were taught in the Lord’s way. His service in the Kingdom was…exceptional, including both his tenure as a supremely effective and loving stake president followed by three missions, including a rather awesome assignment as a regional welfare missionary/leader in the Far East—a "low profile" but critically important post involving multiple nations and interactions with myriad civil and ecclesiastical leaders. His labors will ultimately benefit the lives of hundreds of millions. It was both an international success and the supreme capstone to a life of divine service. Milton was, and remains, a giant.
In my vanity and selfishness, I thought this should be his time to savor the rewards of obedience and devotion. His bride and queen remained as gracious, lucid and stalwart as he. Their progeny courageously followed in their parent's footsteps as missionaries and servants of the Lord. Why was he called away?
As I pondered this subject, both words and reassurance came to me. An entire week of laboring in the Spirit has led me to expand, not retreat from, my premise--just as we need special leaders to overcome profound mortal challenges, Deity sometimes asks those heroes who have been tested, taught, and triumphed in mortality to assume critical posts in the post-mortal realm. This is done so Deity may fulfill its supernal commitment to care for billions of souls—some post-mortal spirits and some yet to have “their turn on Earth”. [God’s “work and glory”] As Father’s House is a house of order, skillful and devout managers and leaders are needed on both sides of the veil.
I came to this opinion by way of an imaginary discussion at the highest levels of Heaven about an immediate, pressing need for a gifted administrator who could “take the baton of temporal stewardship in 21st Century Asia and run with it on this side of the veil”.
The question arose: “Who have we got to fill this post? We need someone now.”
The reply: “No one here who is not otherwise fully occupied has the requisite combination of virtue and administrative skills needed to ‘hit the ground running’ with this program”.
“Is there anyone below with the needed experience, talent, and worthiness?”
"Yes, in the California desert is a consecrated leader who has already shown he can advance projects which can bless millions of souls. But he is beloved of his family and friends. He takes good care of himself. His loss will grieve many.”
“Yes, we see him now. He was uniquely prepared for this. Bring him home, quickly and without suffering. He has personal, first-hand experience with the mortal places, people, and conditions critical for success. He will do the job, and his family has sufficient faith and commitment that they will grieve, but not begrudge our need. And, thus, both sides of the veil will collaborate to fulfill the Plan of Happiness.”
And so, Milton got another mission call. And he is fulfilling it with the same verve and proficiency that made him a trusted servant of the Most High in mortality.
And so, I am content that this was right and proper, and that if I endure in faith, I will someday join with MILLIONS to applaud and thank this singular servant for his work on both sides of the veil. I lament his passing, but I dare not resent it. We commend him to our Father, His Son, and the Holy Ghost. Milton was and shall always remain among our very best.
CROSS-REFERENCES
#61 "Death Has Not Won, But Lost"
#87 "The Righteous Live in Me"
Doctrine and Covenants 42:45-46--"Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch as thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die....And it shall come to pass that those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them
Doctrine & Covenants 124:86--“If they live here let them live unto me; and if they die let them die unto me; for they shall rest from all their labors here, and shall continue their works.”
Rev. §14: 13--“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”