On behalf of Jennifer and James Grover, their children, their parents, and their siblings I would like to thank all those who have supported them in their time of need; thank you for the service you rendered during this difficult time. In general, thank you to: the community; the medical professionals; the teachers and school leadership; their many friends; and Bishop Madsen, the ward and other church members. A special thanks to the Relief Society and Sister Katrina Mortensen, the Relief Society President, for the countless hours and days of service and assistance that she rendered during this trial.
We have been provided by a kind and gracious Heavenly Father the Plan of Salvation, also known as the Plan of Happiness. We each lived spiritually in a pre-earth existence as sons and daughters of an Eternal Heavenly Father. In order for us to grow and become like our Father we were each given a physical body and were placed on the earth. In order for us to return to our Father we each agreed to face temptation, trial, and tribulation to prove that we are willing to live the commandments and overcome our afflictions. In this life, we all sin and must repent. In addition, we are subject to death. To reclaim us from sin and death, our Heavenly Father’s plan provided a Savior, whose atonement would redeem us from both sin and death. In addition, through the atonement, our Savior has borne our grief and carried our sorrows. We have the promise that if we receive the principles and ordinances of the gospel, live the commandments, and endure to the end we will receive eternal life and together with our family members we will live in the presence of God the Eternal Father and His Son Jesus Christ for all Eternity.
Unfortunately, our trials can become severe at times. In the last General Conference, President Monson stated, “Our Heavenly Father, who gives us so much to delight in, also knows that we learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass. We know that there are times when we will experience heartbreaking sorrow, when we will grieve, and when we may be tested to our limits. However, such difficulties allow us to change for the better, to rebuild our lives in the way our Heavenly Father teaches us, and to become something different from what we were—better than we were, more understanding than we were, more empathetic than we were, with stronger testimonies than we had before.”
Ranking at the top of the trial list is the death of a loved one. All in this congregation will eventually participate in their version of this trial. The pain can be immeasurable for those left behind. In the case of Jacob, he was 8 years old. From a worldly point of view, he was constrained in his physical and mental potential. Some might say he never would have accomplished much of what the world thinks is important. (That’s because the world does not know all the capabilities of Jacob’s mother). Accomplishments such as:
- writing a poem
- solving an algebraic equation
- obtaining a drivers license
- earning the rank of eagle scout
- becoming a CEO of a large company
- making money
And yet, from the Lord’s perspective, Jacob was perfect in many respects:
- the love he had for his family was unconditional
- his gratitude for all things
- his willingness to forgive
- being pure in heart; we know that the Lord Jesus Christ said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matt 5:8)
I asked his siblings to list for me one letter words that described Jacob and this is the response I received: humorous, loving, perfect, funny, cute, energetic, forgiving, and happy.
We all have one life time in which to earn our exaltation. Jacob only took 8 years to earn the celestial kingdom. In Mosiah 5:24-25 we read, “…and they have a part in the first resurrection, or have eternal life, being redeemed by the Lord…And little children also have eternal life.”
So today as we celebrate the life of Jacob we have the assurance and knowledge that:
- Although never earning a dollar, he is an heir to all that Heavenly Father has
- his intellectual capacity is unlimited
- his vision is no longer limited, but rather his vision is expanded so that one day he will see the mysteries of God
- he is among those whose bodies will be celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God
- he was called to begin his celestial schooling and his mission on the other side of the veil at Christmas time; over 2,000 years ago Christ was called to begin his earthly mission on this side of the veil at Christmas time
In closing I would like to quote a paragraph from President Monson’s talk at the last conference. I would like to make one change. Instead of using the name of Frances, President Monson’s wife, I would like to take the liberty of using Jacob’s name and let me speak as if I were Jennifer or James. “Of utmost comfort to me during this tender time of parting have been my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the knowledge I have that my dear [Jacob] lives still. I know that our separation is temporary. We were sealed in the house of God by one having authority to bind on earth and in heaven. I know that we will be reunited one day and will never again be separated. This is the knowledge that sustains me.”
I will miss:
- his contagious smile and fantastic laugh
- his strong little body as he twisted it into the “perfect pretzel”
- his desire to always play and organize yet another game
- his exuberance to greet all who came to the front door and welcome them as a friend
- his ability to organize any activity
- his ability to pedal his plastic vehicles for hours
Jacob will be missed by many. There will be a void in our lives that will not be filled. Time will soften the pain, but it will never be gone. At sad times, only the joy of our eventual reunion will give us the strength to carry on.
I know that the Lord knows and loves each one of us. Moses 1:39 states, “For behold, this is my work and my glory – to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” For Jacob, that work and that glory is being realized.
