Saturday, August 6, 2011
Elder Abraham Returns
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Abe's Letter from the Funeral
Letter from Elder Abraham Clark for Funeral of Laurie Clark August 2009
As I prayed about what the Lord would want me to say today, I felt inspired to share my source of comfort—that well from which I draw peace and solace—with those in attendance. Understanding God’s plan for me and my family has been and is a priceless gift in my life. One that has sustained me through this trial and one that I know will sustain all of you through your individual trials. Understanding God’s love and plan for us brings peace to my soul and the assurance that I will see my mother again.
Before we came to this earth, we lived with a loving Heavenly Father. “The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16). He loves us unconditionally. He wants us to learn and grow, to progress, to gain knowledge, and become like him. For our benefit, he created a plan to come to earth. We knew that earth would not be easy. There would be temptations, hardships, challenges, even tribulation. Yet, we were excited to come to earth because we knew it would help us to grow and allow us to progress eternally.
Many events in this life can seem difficult, unexplained, or unjust. We must remember that, “All things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things” (2 Nephi 2:24) and that “Man doth not comprehend all things which the Lord can comprehend” (Mosiah 4:9). The Lord will do everything he can to help his children to progress and then return to him. It is important to realize that in order to accomplish our goal in this life, we must deal with hardship, otherwise we would never grow.
What comfort can come to a sorrowing soul through the Atonement of Christ. In our behalf, Christ went forth, “Suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind.” He took, “Upon him the pains and the sicknesses of His people” and he took, “Upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind His people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities” (Alma 7: 11, 12). Through Christ we can receive a “full assurance of hope” (Heb 6:11) if we are diligent in following his example on this earth. In this life, we can always turn to Christ and know that he has suffered more than we could ever suffer. He has a perfect knowledge of all of our pain. If we will turn toward him, he will comfort us and assure us of our father’s love. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Our Heavenly Father loved us enough to sacrifice his son to provide a way for us to return to him. Our savior, Jesus Christ, manifests his love for us by being willing to redeem us from our sins. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Through prayer, we can rely on the atonement to “[bear] our griefs, and [carry] our sorrows” (Mosiah 14:4, Isaiah 53:4). If we do so, Christ promises, “I will not leave you comfortless” (John 14:18). He bids us, “Come unto me, all ye that…are heavy laden…learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Mathew 11:28,29). We must turn to Christ. Have faith in him as our savior. Commit to follow him. Live the way that he lived. As we do this and turn to him in prayer, we will feel his love and comfort as manifested by peace from the Holy Spirit.
At this time of loss, no other knowledge comforts my soul more that the fact that I and my family are members of the same church that Jesus Christ established while he was on the earth. Together, we have a knowledge that someday, we will be reunited and live forever with each other. I know that my mother has accomplished all that she was meant to do in this life and has moved on, as we all eventually will, to a higher calling in the spirit world. The pain that has ruled her mortal body for some time, is finally healed and she is on the path to be, “Taken home to that God who gave [her] life” (Alma 40:11). Now, it is up to us to, “Trust in the Lord with all [our] hear; and lean not unto [our] own understanding. In all [our] ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct [our] paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Our faith must be stronger than this earth. We must lean on the Savior’s atonement, example, and council, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:26-27). I know that God lives. Jesus Christ is His son. The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in its fullness. These are truths I have learned from my mother. These are truths that will allow me to be with her again.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen
Elder Abraham Austin Clark
Baltic Mission
As I prayed about what the Lord would want me to say today, I felt inspired to share my source of comfort—that well from which I draw peace and solace—with those in attendance. Understanding God’s plan for me and my family has been and is a priceless gift in my life. One that has sustained me through this trial and one that I know will sustain all of you through your individual trials. Understanding God’s love and plan for us brings peace to my soul and the assurance that I will see my mother again.
Before we came to this earth, we lived with a loving Heavenly Father. “The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16). He loves us unconditionally. He wants us to learn and grow, to progress, to gain knowledge, and become like him. For our benefit, he created a plan to come to earth. We knew that earth would not be easy. There would be temptations, hardships, challenges, even tribulation. Yet, we were excited to come to earth because we knew it would help us to grow and allow us to progress eternally.
Many events in this life can seem difficult, unexplained, or unjust. We must remember that, “All things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things” (2 Nephi 2:24) and that “Man doth not comprehend all things which the Lord can comprehend” (Mosiah 4:9). The Lord will do everything he can to help his children to progress and then return to him. It is important to realize that in order to accomplish our goal in this life, we must deal with hardship, otherwise we would never grow.
What comfort can come to a sorrowing soul through the Atonement of Christ. In our behalf, Christ went forth, “Suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind.” He took, “Upon him the pains and the sicknesses of His people” and he took, “Upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind His people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities” (Alma 7: 11, 12). Through Christ we can receive a “full assurance of hope” (Heb 6:11) if we are diligent in following his example on this earth. In this life, we can always turn to Christ and know that he has suffered more than we could ever suffer. He has a perfect knowledge of all of our pain. If we will turn toward him, he will comfort us and assure us of our father’s love. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Our Heavenly Father loved us enough to sacrifice his son to provide a way for us to return to him. Our savior, Jesus Christ, manifests his love for us by being willing to redeem us from our sins. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Through prayer, we can rely on the atonement to “[bear] our griefs, and [carry] our sorrows” (Mosiah 14:4, Isaiah 53:4). If we do so, Christ promises, “I will not leave you comfortless” (John 14:18). He bids us, “Come unto me, all ye that…are heavy laden…learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Mathew 11:28,29). We must turn to Christ. Have faith in him as our savior. Commit to follow him. Live the way that he lived. As we do this and turn to him in prayer, we will feel his love and comfort as manifested by peace from the Holy Spirit.
At this time of loss, no other knowledge comforts my soul more that the fact that I and my family are members of the same church that Jesus Christ established while he was on the earth. Together, we have a knowledge that someday, we will be reunited and live forever with each other. I know that my mother has accomplished all that she was meant to do in this life and has moved on, as we all eventually will, to a higher calling in the spirit world. The pain that has ruled her mortal body for some time, is finally healed and she is on the path to be, “Taken home to that God who gave [her] life” (Alma 40:11). Now, it is up to us to, “Trust in the Lord with all [our] hear; and lean not unto [our] own understanding. In all [our] ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct [our] paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Our faith must be stronger than this earth. We must lean on the Savior’s atonement, example, and council, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:26-27). I know that God lives. Jesus Christ is His son. The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in its fullness. These are truths I have learned from my mother. These are truths that will allow me to be with her again.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen
Elder Abraham Austin Clark
Baltic Mission
Friday, August 14, 2009
Full Obituary of Laurie Ann Clark
Laurie Ann (Stucki) Clark passed peacefully from this life, surrounded by her loving family on Monday, August 10, 2009 in Lacey, Washington.
She was born in Blackfoot, Idaho to Sylvia and Hardy Stucki 4 Dec 1962. She graduated from Snake River High School in Blackfoot and completed an AA degree at Rick’s College, now BYU Idaho. Laurie worked as a nanny in Scarsdale, New York for 18 months. She and her friend, Jolene Benson, decided to visit the LDS Branch at West Point one Sunday so see if they could meet a few cadets. It was there that she met Gary who was giving his missionary homecoming. Gary’s friend Scott was better looking, the two decided, but Gary reminded her of her father. Laurie and Gary were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple for time and all eternity on the 8th of June 1984. There first home was in Maryland, where Gary attended medical school. Their sons, Nathaniel, Ben and Zach were born during their four years in Maryland.
The Army took Laurie and her family to Ft Benning, GA, on to Dugway Proving grounds, where Abraham was born, then back to Ft Benning, GA. Laurie was diagnosed with lymphoma in her left breast shortly after her return to Ft. Benning and was treated with radiation at Walter Reed Army Hospital. The family had planned on going to Germany after Gary completed in residency in Family Medicine, but the assignments officer decided that Hawaii would be a better choice for Laurie due to her need for follow up for her cancer. It was not a tough decision for the family.
Laurie loved everything about Hawaii—the beauty of the land, the love of the people, and spending Saturdays at the beach. Laurie live the Aloha Spirit and it was with a heavy heat that she left Hawaii six years later. Spencer, Laurie’s youngest son, was born at Tripler, the big pink hospital, in Hawaii. Gary’s job took the family the Washington State and there was a great period of adjustment for the whole family as they went from the warmth of the Hawaiian sun to the colder, darker, rainier environment of Lacey.
Despite the cold, Laurie enjoyed raising her five boys for the next 11 plus years in Washington. In Jan 2007 she diagnosed with breast cancer. She did well after her lumpectomy until October 2008 when Gary came home from Iraq. She was having headaches at that point and was diagnosed in January 2009 with metastatic breast cancer that continued to spread despite chemotherapy.
Her goals for the remainder of her life were to see, Nathaniel, her oldest son, graduate from West Point and get married, see Ben and Zach come home from their two year missions to Panama and Chile respectively and return to West Point, and to see Abraham leave on his mission to the Baltic States. She accomplished each of these goals even as her strength and health were quickly fading.
On Sunday, as her breathing became more agitated, her Father, Hardy Stucki, Gary and Bishop Brown gave her a blessing. With tears flowing from each of their eyes, they released Laurie to return to her Father in Heaven. Laurie became very calm and a sacred peace and joy filled the room for the rest of the evening. She died the next day after Ben and Zach returned home from West Point to be with their mom.
Her short life was filled with great happiness as she dedicated herself to serving not only her husband and 5 sons, but also friends and neighbors. Laurie’s arms were always open and her heart willing as she touched people’s lives with her genuine warmth and caring personality. She is survived by her loving husband Gary; sons, Nathaniel (Sarah), Benjamin, Zachariah, Abraham and Spencer.
Funeral Services: 11am Sat 15 Aug at the LDS chapel, 1602 Ruddell Rd. Lacey, WA
Viewings: Fri 14 Aug 7-8:30pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 5930 Mullen Rd.
Sat 10am LDS Chapel.
Internment: 11am Wednesday 19 August 2009 at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, Salt Lake City, Utah
She was born in Blackfoot, Idaho to Sylvia and Hardy Stucki 4 Dec 1962. She graduated from Snake River High School in Blackfoot and completed an AA degree at Rick’s College, now BYU Idaho. Laurie worked as a nanny in Scarsdale, New York for 18 months. She and her friend, Jolene Benson, decided to visit the LDS Branch at West Point one Sunday so see if they could meet a few cadets. It was there that she met Gary who was giving his missionary homecoming. Gary’s friend Scott was better looking, the two decided, but Gary reminded her of her father. Laurie and Gary were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple for time and all eternity on the 8th of June 1984. There first home was in Maryland, where Gary attended medical school. Their sons, Nathaniel, Ben and Zach were born during their four years in Maryland.
The Army took Laurie and her family to Ft Benning, GA, on to Dugway Proving grounds, where Abraham was born, then back to Ft Benning, GA. Laurie was diagnosed with lymphoma in her left breast shortly after her return to Ft. Benning and was treated with radiation at Walter Reed Army Hospital. The family had planned on going to Germany after Gary completed in residency in Family Medicine, but the assignments officer decided that Hawaii would be a better choice for Laurie due to her need for follow up for her cancer. It was not a tough decision for the family.
Laurie loved everything about Hawaii—the beauty of the land, the love of the people, and spending Saturdays at the beach. Laurie live the Aloha Spirit and it was with a heavy heat that she left Hawaii six years later. Spencer, Laurie’s youngest son, was born at Tripler, the big pink hospital, in Hawaii. Gary’s job took the family the Washington State and there was a great period of adjustment for the whole family as they went from the warmth of the Hawaiian sun to the colder, darker, rainier environment of Lacey.
Despite the cold, Laurie enjoyed raising her five boys for the next 11 plus years in Washington. In Jan 2007 she diagnosed with breast cancer. She did well after her lumpectomy until October 2008 when Gary came home from Iraq. She was having headaches at that point and was diagnosed in January 2009 with metastatic breast cancer that continued to spread despite chemotherapy.
Her goals for the remainder of her life were to see, Nathaniel, her oldest son, graduate from West Point and get married, see Ben and Zach come home from their two year missions to Panama and Chile respectively and return to West Point, and to see Abraham leave on his mission to the Baltic States. She accomplished each of these goals even as her strength and health were quickly fading.
On Sunday, as her breathing became more agitated, her Father, Hardy Stucki, Gary and Bishop Brown gave her a blessing. With tears flowing from each of their eyes, they released Laurie to return to her Father in Heaven. Laurie became very calm and a sacred peace and joy filled the room for the rest of the evening. She died the next day after Ben and Zach returned home from West Point to be with their mom.
Her short life was filled with great happiness as she dedicated herself to serving not only her husband and 5 sons, but also friends and neighbors. Laurie’s arms were always open and her heart willing as she touched people’s lives with her genuine warmth and caring personality. She is survived by her loving husband Gary; sons, Nathaniel (Sarah), Benjamin, Zachariah, Abraham and Spencer.
Funeral Services: 11am Sat 15 Aug at the LDS chapel, 1602 Ruddell Rd. Lacey, WA
Viewings: Fri 14 Aug 7-8:30pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 5930 Mullen Rd.
Sat 10am LDS Chapel.
Internment: 11am Wednesday 19 August 2009 at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, Salt Lake City, Utah
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Funeral Services of Laurie Ann Clark
Please join us to celebrate the life of our dear mother Laurie Ann Clark. A viewing will be held on Friday at Woodlawn Funeral Home at 7:00pm. Services will be held the following day, Saturday August 15th, at the LDS chapel at 1602 Ruddell RD. Please come and join us.
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