This past Sunday was ward conference. The theme was "Finding Christ Through Temple Attendance". Bishop stood and shared this sweet fact about his 17 year old autistic son, Kevin. Each Sunday when Bishop comes home after a long day of meetings, he sits down to eat his evening meal. About half way through that meal, Kevin begins to hover awaiting for one of two things to happen, 1) his father's empty plate 2) his father to set his eating utensils down as if finished. Sometimes Kevin will ensure that his father does not go for seconds by removing the serving utensils. Once Bishop is finished eating, Kevin brings him his keys, jacket and sunglasses. (doesn't matter how dark it is outside) The family then participates in a long running tradition of piling into the vehicle and going down to the Mesa LDS Temple to walk the grounds and enjoy one anther's company and the peaceful spirit there. It's something that Kevin must have every Sunday as a part of his ritual. Bishop then went on to explain, apologizing ahead of time to ward members, that whenever Kevin goes to visit ward member's homes he must go home and take a bath. He also went on to explain that when he comes home from school, he must have a bath. After he comes home from the store, he must have a bath, but when they come home from the temple, he does not need feel the need to take a bath.
Such a simple young man, unable to think, act and communicate as you and I can, but the spirit speaks to his soul the same. Kevin recognizes the house of his Heavenly Father and desires to be a part of it. What a beautiful example of coming to Christ through attending the temple. What great and simple blessings can be ours through such a simple act.
2 comments:
That is such a sweet story!
Thank you for sharing that story. As I have two nephews who are autistic, I see their distinctly closeness to our Heavenly Father. They are truly special spirits. Ones that we are fortunate to have in our family.
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