Behold

I’d taken this photograph a week ago and posted it on Facebook to share with my friends accompanied by a short but thoughtful text.

“I noticed that fall decided to make an appearance here in Buffalo, Texas. This tree is on our property and should be glorious to behold as the rest of it chimes in.”

Interestingly, the lesson presented by Brother Young in the Priesthood hour this past Sunday focused on the meaning of the word ‘behold’ and immediately I remembered having used that word to express my appreciation for an event that had yet come to fruition.

During the lesson my mind drifted to the scriptural account of Jesus on the cross and the words, “Behold thy mother”.  Had I missed the intended meaning of this simple command?

I went back and read a talk given by Thomas S. Monson in General Conference of 1998,  Behold Thy Mother , where he explained an important link between God, the Creator of all, and mothers who fill a similar role.

“As we truly listen to that gentle command and with gladness obey its intent, gone forever will be the vast legions of “mothers forgotten.” Everywhere present will be “mothers remembered,” “mothers blessed,” and “mothers loved”; and, as in the beginning, God will once again survey the workmanship of His own hand and be led to say, “It is very good.”

May each of us treasure this truth: One cannot forget mother and remember God. One cannot remember mother and forget God. Why?  Because these two sacred persons, God and mother, partners in creation, in love, in sacrifice, in service, are as one.”

Behold…  Do we see the beauty all around us and consider it as a gift… really?  When we contemplate the efforts and sacrifice of others who make our lives a little better can we appreciate, really appreciate all that is done, all that will yet be done for our benefit?  That and so much more is included in that simple word, behold.

This article has been cross posted to The Self Educated American, a publication whose banner reads, “Standing Fast By the Judeo-Christian Heritage, Limited Government and the U.S. Constitution”.