Preachings from "Pollyanna"

    In 1960, Disney released a movie titled, “Pollyanna.” It was based on a 1913 book by the same name. The plot follows a 12 year old girl who moves in with her wealthy aunt in a small town that is mostly controlled by the wealth and influence of her aunt. Pollyanna is a pleasant and cheerful girl who always finds something to be happy about. She introduces a game called “the glad game” where you find something to be glad about. At one point someone thinks they have stumped Pollyanna into finding nothing good about Sundays to which Pollyanna replies that you can be glad there are 7 whole days before you have to have another Sunday. At one point in the movie, the pastor of the local church delivers a fiery sermon about how “DEATH COMES UNEXPECTEDLY,” full of pulpit pounding and shouting loud enough to make the chandeliers dance. It is this phrase, “death comes unexpectedly” upon which I would like to focus at this time.

A dear friend passed away this past weekend. While she was in her 70’s, she was in fairly good health until falling. She hit her head, experienced a brain bleed, and passed away within two days of this accident. She loved people! She would take birthday doughnuts to members of the ward for their birthdays. She would bring the newspaper to my house just to talk. Sometimes she came by multiple times a day. What added more to the relationship is the fact that she was from Germany, the country where I served my mission. She became a German mother and grandmother figure.  We also shared a birthday which added to our bond and I appreciated being able to use my German to communicate with her. She was the last person to send us off as we moved from Utah to Washington State. My family and I were able to visit her earlier this year and she often called to leave me messages and just to check in. I will miss those visits and conversations. I guess my point in sharing this is to highlight the fact that death does come unexpectedly. I know the plan of salvation is real and that one day I will see this dear friend again, but for now, I will cling to the memories that I have. I am glad I have voicemails saved of her voice and can share those with my daughter. I will not resort to yelling “DEATH COMES UNEXPECTEDLY” like the pastor in Pollyanna, but today, those words serve as a reminder to cherish the relationships we have in this life. 

I am also comforted by the words of President Nelson in his talk, “Think Celestial.” Regarding the passing of loved ones, he said: 

“When you are confronted with a dilemma, think celestial! When tested by temptation, think celestial! When life or loved ones let you down, think celestial! When someone dies prematurely, think celestial. When someone lingers with a devastating illness, think celestial. When the pressures of life crowd in upon you, think celestial! As you recover from an accident or injury, as I am doing now, think celestial!"

    This is and can be a comforting teaching. I am by no means in any hurry to see this friend again as there is still much to do in this life, however, I do rejoice and to use Pollyanna’s “glad game” I am glad that I will be able to see this friend along with many others again because of the power of Jesus Christ which makes the plan of salvation possible. I love to seek and find truths of the gospel in the media I partake of and “Pollyanna” has provided a few instances of how I am able to do this.