April 3rd and the Color of Yellow

I was at work on a Monday night. It was late. The year was 1995. I received a phone call from my wife to tell me our friend had died. I was shocked. Have you had experiences where the picture is taken in your mind and you remember everything about it? Whenever you think about the experience, it is as if time has stopped and you relive it again. Well, this is one of those times. I remember bowing my head after getting off the phone and weeping.

His death and the date of death reminded me of a specific time in the Doctrine and Covenants. On April 3rd, there was a great outpouring of the spirit on that date. You can read about it in section 110. For some reason, I tied the date of his death with the experiences in the Kirtland Temple.

I wrote a letter to his widow expressing my thoughts and sharing the date and experiences in Kirtland. I am told she has read and re-read that letter. Every year since that time, I call her on the 3rd to tell her I am thinking of her and that she is in my prayers. I know she looks forward to the call each April 3rd. It is an especially difficult day but I try my best to help her through it.

In October 2009, she was in the hospital. I went there with our Bishop to visit and give her a blessing. During the blessing, I felt that her time on earth was drawing to a close. Also, I felt her husband nearby and told her so and that he was watching over her. She also felt a closeness to her husband.

A few weeks ago, LaRee and I were in her home and listened to the "take your breath away" report on her health. She has cancer and there is no cure, no surgery, no light to be shed on her situation. We reminisced and then I placed my hands on her head and gave her a blessing as directed by the spirit.

Two sessions of chemotherapy sapped all of her strength and ability to function. So, no more chemo. She has perked up a bit now since the chemo is over and her strength is returning.

So, today is April 3rd. Earlier in the week, I pondered what I could do. This is year number 15. I thought that I should not call this year but visit her in person. After the morning session of conference, I went to the store and bought some flowers to give her. I looked at all the flowers. There was a beautiful single dark red rose in a swan vase. It was tempting. Then I saw a pure white rose in the same type of vase. I picked it up and put it back down. I looked to the right and saw a round bowl (kind of like the size of a Christmas Snow Globe) with some yellow and white daffodils. I felt impressed to buy it. As I was walking out of the store, I ran into another friend who is close to this woman. She told me that yellow was the favorite color of the husband of this woman. Wow! Could I have been inspired or guided to buy that flower arrangement?

Following the afternoon session of conference, I went to her home to visit. She loved the flowers. We had a discussion about the color of yellow. Her husband talked her into buying yellow carpet for their home at one time. The condition? That he take his shoes off when he came into the home. He always took his shoes off when they had that yellow carpet. He had 17 yellow shirts. His vehicles were yellow. His wife loves yellow too. I had no idea before today that yellow was so important to her. Two years ago, Thomas S. Monson, was sustained the President of the church. The following day, a news conference was held. One of the questions asked was, "What is your favorite color?" He responded, "Yellow." He says it brings out the best in a picture or printing. For many years, he worked in the printing business.

After we visited, she asked for a blessing before I left. Before I did so, I reminded her of the date and the significance of it at the Kirland Temple. I told her that there were many visions. I then told her that she would soon be having opportunities to start having experiences like that. Once again, I placed my hands on her head. I struggled with my emotions. Often, there were long silent pauses while I tried to gain my composure so she could understand my voice. I am so thrilled with the marvelous plan presented to us in our pre-mortal life by our Father. The Great Plan of Happiness. The Plan of Salvation. The Plan of Redemption. They are all the same plan. Does it not give us hope? And what do we hope for? Why of course, a glorious resurrection.

I love my friend. She too, wept as I did today, during the blessing. In a coming day, her reunion with her husband will be sweet. Then she will also see her daughter who died at such a young age. I hope the streets are yellow.

As the Priesthood choir tonight sang the 5th verse of The Iron Rod, I was drawn to the words:

Afar we see the golden rest
To which the rod will guide.
Where, with the angels bright and blest,
Forever we'll abide.

Who knew that the color of yellow was so important? I am grateful for April 3rd.