THE GRATIFYING EXTENSIONS

by: Norberto Betita

Norberto G. Betita at 67

The knowledge that I gained about Heavenly Father’s great plan of happiness and the glory that awaits me in the life hereafter, somehow appeals a longing for life’s wrapping up. The continued trimming of my wings by old age and lingering afflictions demands a restful estate of existence afar off the cares of the world. However, it is not for me to implore for a final march into the dark tunnel and slide forward to the other side of the veil. It is only God who has the power and authority to serve the summon.

Therefore, while I thought that I have lived long enough in this life, I still have to give forbearance to however long He required of me for an extension to stay in this troubled world. I have to endure in patience the challenges of continuing infirmities and weariness.

I’m already in the period of life when all things seem to be against all my efforts to improve my physical health. I realized that no matter my efforts and no matter how much resources I spend, my physical body is already due for deterioration. My body is now becoming like a vintage machine. I may still have to seek from the expert mechanics of this mortal coil, but I could not have the guarantee of a perfect restoration. My doctors may provide me with the best medical prescriptions; I may have the most applicable vitamins, and expensive supplements; I may be able to provide myself and eat the best foods, fresh fruits and veggies, but still it cannot assure for me the ultimate cure. Old age will slowly drag me down the precipice onto the point of no return.

I know, however, that there is a restoration of all things, “…which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets.

“The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame.

And then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of God” (Alma 40:20-23, 25).

What a glorious promise! What a grandiose destination for an infirmed and weary soul that I am, to think about and to wish to go aboard. But in each of us, God has a reason for an extension. Although we are already in such a short time between sunsets and evening stars, we still have much to do that would satisfy the longings of the heart for the gratifying extensions of our mortal life. 

In my life, I have always wanted to guide my children to live gospel oriented lives. So are the rest of the buds in our family tree, although I understand that my responsibility to my grandchildren as regards leading a life of obedience is only by showing the best example that I could present. While my children are now old enough to be on their own, I still cherish and treasure those moments when they were yet under our nurturing and guiding hands. At this time of my life when I can no longer impose upon them the needed rules and nurturing imperatives, I am immensely grateful for the privilege to know and see how our efforts to raise them in righteousness have gone so far. I love President Gordon B. Hinckley’s words on this regard. Said he: “You have nothing in this world more precious than your children. When you grow old, when your hair turns white and your body grows weary, when you are prone to sit in a rocker and meditate on the things of your life, nothing will be so important as the question of how your children have turned out. It will not be the money you have made. It will not be the cars you have owned. It will not be the large house in which you live. The searing question that will cross your mind again and again will be, How well have my children done?” (Your Greatest Challenge, Mother, Gordon B. Hinckley, October 2000, General Conference). 

Indeed, in partnership with my dearest Letty, we prepared our children both temporally and spiritually for their battle ahead of them. We provided them with the needed secular learning that they can possibly obtain as well as spiritual knowledge through the Seminary and Institute. While we desire for their temporal advancement, we have always impressed upon their young minds the paramount importance of seeking “first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” (see Matthew 6:33). Since then, and even while in college, they have served voluntarily and as called upon in different capacities in the church.

As I now reflect on this extended life in my mortal journey, I rejoice in the privilege to witness my children being active participants in the great and marvelous work of salvation and not just the lazy and idle spectators. As of this writing, my eldest Hazel is counselor in the Branch Primary Presidency; my son Robert Sherwin is District President and his wife Analiza serves in the District Young Women Presidency; my daughter Lori Lynne is District Primary President and her husband Fraodel is Branch President; my fourth child Kathleen Beth is now Ward Primary President; and our foster Daughter Angelica is Secretary to the Branch Young Women Organization. Our two grandchildren---Craig Kirby and Rulon Asher---were ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood as Teacher and Deacon, respectively. Of course as an example for them, and despite our feeble and weary bodies, we still serve. Letty is branch Relief Society President and Institute Teacher. I am presently serving as District Sunday School President and District Auditor. My last born Shauna Megan, although she had served before, is now pregnant for our 11th grandchild. I hope though that in due time, she will again be called by inspiration to serve and be supported by her non-member husband Richard. These to me are marvelous achievements far beyond the glory that the worldly wealth and mammon can provide.

 

While their journey is still far distant to the finish line, and we as parents are now dependent on Heavenly Father’s gift of extension, I wish to remind them to continue to march on to the covenant path with the same fervor and cadence. Heavenly Father’s promise are sure: “…it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection…and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths… to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.

“Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them” (D & C 132:19-20).

With such promises are shown to the prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon the grandeur of the Celestial Kingdom. The vision described thus: “And thus we saw the glory of the celestial, which excels in all things—where God, even the Father, reigns upon his throne forever and ever;

“Before whose throne all things bow in humble reverence, and give him glory forever and ever.

“They who dwell in his presence are the church of the Firstborn; and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having received of his fulness and of his grace;

“And he makes them equal in power, and in might, and in dominion” (D & C 76:92–95).

As I now look at the majestic potentials of my children and grandchildren as they are at present and the rest of my yet coming posterity, I marvel at the love that Heavenly Father has for His children as to prepare for them such breathtaking and compelling promise of a magnificent state and condition of divine royalty. Thus, it would be such an awfully reckless and stupid diversion of them to stray and turn away from the covenant path.

So that at this time of my weariness attendant to old age and lingering afflictions, I thank God for the gratifying extensions that He has afforded me to continue to witness my children and grandchildren actively participating in His work and glory, “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

My life may not be as rewarding as it is now with diminishing dynamism and physical limitations. I am now prune to inevitable shortcomings. The path to progress is now constricted. Yet I tried to live with joy and contentment. I found that even in this final episode of my life story, there are still many things that could be done even in the 11th hour as to merit God’s love and blessing. Elder Dieter Uchtdorf said: "No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today, because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we may hope and be assured that the ending of the book of our lives will exceed our grandest expectations."

As I now turn 67 today, August 25, 2019, I renew my deepest commitment to always remember the Lord Jesus Christ, whose hands and feet are scarred by that cruel nails as He died on that forbidding cross for me, a sinner. I bear solemn witness of His redeeming love and mercy and His ever extended hands that help me bear the burdens of life. He is my Saviour and Redeemer; my elder brother; my best friend; my advocate to the Father; and my righteous judge. He is the light of the world and the “Lamb which is in the midst of the throne” (Revelation 17:7) of Heavenly Father.

I express gratitude to Heavenly Father for still giving me an extension of my life in mortality to cherish and relish the wonderful memories of the past; the magnificent spiritual accomplishments of the present; and the brilliant prospects of that blessed day when I will finally be summoned to embark into the doors of death and take a perfect view of the grandeur of the life that awaits me in the Spirit World.