Blogger of Jared

The fourth in a five part series.  See I, II, III, V.

“The Anderson’s are sure a nice couple”, said Earl’s wife.

“Yes they are”, replied Earl.

“They moved here from California, you know”, she added.

“What part?”, asked Earl.

“San Francisco, I think. I wonder why they don’t have any children?”

“Maybe they can’t.”, Earl suggested.

“Or maybe they don’t want children yet.”, she offered.

“It’s really none of our business.”, Earl concluded. His wife was often talking about people. So much of it was idle speculation and gossip. But what else is an old couple, married this long, supposed to talk about?

“If your finished with dinner, you should go lie down for a while. You look tired. I have some cake that needs to cool. I’ll call you when it is ready.”

“I’m not that tired, mother. Perhaps I should do the dishes or something.”, Earl offered.

“Nonsense! You look like you would fall over before you had them done. Besides, you don’t do the dishes right anyway. I would have to do them all over again if you did them. Now go lie down, and I will call you when the cake is ready.”

“Yes, mother.”

Earl shuffled off to the living room and sat in his favorite chair. He could have done the dishes, and they would have been done just fine. He could do a lot of things if she would allow it. So, Earl sat in his chair instead of lying down - a show of protest. He stared out the front window.

[In the home of the Anderson's. Earl and his home teaching companion are wrapping up a home teaching visit. And they ask the usual questions.]

“So how are the two of you doing?”

Brother Anderson looks at sister Anderson, and she looks back. A brief hesitation, followed by a forced smile. “We’re just fine.”, answered brother Anderson.

Earl pauses for a moment, sensing there is something more. The spirit urges him to go on.

“What is the biggest problem that you face?”, Earl follows up.

After another pause, sister Anderson opens up, “We have not been able to have any children yet. We have been trying for seven years. We have sought help from doctors. We have even looked into adoption. We just are not sure what to do, or what the Lord has in store for us.” Tears come to her eyes. Brother Anderson reaches his hand out, and she takes it.

“Could you give my wife a blessing?”, asks brother Anderson.

“We would be glad to.”, responds Earl. “But would you like to voice the blessing?”

“I have given her blessings before. We would really appreciate the two of you providing the blessing.”, admitted brother Anderson.

“I’ll anoint.”, suggests Earl’s companion. He quickly takes an oil vile out of his pocket.

After the anointing, Earl lays his hands on sister Anderson’s head. His companion then places his hands on top of Earl’s. Earl reaches out with his feelings for the spirit, to know what to say. In an instant he knows he can bless this good woman with anything her heart desires. He sees, in a shadowy vision, the Anderson couple, surrounded by a small group of children. Their own children. Earl smiles, and voices a bold blessing with confidence:

“Angela Marie Anderson, by the power and authority of the holy Melchizadek Priesthood which we hold, we seal the anointing that has taken place, and give you the blessing that you seek. In due time, you will be able to experience all of the joys of …..

Earl….Earl.

“Yes.”, Earl replies.

“What are you thinking about? You look so happy.”, his wife observes.

Earl wipes a tear from his eye. “Nothing, mother.”

“It doesn’t seem like nothing to me.”

“Just thinking.”, answers Earl.

“Your cake is ready in the kitchen.”

“Thanks mother.”

Earl gets out of his chair and heads for his desert.