I wrote this when Jonathan was baptized.
A couple months ago, Jonathan’s reading group at school read the book, Call it Courage. He read a chapter a day aloud to me.
During the holidays I played a game called Apples to Apples. My brother drew the card with the word "Courage" and I submitted a blank card where I could choose what event, person or trait would describe “Courage”. So, it's been on my mind for a few months now.
The most courageous event in the history of mankind? Hands down, the life and atonement of Jesus Christ. The most courageous thing in an individual’s life? After thinking about it here and there for a while, I think it’s trying to find out what God would have one do and doing it.
I recently read an autobiography written by my great-great-great grandfather, Daniel Webster Jones. While reading I kept thinking, “Why in the world didn’t this guy just leave the church?" It seemed to me he had every justifiable reason. My sister’s review of the book describe my thoughts well, “A powerful story of loyalty to God and His church when it may have seemed at various times, that both had abandoned him.” He had found God's restored gospel wherein were covenants that could outlast the grave and he wasn’t about to give it up for anything.
Other examples of courage to me would be the newly clean addict fighting mind and body to leave the past behind. The lady who attends church despite none of the other ladies being willing to sit by her. The elderly man who lovingly cares for his physically and mentally aging wife despite being in poor health himself. The book, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte describes it well for me. “Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigor ... If at my convenience I might break them, what would be their worth?”
Jonathan was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday March 1, 2014. I pray that a loving Heavenly Father will send his Spirit to touch the heart of this boy, His son. My prayer for Jonathan is that he will do his best to keep his part of this covenant. To stand as a witness of God, bear burdens, lighten loads, comfort those that stand in need of comfort and that he will strive to take the name of Jesus Christ upon him throughout his life. When he falls short, I hope and pray that he will have whatever it takes to get back up and start over. Gumption, fortitude, tenacity, audacity, wherewithal - I'll call it courage.
