Heroes-reflecting on the past through a dream

As I begin this, I hope and pray that I can convey my thoughts and feelings into words.

This morning I woke up from a dream. Not because it was a nightmare, no, but because the impact it made on me was so great that I woke and had to write it down. After spending an hour trying to get back to sleep, I knew I just had to get up and write it here as well.

In my dream I was assigned to speak in church back in Highland. There were visitors there, not necessarily famous people, but people that hold a special place in my heart. Family, family, and well, family. And if you were wondering, family includes all of you.

The first thing I can remember in detail from this dream was the musical number before I spoke. It was "Bring Him Home" from Les Miz sung by the ward choir. I accompanied on the guitar (an amazing feat since I've been only playing for about 4 days). I believe the piano was also played.

Bring Him Home- Claude-Michel Schoenberg from Les Miz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7RESeXNHj0

It was then my turn to speak. I had a little 3x5 card in front of me as well as the music to the musical number. I approached the podium and tried to put my thoughts together about Heroes. As I watched a brother of mine sit down in the audience, I was overwhelmed.  I had prayed for him many times (making the musical number mean that much more to me) and I saw the changes in his life. I decided to share just a part of his story.

He had had a rough life, he had had many challenges. He had many setbacks as he strove daily to overcome his trials. And now I was seeing him in church, he was in a white shirt and tie, he was clean shaven, he had helped with the sacrament, and he was shining. He never gave up and the Lord never gave up on him. He was my hero.

Heroes are persistent. Heroes aren't heroes because they have things come to them easily, they are heroes because they never give up on what they believe and want even when they fail multiple times. In fact, they never fail, they just have temporary setbacks (thanks Sis. R!) Heroes overcome. That's what makes them heroes. They have strength to carry on, they look inside and find hope.

Tears filled my eyes as I spoke and looked at his beaming face in the audience. Here was a man who had endured his trials and faced his fears. Here was a hero. I remember giving him a hug and then I woke up with this song running through my head.

Hero- Mariah Carey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLFfXTwdVbY

Thoughts flooded my mind as I laid in bed thinking about what had just happened. I thought about heroes and what makes a hero a hero.Then, I got up and started writing things down.

Heroes follow their heart. And what is in their hearts? Good things. The Lord inspires men to do good. I thought of this scripture and I know that there are more... D&C 8:2 "Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart."

So many of my heroes, on my mission and off, have wanted to follow the Lord. They want to live for God. They are strong, determined, dedicated, and willing to sacrifice for what they believe in. They are courageous and achieve great things. Many give everything they have to give. They understand that when the going gets rough that they grow. They have a fire inside of them and have great endurance. They know that the real victories are one on one. They know that the Lord helps them to win. They are humble enough to let the Lord help them overcome and become better.

Who Will Be the Real Hero- Batdorf and Mclean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IuOoFWVRSg

I want to say thank you to the heroes in my life. You are many. Thank you. I have been greatly influenced my your examples. I love you and hold you in my heart. Thank you for all you do, all you have done, and all that you are. I know that the Lord has placed us in each others' paths for a reason. I know that the Lord knows us personally and will use each of us to help His other children. I know that heroes are real. People don't have to be famous to be a hero.

I want to share one last song that popped into my head this morning. I know that there is always hope. Every person has hope because of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate hero. He endured all things. He will never abandon us. He was our hero and He can help us become heroes to others. And the best way to be a hero to someone else is to point them to the Hero.

Hope in Front of Me - Danny Gokey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5GFiDdGGGM

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