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My spiritual thoughts from Boston's Marathon Monday

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(I am sorry if this post is all over the place. Sometimes I struggle to organize my thoughts)


On April 15th 2013 the City of Boston was in an abundance of joy. The famous "marathon monday" (Patriot's Day) had finally arrived. As usual the streets were lined for 26.2 miles from Hopkington, MA all the way down to Boylston St, in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. I went out early with a few of my friends to cheer on the elitests as the turned onto Boylston St. We wandered around and took in the atmosphere and all was well. Or so we thought.

After the elitests crossed the finish line, we (a group of my friends and myself) decided to make T-shirts for one of our friends that was supposed to be running.

After spending what seemed like forever in my apartment, crafting, we were almsot ready to hit the streets again and head towards the finish line. Just 10 minutes before we were going to head out, two loud "bangs" about 10 or so seconds apart were heard. It almost sounded as if somebody was outside punching the metal door to my fire escape. We didn't think much of it and proceeded to get ready. Following this, one of my friends received a text message from a friend at the finish line. It's message:
"Bombs at Marathon, we ran."

confused by this, we just shook our heads and thought "Nah, that would never happen".
We were wrong.

Several news sources confirmed this and we were stuck. In my apartment unable to move, to act, to think.

It was shortly there after that I began to send out messages of my own, I needed to know my friends and loved ones were safe. One of my close friends was injured. She had been close by the first explosion and something had gone through her leg, leaving her with a fractured shin, a fractured heel and a blown eardrum.

Me and 2 of my other friends were ready to find her. Once we found her hospital location we headed out the door, but first the 7 people in my apartment decided to kneel in prayer. Because we had a priesthood holder with us, we asked him to offer it. As we prayed, although I was in tears and extremely worried, The Holy Spirit was with me as a comforter.

Through out the rest of the week as Boston waited as a city, for a name, a face, something to answer our question of "Who is responsible and why would they do this in a place like Boston?"

Vigils were held throughout the city and I was asked to share something at the vigil at my school Suffolk University. After prayerfully pondering what I could say, I decided to share a quote from Dieter F. Utchdorf of the first Presidency from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. From a talk given in the 2013, April general conference.

This was the quote:
"There may be some among you who feel darkness encroaching upon you. You may feel burdened by worry, fear, or doubt. To you and to all of us, I repeat a wonderful and certain truth: God’s light is real. It is available to all! It gives life to all things. It has the power to soften the sting of the deepest wound. It can be a healing balm for the loneliness and sickness of our souls. In the furrows of despair, it can plant the seeds of a brighter hope. It can enlighten the deepest valleys of sorrow. It can illuminate the path before us and lead us through the darkest night into the promise of a new dawn."

This quote to me, was so incredibly fitting for the situation because although contrary to what outsiders may think, I have seen this light. The first responders at the marathon, the police officers, fire department, civilians all rushed to the scene to help those in need. This light spoken about by President Utchdort is real and it shines through the city daily. Everyone came out to show their love for those around. The wounds are deep and the pain we felt and continue to feel has already started healing because of the love from God throughout this city. I met a woman on the street recently who although was not religious at all, unknowingly carried the light of Christ with her. From talking to her, I could tell she had been through a lot with this tragedy but a hopeful glow came shining through her eyes.

Many people do not understand religion and that is ok. I know the Lord will bless them because Heavenly Father loves us all unconditionally.  People have been asking me, how can you be religious after all that has happened? What God would do this?

My response: How could I NOT be religious after all that has happened? It is through my faith I have been able to keep going. Nobody ever promised that this life would be easy, trials and tribulations fall upon all of us. However, if we keep the faith, one day our trials will cease and we will have peace. I know this is true. Heavenly Father loves me, and he loves you unconditionally. Never be afraid to talk with Him. He wants to hear from you, I know he does. We are Boston Strong.

I leave these thoughts with you in the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.

Attached are some pictures from Boston, rebuilding.
The Prudential "One Boston"

Notes left at the blockade

A very empty Boylston street.








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