The Greatest Love on Earth by Mary Ellen Dennis

It has been my experience that periodically life’s circumstances force us to stop and think about just what we do need to be happy. Maybe you have learned the same-that money never goes as far as you want it to, that you just cannot get enough of what you do not need, and that it is not possible to buy happiness at a store or through a catalog. I remember thinking I would be able to do so much with all of that money. I began to learn this when I was just 14 and earned my first paycheck. Would you begin to ponder in your minds those things that are most precious to you and see if you reach the same conclusion as my friend-that the things of greatest worth are things that money cannot buy. In other words, the whats, whys, and hows. Today I want to talk about what those treasures are, why we seek them, and how we can obtain them. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal īut lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.

Ironically, those things that were of greatest value to her-things that money could not buy-were returned.Ī scripture we have read many, many times in 3 Nephi says: Though it was inconvenient and costly, she was able to replace everything the thieves took.

But to her delight and relief, all of her personal papers and passport had been undisturbed. Everything that was valuable by the world’s standards-the money, the credit cards, and anything else that could be hocked-was gone. By nearly miraculous circumstances, a few days later her briefcase was recovered. Among other things, the thieves took her attaché, which contained everything from her cell phone and PalmPilot to a personal journal, some other sensitive papers, and her passport. I have a good friend whose car was vandalized just a few days before Christmas. I love you and pray for you and have confidence in you. You were truly sent “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). I believe you are some of the most outstanding young people who have ever lived on this earth. Thank you for your righteousness, for your valiant stand against the forces that would pull you under, and for your desire to be the person our Father in Heaven would have you be. I am humbled by the opportunity to speak to each of you this evening.

The Greatest Love on Earth by Mary Ellen Dennis