9/11: I'll Never Forget

I'll never forget 
being in the Taylor building for my early morning class at 8:00.  I walked out like usual afterward and enjoyed the somewhat warm weather Rexburg had to offer at that time.  Headed across campus to the main hub building, the MC {student center} to study until my next class.

I'll never forget
 the TV's were on.  This wasn't unusual-they were always broadcasting the news-but this time it was different. It was showing the twin towers engulfed in smoke.  This was maybe 20 minutes after it happened. Everyone was frozen.  The entire building-which was usually active, loud, and full of energy-was eerily quiet.  Just the sound of CNN and other news reports.

I'll never forget
 feeling panicked. And scared. And not totally understanding what was going on.  And feeling like I needed to be home with my parents.  Somewhere safer than far away from them.

I'll never forget
 walking back to my apartment and waking up Liz and other roommates to show them what was happening on tv.  Crying together.  Calling our parents.  Feeling so uncertain.  Mourning for those who were just now realizing the lives they had lost.  Worrying about our nation.  Being more aware than ever before of how naive & mostly ignorant I'd been growing up.

I'll never forget

 hearing President Hinckley give an address soon after.  His words were so comforting: "You are acutely aware of the events of September 11, less than a month ago. Out of that vicious and ugly attack we are plunged into a state of war. It is the first war of the 21st century. The last century has been described as the most war-torn in human history. Now we are off on another dangerous undertaking, the unfolding of which and the end thereof we do not know. For the first time since we became a nation, the United States has been seriously attacked on its mainland soil. But this was not an attack on the United States alone. It was an attack on men and nations of goodwill everywhere. It was well planned, boldly executed, and the results were disastrous. It is estimated that more than 5,000 innocent people died. Among these were many from other nations. It was cruel and cunning, an act of consummate evil.

Now, brothers and sisters, we must do our duty, whatever that duty might be. Peace may be denied for a season. Some of our liberties may be curtailed. We may be inconvenienced. We may even be called on to suffer in one way or another. But God our Eternal Father will watch over this nation and all of the civilized world who look to Him. He has declared, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Ps. 33:12). Our safety lies in repentance. Our strength comes of obedience to the commandments of God.

Let us be prayerful. Let us pray for righteousness. Let us pray for the forces of good. Let us reach out to help men and women of goodwill, whatever their religious persuasion and wherever they live. Let us stand firm against evil, both at home and abroad. Let us live worthy of the blessings of heaven, reforming our lives where necessary and looking to Him, the Father of us all. He has said, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10).

Are these perilous times? They are. But there is no need to fear. We can have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes. We can be an influence for good in this world, every one of us.

May the God of heaven, the Almighty, bless us, help us, as we walk our various ways in the uncertain days that lie ahead. May we look to Him with unfailing faith. May we worthily place our reliance on His Beloved Son who is our great Redeemer, whether it be in life or in death."

I'll never forget 
the day the busiest city in the U.S. stopped to take care of their own or the faces of the survivors being carried by firemen who became true heroes that day.  I'll also never forget the way America came together in the days after, being beaten and bruised, but stronger than ever.

I'll never forget.