I have been doing a lot of reflecting on the consequences of choices. I have gone through the repentance process and experienced the amazing joys and peace that is brought by the atonement. However, once repentance is complete, all consequences are not removed. At times, there are eternal consequences for our choices. These consequences that are natural in this life, effect us personally, and often the eternal lives of those we love the most. Consequences allow us to experience both sorrow and joy in this life.

This evening, I got a reminder that there are consequences of eternal nature for all choices in life. I received an email this evening from a young man named Cameron Hiler.

I met Craig,  on a hot July day in 2000, after a long day of tracting.  He was the only one home at the time, and had us confused with the Amish. Hard to believe considering my long hair that obviously was styled. We taught him about Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon on his porch step, as well as our belief in electricity. Unfortunately, his wife, Olivia was out jogging at the time. We scheduled an appointment to return later that week. We had a less active ditch us the following day, and decided to drop in on the Hiler family, we really wanted to teach a lesson. We arrived to find the entire family at home, Craig, Olivia, Cameron (4 years old), and Rachel (2 years old).

I stand amazed that I was able to witness the conversion of Craig and Olivia. They felt the Spirit of the Lord and progressed to baptism thru false teachings of a baptist minister, personal injury, loss of all income, and every type of anti Mormon propaganda. From the moment we met them the adversary was doing all he could to keep them from the Gospel. The Lord was in charge, and placed the correct people in the correct place, at the correct time. Even bringing a sister from Temple Square to our area on the exact day we needed more knowledge of the stars on the Salt Lake Temple. The Lord is in the details of life.  I am grateful the Lord trusted me to deliver the message of the Gospel, and witness the conversion of these two great people. It was not an easy road. The adversary truly did not want them to receive the Gospel. Craig took to the Gospel like fire! He asked me all the time, "where were you 10 years ago?" Olivia took a lot more love, guidance and time.

Craig and Olivia were baptized on October 1, 2000. They took out their endowment and were sealed as an eternal family in the Michigan Detroit Temple in October 2001.  Many of the missionaries that were blessed to be yoked with the Lord during their conversion were there to witness the amazing event. Unfortunately, I was in Hawaii and did not have the money for a flight to Michigan. Craig noted later that there was a single seat left in the session, I ached to be there.

In the course of the years, I stayed in touch with them. Life lead them from Michigan to Idaho. They visited me here in Arizona once in 2007. In October 2010, I went to spend the week at my families ranch. I began calling Craig, as we had planned to try to meet up. It had been too long since I last enjoyed their company.  I was at the airport, on my way, each time I called no answer. This was highly unlike Craig, he rarely did not answer. Some how I missed two calls back from his number. However, it was his wife who left a voice mail. I worried, but did not want to think the worst. Upon arriving in Idaho Falls, I learned that my dear friend Craig had passed away unexpectedly of an enlarged heart.

Instead of trying to arrange meeting up, I was trying to attend a funeral. His funeral was an eye opening experience of choices in life. I was reunited with my companion, one of the Elders in my district, the member family that helped fellowship, and met many of the people in Craig's life.

His funeral was a moment of recognizing the eternal consequences of choices made, and the rippled effect. It wasn't long before Olivia pointed Sister Meyers and I out as their missionaries. We soon found ourselves being approached by strangers telling us how Craig had hunted them down on more than one occasion to tell them to get back to church. Many had been reactivated because of the love and consistency of Craig and his testimony of the Gospel. The stories of the work he was able to accomplish made it more apparent why the adversary fought so hard to keep him from the Gospel.  I left in awe of this amazing individual that the Lord trusted to use me an His instrument, and how important it was that I was being obedient on my mission.

After the funeral, I went to dinner with the other missionaries and the member family. It was wonderful to remember the moments that bonded us together more than 10 years ago. We all expressed concern about what would happen with the family now. Olivia struggled, and Craig was the anchor in the Gospel for the family. We were especially concerned for Cameron (15) and Rachel (11). We would do our best to stay in touch and support them in the Gospel the best we could.

It is now almost 3 years later. I miss my dear brother in the Gospel greatly. The last conversation I had with him was in August 2010. He had called to talk because he was concerned that he was going less active. Which caused me concern, as we talked, he revealed he felt he was less active because his scripture study was the least effective it had ever been. That was it, less effective scripture study.  He lived the Gospel to the fullest.

Cameron Hiler turned 18 years old today. He emailed to tell me he has his papers, and is working on getting them submitted. He hopes to have his mission call by August. My heart leaped with joy, and I did a giddy little happy dance! How proud his Dad would be of this decision. I am so proud of his decision.

I never ceased to be amazed at how the Lord works. I know that if I had not been obedient, I would not have been prepared, nor would I have been blessed by the Lord to experience witnessing the conversion of this family. There were so many sacred experiences shared within the walls of their home, and to think the Lord trusted me to be there.  He saw within me someone He trusted to be led by the Spirit because I was being obedient. If my companion and I had not prayed to be directed to the street we should tract that July day, we would have missed them.  If we had not been doing what we should when we should, how would life have been altered. I am so grateful for the Lord allowing me to experience such blessings. The Lord is in the details. All choices have consequences. I am so grateful for the atonement, and for the Gospel.