Holding On to the Vision of Eternity

Cambodia has gone through many tragic civil wars. I was born right after the conflicts ended. Life was difficult and food was scarce as my parents struggled to raise eight children. At times, I wondered what my future could possibly hold under such conditions.

In1998, my life changed when I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was baptized one year before finishing high school. Lacking the financial means to attend college, I chose to serve a full-time mission. While serving, my spiritual eyes were opened. I came to understand God’s eternal plan for His children and how I could prepare to establish an eternal family of my own.

The spiritual truths of the restored gospel allowed me to know that one day I would marry in the temple and be sealed to my wife and children forever. I pictured us going to church together, singing hymns together, studying the gospel together, and one day sending my children on missions and then seeing them start their own families sealed in holy temples. What a beautiful vision I had for our family. I hope everyone has this kind of vision.

My dream began to be fulfilled in 2005, when I was sealed to a lovely woman in the Hong Kong China Temple. Since then, the eternal path has become clearer. The Lord has blessed us with five energetic sons.

Although the vision of eternity is beautiful, the journey has not been easy. Balancing responsibilities as a stake president, factory manager, and father of five active boys is overwhelming. Our sons are full of energy—always running, climbing, and wrestling. They often break things, spill food, and turn the house upside down. One day, while my wife and I were busy, they blocked the kitchen sink, let water overflow onto the tiled floor, added soap to slide back and forth, and proudly said, “We are building a swimming pool!”

Family scripture study can be challenging as the boys tease each other and test our patience. On Sundays, while I sit on the stand, my wife manages the children in the audience. They crawl under benches, tug at people’s legs, and sometimes shout or cry loudly. My wife often feels embarrassed and worn out. One day she said to me, “I want to feel the spirit and learn something. But most of the time when I go to church, I don’t learn anything and feel frustrated with our children. Sometimes I wonder why we keep going.”

At such moments, I think of Lehi’s journey in the wilderness. They had numerous problems, but the Lord promised, “I will also be your light in the wilderness . . . inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land.” Families united in faith may struggle, but the Lord always leads them forward.

King Benjamin counseled parents to “Teach [your children] to walk in the ways of truth and soberness . . . to love one another, and to serve one another.” The Lord also commanded us to “Bring up your children in light and truth.” These teachings sustain us when family life feels overwhelming.

The blessings of perseverance became clear one day when my oldest son spoke at stake conference. He said, “As a priesthood holder, I will use my priesthood to bless others, just like my dad does.” My eyes filled with tears of joy. I understood why we keep going, even when it is hard. Today he is serving faithfully in the Madrid South Spain Mission. His younger brothers prepare and pass the sacrament each week. Our second son is preparing to serve a mission soon.

President Russell M. Nelson has said, “Our family is the focus of our greatest work and joy in this life; so will it be throughout all eternity, when we can ‘inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, . . . powers, dominions . . . exaltation and glory.” That promise gives me strength to keep teaching and leading my family to church and the temple.

My wife and I have continued going to church week after week, even with noisy and restless children. Because we strive to keep the gospel at the center of our home, I can now see the fruits of those efforts. I see them in my sons who worthily pass the sacrament, in my missionary son who serves faithfully with joy, and in the growing testimonies of our younger children. The Lord has shown me that every sacrifice, every weary Sunday, and every family scripture study is worth it, because His gospel truly blesses families.

I know that when families worship together at church, they invite the Spirit into their home, strengthen their unity, and grow closer to Christ. The Lord promises increased love, peace, and protection. Their covenants are renewed, and children are nurtured in faith, securing blessings now and for eternity. If we continue to embrace the gospel in our family, the Lord will magnify our efforts. Just as “the Lord of the vineyard labored” with his servants, the Savior will help us through our struggles toward eternity with hope and joy. ■