This will NOT be the last time...

 I am the luckiest girl in the world! I am taking a Living Prophets class at BYU and all I get to do for this class is learn about the Prophet Thomas S. Monson. Today in class we watched his biography and every time I've seen that video I feel the love of my Savior and grow an ever deeper respect and love for my prophet. He truly is an amazing and remarkable man.

For this class my homework is to read talks given by President Monson since the time he was called to be an apostle...this will definitely not be the last post you read about me ranting about how great this class is and will not be the last time I share the material I'm reading.  While studying tonight I came across a letter, that was put in one of President Monsons talk and I just thought it was too wonderful not to share... This letter is about courage, passion, patriotism and true love. Here is possibly one of the best letters I have ever read. The man who wrote this letter was Major Sullivan Ballou, who during the American Civil War wrote this to his wife Sarah, just one week before he was killed in the Battle of Bull Run.

"July 14, 1861

Camp Clark, Washington 

My very dear Sarah,

The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days—perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.

I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. … I am … perfectly willing … to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government. …
Sarah, my love for you is deathless; it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me unresistibly on with all these chains to the battle field.

The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me—perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar, that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name. Forgive [me] my … faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have oftentimes been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness. …

But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and the unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights … always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah, do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again.^"


Here is the original talk:  http://www.lds.org/ensign/1994/05/the-path-to-peace?lang=eng