The Cardon Reunion – Colonia Dublan, México

October 12, 2008

By Neil R. Cardon

By way of introduction I descend through Joseph Samuel Cardon, the oldest son of Louis Philippe Cardon and Susette Stale.  My grandfather was Joseph Elmer Cardon, the third child born to Joseph Samuel Cardon and Salina Mesenile Walker.  My father, Joseph Phillip, was the first child born to Joseph Elmer and Lucinda Hurst Cardon.  He was born December 2, 1901 here in Colonia Dublan.

Our forefathers accepted the gospel while living in Italy in 1854 and they sacrificed much; leaving their home to be with the body of the Saints in Salt Lake City.  They believed that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provided the vision to discover who they were, to realize their full potential, to be able to stand on the summit of their lives and look back upon a trail of accomplishments. 

Our grandparents never carved immortal names for themselves among the great people of the earth.  But this much is certain; they tapped some hidden resource and gave it voice.  God blessed them; and through them we are blessed.

Here we are today looking back upon their lives to express appreciation for our heritage and in so doing we acquire perspective for our present and future lives and it is good.  It is good to look upon the virtues of our grandparents, to gain strength from them so we can face what ever lies ahead of us.  It is good to reflect upon their lives and their work.  Their remarkable example is inspirational.  Thanks we give to them for remaining true while walking through testing fires.  May we in like manner walk valiantly through our own testing fires.  I pray that we may let the “fire of the covenant” that burned intensely in their hearts also burn brilliantly in our own hearts.  We need to believe as they believed.  Inheritance cannot make us great, but it can always be a foundation of inspiration and encouragement.

What a remarkable thing it is to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; a Church that molded such great heritage; that speaks of faith and courage and sacrifice.  Without sacrifice there is no true worship.  We must never lose our perspective of this.  Great sacrifice was made by our fathers in the past that brought us to where we are today.  Through their sacrifice our  lives have been fortified.  I do not know if I would have had the courage to do what they did.  They left their comfortable homes, crossed an ocean to an unfamiliar country knowing they would never return to their homeland.  They had to overcome language barriers while a shadow of uncertainty hung over them.  But, forging ahead they did not shrink from the experience.  They had great faith and profound hope in Christ as they participated in the establishment of the Church in the Promised Land and in this area of Mexico. 

Today we are not asked to give our lives or make great sacrifices as they did.  But, we  are expected to give our loyalty, our devotion, our hearts, our minds, and our strength to  establishing the cause of truth.  We must never forget their courage.  We must never do anything that will dishonor their names.  We praise our ancestors by making honorable their names which we bear.  We should never do anything that would bring embarrassment or shame to ourselves, our parents or our God.  I feel I know my grandparents through the qualities that descend from them to me.  We must always remember that we are the line through which will yet pass the character of our forbears.   A strong ancestral chain has been established and we must make certain we will not be the fragile link that will cause the chain to break.

I can’t help but think that our fore bearers are aware of what we are doing here today.  I believe that we will be aware of what our descendants will be doing after we are gone.  As we look down upon our posterity, we will share their joys and sorrows.  I believe we may have the opportunity to be ministering angels to them through the influence of the Holy Ghost as God may permit.  I feel those we honor here today have this same privilege.

We need to ask ourselves: How well are we doing?  Are we remaining “. . . True to the faith that our parents have cherished, True to the truth for which martyrs have perished, To God’s command, Soul, heart, and hand, Faithful and true we will ever stand.” ? (LDS Hymn Book, #254)

God knows and lives a quality life.  He has the fullness of joy.  Out of love for each of His children regardless of where they may live or have lived or will yet live in all of His numberless creations, He has invited all to come and enjoy the same quality of life and  fullness of joy as He does.  This we can do through living the teachings of Jesus Christ that our grandparents so nobly and obediently embraced.  This I know to be true!  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.