Daffodils are the perfect flower. They are the happiest color, deer-proof, and have a built-in trumpet that seems to announce Be of good cheer! Last summer I bought a dress in London simply because it was “daffodil yellow.” You may have also seen me on my stomach in the Draper Temple parking lot attempting to capture the consummate temple/daffodil shot.

I spent my childhood in Missouri and worshipped in an LDS chapel built by local members. A giant Harry Anderson “Mary and the Resurrected Lord” painting hung in the Relief Society room. In the foreground, prominently placed, was a cluster of daffodils. I must have gazed at those daffodils a thousand times, waiting for my mom to finish talking with her friends so we could leave. Surely daffodils witnessed the miracle of Christ’s resurrection. Maybe their built-in trumpets were proclaiming Have hope! He is risen!, Don’t give up! He is risen!, or This isn’t final because He is risen!

Given my deep love for daffodils, they have always been a sign between me and Heavenly Father. Whenever I see a daffodil, I offer a silent prayer of thanks for my Savior, for being noticed, and for the tender mercies in my life. I can’t be too sad with a daffodil nearby.

Shortly after we moved to Suncrest, I went—reluctantly—to the Relief Society spring gardening activity. It was the worst possible night for me to attend, for several reasons:

We were leaving for vacation the following morning.

1. The laundry wasn’t done.
2. No one was packed.
3. We had almost no food left.
4. I’m not a gardener.
5. I was very grumpy, as Greg can attest, since I’m at my worst the day before vacation.

The cherry on top was an impromptu Suncrest-blizzard that hit just as I parked. I sat through the rotating classes as a non-participant, stewing about my unfortunate life. Then they closed with a raffle. One by one, sisters won outdoor thermometers, shade plants, spades, and gardening gloves. The last prize was hoisted like a trophy for all to see: a potted daffodil. In the back row with my bad attitude, my antennae went up. Daffodils! Be of good cheer! He is risen! Have hope! I am known! My heart softened, and I silently prayed, “Heavenly Father, I’m going to win those beautiful daffodils, aren’t I? You love me even though I’m being a grouch. Help me to be less grouchy and more thankful.” Yes, I won the daffodils.

So please borrow my sign. Let daffodils forever remind you of the reason we all have something to cheer about! Heavenly Father sent us His Son, Jesus Christ, who understands every minute we live through and its mood. He is real, He conquered death, He is our Advocate, He is our Friend. Of this I am sure.