Our Tapestry
by Tamara Ellsworth Francis
In September of 2024, my husband and I were walking the shores of Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. The sky was overcast, promising a cooler morning. The waves were soothing, with seagulls making their presence known. The uniform scores of rows upon rows of milky white crosses arrayed upon the velvety green field left an imprint on my heart as we entered the cemetery. The memorial and the whole expanse had a sacredness to it that left one in awe of the lives sacrificed to liberate Europe. There was a considerable heaviness felt of such a great price for peace. We ended that day by visiting the Bayoux Cathedral and stopped by to visit the world’s longest tapestry, 224 feet long, which is a chronological history of the Normans’ conquest of England in the 11th century (The Bayeux Tapestry, 1898). The needlecraft of blue, gold, and terracotta, together with green woolen threads intricately stitched, provided evidence of war, death, and love, and even included what was thought to be Halley’s Comet in the detail.
As I pondered so much of the history that had been evidenced in one day, I reflected on just how many people have ever lived on Earth. The Population Reference Bureau (2025) suggested that approximately 117 billion people have journeyed here, with more than eight billion people living here on this earth right here, right now. People are coming, and people are going.
This brings me to something my mom said three years ago as she was on her way out of this life. In a moment of lucidity, she looked at us and said, “We’re building an eternity quilt,” and then she softly whispered, “The things I have taught you are true.” Imagine the tapestry of 117 billion people whose lives are all woven together by an eternal plan, each known and loved by heavenly parents who are aware of every single detail in the lives of each of their children. The complexity of mortal choices intricately plaited, crisscrossed, and inner knitted together with the merciful redeeming love of the Savior of the world available for all 117 billion souls who have sojourned or are presently journeying is almost beyond comprehension. Each and every prayer uttered is heard and answered in the way Heavenly Father knows will help each individual in the very best way. This I know as one of the 117 billion; I pray, and I receive sweet confirming answers. I am known, I am loved, and I have felt that love flow through my soul. Each day, I personally ask Heavenly Father to let me know what I need to improve on in my journey and, believe me when I say, He is listening. I recommend this practice. I promise He is there, and He loves His children.
As a junior in high school in 1976, I witnessed my American History teacher, Mr. Kelly, from Ajo, Arizona, stand in front of our American History class and explain what happened on Omaha Beach on D-Day. I remember watching this grown gentleman barely even able to speak of that experience with tears rolling down his face because he was there during that part of the world’s tapestry. He was still just a kid right out of high school while watching his friends die with the many heavy casualties that day in France. He was still brokenhearted 32 years later. No wonder we have a book in the bible called Lamentations. It wasn’t Halley’s comet but during an evening walk a few years ago, we had a panoramic view of Four Peaks and the Superstition Mountains, as we rounded the trail and happened to look out into the distance we saw a giant green meteor streak through the East making a manifestation to my soul that Heavenly Father is aware of my journey on the tapestry.
One of my dad’s favorite scriptures comes from a revelation given to Joseph Smith the prophet in 1832, “Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed you; succor the weak, lift up the lift up hands that hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees” (Doctrine and Covenants 81:5). As we build our eternity quilts and as we find those along our journey who have experienced their D-Days, let us be a shining light testifying of the Love of God for all his children.
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
(This Little Light of Mine, 2025)
Works Cited:
The Bayeux tapestry. G. Bell & Sons, 1898, https://doi.org/10.5479/sil.103749.39088002392017.
Population Reference Bureau, “How Many People Have Ever Lived on Earth”, Accessed April 3, 2025. https://www.prb.org/articles/how-many-people-have-ever-lived-on-earth/
Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1981.
“Waterlogue”. Image by the author taken at the Normandy American Cemetery, September 16, 2024. Author’s collection.
“This Little Light of Mine.” The Hymnal of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, p. 1028.