Wherever I look I see tears—tears that bespeak loss and pain; tears that mark helplessness and powerlessness. Apparently tears make good TV and headlines—at least that’s how it seems when I scan the headlines.

Some of the tears could be yours; some are mine. Since we lost Paradise, tears have been a constant element of our emotional repertoire—a father grieving for his son who has left the heavenly Father’s embrace to wander the dark side of the city; a friend who mourns the loss of his young daughter; parents crying for an unborn child or a devastating diagnosis; orphans in the midst of a war. Tears are omnipresent in our world.

I am sick and tired of tears. I long for the end of all tears. That brings me to the theme of next year’s General Conference session in San Antonio: “Arise! Shine! Jesus Is Coming!” I am sure people in San Antonio shed their fair share of tears. Wouldn’t it be nice if they could say after July 12 of next year, “No more tears”? While I hope that our presence in Texas will not simply represent a boost to the local economy, I guess there will be tears following our departure. Even our best efforts can only dry tears and embrace those crying. We need more.

Twice John describes how God will deal with tears. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Rev. 7:17; 21:4) echoes Isaiah 25:8 and goes hand in hand with the death of death. Can you see the Father carefully wiping tears streaming from your eyes as He embraces you? In fact, it seems to me that I can see a furtive tear in the Father’s eye as He surveys those who have accepted His invitation to return home—no more tears; no more death; no more pain.

I am sick and tired of tears.