We had a good lesson on Immortality today led by Sis. Lin. She started her lesson with an example from her childhood. As children, she and her sister loved to play hide and seek. They were playing the game one time at a grandparents home. She had picked a good spot where her sister had a hard time finding her. When she was found, her sister asked her if she knew she had been hiding next to a coffin? The coffin was empty. Her grandparents, as several people in her village did, had prepared ahead of time by making the coffin and saving it for when they would need one. When she was told it was a coffin she jumped out and was so scared. She then was scared to go upstairs at night. Her reaction was associated with what she knew of death. The only experience she had was seeing the parade of mourners walk through their village. The parades were full of despair.
A little over a week ago, several members of our ward, along with Sister Lin, were able to attend the funeral of Bob Evans. This was her first time attending a funeral as a member and for a member of our church. She was surprised that everyone wasn't dressed in black. That the talks made you feel at peace. There was no feeling of despair. More a feeling of celebration.
What knowledge through our makes these two experiences different?
President Smith taught that "while some believe that when we pass from this sphere of existence, that is the end. It seems incredible to me, when we look into the works of nature, when we investigate the organism of man, the perfection of his body, the pulsation of his heart, the building and strengthening from childhood to manhood, then the gradual decline until this life is ended--that it is possible any of our Father's children can believe that human beings have been born into the world only to live to manhood and womanhood, pass to old age, and die, without some purpose in their having lived here".
Sister Lin shared a story from the book "The Divine Promise of Hope" by Gerald N. Lund. Elizabeth Jackson was a pioneer. Her husband died one night right next to her. She had to sleep next to him until morning until someone could help bury him. She says, "I will not attempt to describe my feelings at finding myself thus left a widow with three children, under such excruciating circumstances. I cannot do it. But I believe my sufferings for the Gospel's sake will be sanctified unto me for my good". Another sister said that Elizabeth Jackson was one of her relatives and spoke of her journals. Her journal stated that the gospel was worth sacrificing for. She didn't complain of her experiences. There is joy in the gospel.
One sister spoke of her experience of losing her father at a young age. She was sad to think of her dad not sharing in the lives of her children. But, as time passed, she realized how fast it does pass. She knows she needs to do what she can to stay worthy to be with him again.
How does this knowledge help us make choices in this life?
"Oh how sad we would be if we thought that death terminated our career. If, when our life's labor on earth was finished, we had no opportunity to go on developing, there would be little to inspire us to live as we should here. The knowledge that all the good we accomplish here, and all the development we make, will enhance our happiness eternally, encourages us to do our best."
"We may have given to us, in this life, a few things that will give us satisfaction, temporally; but the things that are eternal, the things that are worth while, are those eternal things that we reach out for, and prepare ourselves to receive, and lay hold of by the effort that we individually make."
Sister Lin talked of how busy our lives are. We have so many responsibilities. We need to prioritize the important things in life, like our eternal worth. This life is not the end. When we seek those things that are most important we will be able to live with Heavenly Father again.
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