Tag Archive for: death

Life is Finite

You can look at it in lots of different ways.
An average life span is 76.9 years.
That’s 4,000 weeks.
Or 28,000 days.
Or consider even – 672,000 hours.
I’m rapidly approaching my 60th birthday, which means I only have around 882 weeks to go or 6,174 days!
Not too long really, some of us will get a little more, some a little less.
Thinking about things like this in purely numerical terms can certainly change your perspective about a few things.
Dr Seuss – “How did it get so late, so fast!”
Yes – our mortal lives are finite, a time of learning, growth, challenges and development.
James 4:14 – “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away.”
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 #𝟏 – each of us will die.
Our earth life is brief, yet crucial for each of us, as we prepare for eternal life beyond deaths door.
Death is part of life.
Beyond death, immortality and eternal life awaits.
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 #𝟐 – each of us will live again.
Eternal Life is infinite.
“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” – 1 Corinthians 15:22
As Easter approaches, my thoughts are returning to the infinite atonement of our Saviour Jesus Christ, providing resurrection from the dead and immortal life for all of mankind.
Because of Him, to all those who have lost loved ones, I wish to assure you that there is indeed life after life, death is not the end – it’s a doorway.
“Life does not begin with birth, nor does it end with death. We are eternal beings… God’s plan for His children includes not only mortal life, but also life beyond.” – Russell M. Nelson.
I find great comfort and reassurance in the great plan of salvation, a perfect plan which helps us to find our way back home to God, who gave us life.
Life is finite, but His love and plan are infinite.
So, with whatever time remains, how will you choose to live it – and what truly matters most to you as you journey home?

He Lives!

Today is 𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈.
On that first Easter Morning, the tomb was emptied and we find hope and great peace in the words of the angel “He is not here: for he is 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒏, as he said.” (Matt. 28:6).
We commemorate the greatest of all events in the history of mankind — the breaking of the bonds of death by Him who is the eternal Son of the living God.
I cannot remember a time that I did not believe in Jesus Christ.
It seems that the reality of His life, His death, and His resurrection has always been a real part of me.
Raised in Scotland, I was brought up in a home by parents who followed Jesus Christ.
They believed in and regularly shared their testimonies of Him and strived to follow Him – always.
I have always been grateful for that.
In our Missionary Zone Conferences this week, I spoke about Jesus Christ, His Atonement and resurrection and the impact His life has for all mankind.
In the Conferences, I shared one story about my Nana.

Nana’s story

I told them about the funeral service of my Nana, who died at the age of 94, in 1998.
As a young newly called Bishop in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it was the first funeral service that I had ever conducted.
I recall that jokingly, Nana would often say, that when the time came, she wanted me to conduct her service – and so it was.
At her funeral service, I shared a letter she sent me whilst I served as a missionary in London in 1984.
In it, Nana refers to her own belief…
“God will bless you son, for taking his word to many. I always feel so very sorry for those who do not believe, they miss so very much and in this world. He is the only one we can hold on to…. I still love my Lord and know He is always with me to bless and guide me. To me He is everything and I know He is to you also. May He bless and keep you safe till I see you again.”

The Ultimate Question

Job asked the ultimate question “If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14)
Like so many others, I believe the answer to Job’s question is a resounding YES!
Some in the Christian world doubt the reality of a universal resurrection, however Latter-day Saints believe and declare that Jesus was resurrected to a tangible, glorified body of flesh and bones (see Luke 24:3 and 3 Nephi 11:1-15). And because of Him, and his victory over the grave, all mankind have the promise of our own resurrection.
Because of what happened in the tomb that first Easter morning, one day all of us will arise from our graves. The we will set aside our own burial clothes, just as Christ did and be reunited with family and friends who have already passed through the gateway we call death. It will be a happy and glorious
reunion.
I know that Jesus Christ is the living witness, that this is so and so can you too.

He is Risen

Gran to the left.
Nana to the right.
A little 2 year old me, in the middle.
I am so grateful for the many sweet memories.
Death takes loved ones from us.
It has been many years, since both have passed away.
But,… I am comforted to know, that through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, two millennia ago, resurrection is a reality for all of us.
The Apostle Paul said this to the people of Corinth…
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures; and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the Twelve. After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.
Each recurring Easter is a constant reminder that reinforces this eternal truth, that He lives!
“He is not here: 𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐧.” See Matthew 28:6.
Because our Redeemer lives so shall we.
I know that He lives. And you can know too.
I look forward to a happy reunion, with Gran, Nana, Dad, Jack, Joyce, Ronnie, Violet and the many other beloved relatives and dear friends who have already passed through the gateway we call death.
Why is the existence of a resurrected God so important to all of mankind?

What is of greatest worth?

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮?
It’s a question that often crosses my mind.
For a large portion of my adult life, I have been an ordained minister of religion.
As such, I have met with many people who in their older years were preparing to depart this life and pass through “the gateway we call death” – Russell M. Nelson.
I treasure the many sweet memories that I’ve been blessed to have with family members and dear friends who have already passed beyond the veil of death.

Family and Faith

Visiting with those in the closing days of life, we’d frequently reminisce about those things of greatest worth, namely, family, friends, experiences and ultimately for many, their faith in and encounters with Jesus Christ.
Cherished family experiences and special tender moments are shared in a very intimate manner.
Truths are shared lovingly and freely.
Special insights, sweet stories, incredible experiences, along with miracles and wonders are commonplace, as the individual approaches death’s door and shares what matters most.
During those tender moments, attentively listening, loving, caring, sharing, spending time and being fully present is key.
A multitude of moments have been etched into my memory, in turn enriching my experience of life.

Scriptures

In my personal study of the scriptures, I have found great comfort in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon.
Reading the final chapters of Nephi (2 Nephi 33), Jacob (Jacob 7), Mormon (Mormon 7) and Moroni (Moroni 10) – these remarkable prophet/writers provide some insights into those things that may be of greatest worth to all of us.
Each of them shared a similar experience in their lives’, namely they all had a personal experience with Jesus Christ.
And so, fittingly perhaps, their closing words recorded in the final chapters of their respective books, give us a deep, meaningful look into their hearts, minds and very souls.
Moroni 10:32 “Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.”
Moroni’s testimony and invitation to “come unto Christ” is a powerful and enduring one that has impacted generations of people the world over.
Like so many others, I hope that each of us will have faith in and encounter Jesus Christ in our life.
What is of greatest worth to you?

Sweet Reunions

𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 were aplenty this week.
Last Sunday evening Megan arrived. The next day we travelled to Brussels together to attend the BYU Ballroom Dancing Company. It had been several weeks since she was last in the Netherlands.
As we travelled together, it was great to catch up and share stories with one another, about how similar we are. Then came a funny coincidence, as without any coordination mother and daughter dressed for the evening and realised that they had both chosen almost identical outfits for the show.
See the picture evidence above!
The evening brought another sweet reunion.
Moroni Wright who had served in the Belgium Netherlands Mission and returned home several months ago, was one of the many talented performers in the BYU Ballroom Dancing Company. The show was amazing, and what a delight it was to see Moroni again and catch up with him once more. It was especially pleasing to see him living his dream, as he longed for the opportunity to perform in this dance company.
And our third sweet reunion was with Kiera and her husband Brendan – who we met for the first time.
It had been several years since our last encounter together. Kiera had become a wonderful friend with Megan, when she was studying in Arizona, in 2016. What a joy it was to see them, share stories together and feel of their love.

Reunions are special

Reunions are special, they are built on love for one another.
Travelling along our own pathway in life, let’s not forget those family and friends who have passed through the gateway to the next life that we call death. I hope that we can turn our hearts to them who have gone on ahead of us. They are not dead, their spirits live on, on the other side of the veil.
In a not-too-distant time there will be a sweet reunion for each and every one of us. We need not look upon death as an enemy.
I was reminded of that this week too, as I walked through the sprawling cemeteries in Ipres, with vast numbers of the dead from WW1.
In Malachi 4:6 we read: “And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”
We can begin our own quest for forever families, by considering our ancestors and coming to know them through online tools such as Family Search.
Then take some time to understand why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has so many Temples around the world. In them, families are united forever. Our missionaries can help explain this further to you.
Sweet reunions await us all.