Recently, my thoughts have been
turned to family. Many of my friends
have and are preparing to get married.
My sister and cousin recently had a baby, another cousin’s wife is expecting
a child, another cousin got married, and one more is preparing for his ensuing
marital agreement. These are all
momentous occasions that have caused my family to come closer together. Naturally, I enjoy family get-togethers more
now because there’s less time for everyone to mock me when they’re admiring a
newborn baby boy. I also enjoy the
opportunity to see relatives that live far away and that I don’t get to visit
with very often. Hanging out with
friends is fun and enjoyable, but nothing can ever really compare to spending
time with your family. But this is
exactly what these happenings have drawn my thoughts to: spending time with my family. However, I’m not talking about just getting
together and having dinner or watching a movie.
Putting a question mark after “The
end” is a terrible way to end a movie and a rather obvious, classless way to
tell the audience you’re planning on shooting a sequel granted the current one
makes enough money. However, as members
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we put a question mark
after “The End.” I’m not talking about
Mormon cinematography, either. If you
have ever attended an LDS funeral service, you will understand what I mean, but
for those who haven’t, I will try to
paint the picture of what we believe, how it makes us feel, and maybe that will
explain why there’s always a big, happy luncheon afterwards with more types of
Jell-O and casserole than there is barbeque sauce in my house(Just kidding,
there is NO explanation for a mormon’s fascination with Jell-O and casserole).
First, I’d like to reiterate our 3rd
article of faith which states, “We believe that through the atonement of
Christ, all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the
gospel.” I believe I’ve addressed the
atonement and the gospel in previous posts.
Ordinances include Baptism by the proper authority, receiving the gift
of the Holy Ghost by that same authority, and the sacrament. One of the ordinances we perform necessary
for salvation is marriage. When we marry
in the temple, we are sealed to our spouse past death and on to eternity. Any children
born prior to the union can be
sealed to their parents and any children born after are automatically linked. My parents were married in the temple, and
therefore, I know that if they, my siblings, and I continue to keep the
promises we’ve made with God, we can live together forever as a family.
My parents’ parents have also been
sealed, and so have their parents, and so on.
Joseph Smith was given the authority by Elijah so that, as Jesus Christ
put it, “Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven” (Matthew
16:13-19) With this ability, we can help
our loved ones that have died earlier by performing on their behalf, the
ordinances listed above required for salvation.
This knowledge has comforted me in
times of grief when a grandparent, other relative, or other loved one
dies. But I don’t need to be humbled to
feel that joy. I find peace in knowing I
have lasting relationships when I spend time with my siblings, parents, and
those to whom I’m sealed to on Earth and in heaven.
This is all possible through
Christ’s atonement, giving us the power to look past death. It is no longer a barrier, but an obstacle
that we need only take the right steps to overcome.
Some things should end. Families shouldn’t.
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