Families Can Be Together Forever

My family (:

Considering current events, I am saving my Hobby Lobby post for later because there is something much deeper pressing on my mind that I feel inspired to write on.

Just last week a family in Texas was murdered.  The lone survivor was the 15-year-old daughter who had a bullet graze her head. She pretended to be dead until her aunt's ex-husband left.  After experiencing her family being executed she called 911 to warn them that her family's killer would be traveling to her grandparent's house next and, in the process, she probably saved around 20 family members.

Days later she was released from the hospital and spoke at a memorial for her family.  She commented that she knew that her family was in a much better place and that she will be able to see them again someday.

As unbelievable as it seems, this comment, based on her faith, stirred up controversy. 

First of all... *be better *sooner rather than later *the.

If you're going to have an opinion that lacks compassion.. please try to be grammatically correct. 

Beyond that, I would feel awful to not bear my testimony on the truth I know of being able to spend eternity with my family.

I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone because, I don't care what religious people argue, you can't prove religion. However, I've studied and pondered and received my own answers.  I have not "just listened" to my religious leaders and "just believed." 

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Or a Mormon, as most people recognize us.  I believe in the Bible "as far as it is translated correctly.  I also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God."  It is another testament of Jesus Christ. I base my beliefs on those simple principles.

In our church their is a song that teaches the principle of Eternal Families...

"I have a family here on earth
They are so good to me
I want to share my life with them
Through all eternity.
Families can be together forever
Through Heavenly Father's plan
I always want to be with my own family
And the Lord has shown me how I can."

Next to the teachings of Christ and his Atonement we know that through his Atonement and sacrifice we have the opportunity to live with our families and our Heavenly Father throughout eternity in mansions that have been prepared for us (John 14:1-3.)

I can see where this 15-year-old girl can have so much strength in knowing her family is in a better place.  In True to the Faith, an LDS gospel reference book, we learn that "when the physical body dies, the spirit continues to live.  In the spirit world the spirits of the righteous 'are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care and sorrow' (Alma 40:12.)"

It notes also that "physical death is only temporary: 'As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive' (1 Corinthians 15:22.)"  Understanding the principles of the gospel and the idea of an eternal family should give anyone the strength to work through this kind of a tragedy.

This comment given does bring up a good, honest question.

I'm extremely glad to answer that question.  Let us first consider where we are basing our "logic."  

If we believe that there is a better place, generally we believe there is a God.

If we believe there is a God, generally we believe the Bible is the word of God.

If we believe the Bible is the word of God, generally we believe in the Ten Commandments.

If we believe in the Ten Commandments, generally we believe "Thou shalt not kill." (Exodus 20:13.)

If we believe "Thou shalt not kill," generally we believe thou shalt probably not kill thyself.

BECAUSE if you do you have thus broken a commandment of God and will achieve a lesser kingdom, or if you're not LDS, hell is a possibility.  And hell is not a "better place."

Logically speaking.

Alas!  I digress..

I'm afraid what worries me even more is the lack of compassion.  Considering what we are taught of the Second Coming of Christ I have reason to wonder.  In D&C 45:27, speaking of Christ's return, we read "And the love of men shall wax cold..." and how sad is it that this should come to pass.  Especially at the tragedy of a child losing her family.

Those that have taken this tragedy and termed it as a reason to bring up the stupidity of religious teachings, gun control, and politics: they've completely missed the point.  Compassion, love, and kindness has disappeared as selfishness, pride, and arrogance has emerged.

Don't stop loving.  Don't stop serving.  Don't lose faith.

Stay close to your family and treasure the relationships you find there, because they can be eternal.

To understand why a little girl can feel so calm in the face of tragedy, I turn to these words:

"Jesus took upon Himself the pains, sicknesses, and infirmities of all people (Alma 7:11-12).  He understands your suffering because he has experienced it.  With this perfect understanding, He knows how to help you.  You can cast 'all your care upon him; for he careth for you' (2 Peter 5:7)...

'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' (Matthew 11:28.)"