Death- Where is Thy Victory?

Today marks 10 years since my wonderful Aunt Lana passed away after a valiant fight with Breast Cancer- leaving behind a wonderful, faithful husband and 9 small children. I vividly remember hearing of her passing and making the drive on icy roads to her funeral. It was my first experience with death that I can remember and, although I was young, I still remember having questions about why a loving God would take such a wonderful woman from her family and I'm sure I even had some doubts on whether or not we would all see her again. I contemplated all of these things in silence during that 5 hour car ride. 

My next memory of that weekend comes from sitting in the chapel at her funeral service...laughing. I think my Uncle Kelly had cracked a small joke and everyone chuckled. I remember being shocked that despite all that had happened, people could actually take a moment and laugh a little. It was then that I had the distinct prompting that my Aunt Lana was there, finally eased of all of her pain, aware of all that was happening, and happy to see her family and friends smiling. I have never questioned for a second after that whether or not there is life after death of the ability to see our loved ones again. Her family shares that same knowledge which I know has been instrumental in helping them make it through such a hard time. They have been an incredible example to me as they have taken this trial and grown closer to each other and to the Savior through the process. 

This same knowledge helped my family pull through once again when I lost three of my cousins in a tragic car accident a few years after Aunt Lana's passing. And it was a great blessing to me when my dear Grandma Ray passed away a few months after I started my mission. Both times brought inevitable heart ache, but that heart ache was replaced with a great sense of peace in knowing that because of the Savior, His sacrifice, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I will get to be reunited with those that I love someday. 

On mormon.org I found a great description about Heavenly Father's plan for us and how death plays a role in that plan. 

"Our physical death isn’t the end, but rather is a step forward in Heavenly Father’s plan and a time of indescribable joy for the person making the transition.

When you’re the one left behind—the one losing a friend or loved one—the pain of that loss is very real. But there’s a lot of comfort in knowing you’ll see him or her again. And because of Christ’s death, at some point our spirit and body will be reunited (resurrected) and made perfect never to be separated again. "

The scriptures teach us that because of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, we don't have to worry about death being the end- but rather we can look at it as being the beginning of the rest of eternity. 

I love how Alma puts it:

 "And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7:12)

What wonderful knowledge, peace, and comfort this Gospel brings. 

Because He died- All shall live again!

I know that this is true. I'm so grateful I will get to see my Aunt Lana, my dear cousins, and my wonderful Grandma again someday. If you have questions or concerns about this, please feel free to message me or meet with local missionaries. We are here to teach and share this message with you! It will change your life and help you to feel this same peace and comfort that I and my family continue to feel 10 years later...