Proclamation Series: The Divine Plan of Happiness

"In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally "

Two years ago my aunt died. She was in her mid 70s, had cancer, and went rather quickly. I loved her dearly! She is one of my mother's sisters and was a second mother to me in life. She was one of the soft places I had to land. She always loved me with the sweetest purest love. When she died, I was heart-broken. Out of the clear blue sky, announced, I would burst into heart-broken tears over her death. Just yesterday I heard Whitney Houston's song "I Will Always Love You" and the tears came right back.

But I do feel peace, knowing she is on the other side. She still lives. I have felt her presence with me from time to time. It is comforting to know that someone who knows me and loves me is on the other side, not too far away, watching over me.

I know that through the blessing of the temple, families can be together eternally. Death does not have to separate families.

I had an interesting visit with a new friend.  She began to tell me of her conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not your typical conversion story:

"She and her husband both moved to the same town from different locations, in their high school years. Neither one of them were members of the church at that time, although they had friends who were LDS.  They dated each other in high school, then  were later married in a Baptist church.  They weren't Baptist, but had a friend who was, so that is where they were married.  Shortly after they were married they had the feelings of wanting to start going to a church of some kind, but they weren't sure where or which one. 

Another friend of theirs (who was LDS ) had an infant son who died suddenly of SIDS.   She wanted so badly to comfort her friend in this devastating loss, but did not know how. She was at a loss of what to say or how to comfort her. This baby's death effected her and her husband deeply.  They were groping to understand the "whys" as much as anyone.  They attended the funeral and were deeply touched by the message of hope and the Spirit that was felt there.   The funeral was the turning point in their conversion.  They received the missionaries who taught them the gospel and they were baptized.  "

That was probably 20 years ago or so, and they think of that infant boy who died of SIDS as their first missionary.  Without his death, they feel they wouldn't have been introduced to the gospel.  They revere him in that his purpose and mission on this earth was partly for them to find the true gospel of Jesus Christ.  This tragedy of loss in this families life, gave the light of the gospel in the other.

That story touched me  deeply. I have the faith and assurance that this family who lost their son, will see him again.  They are still a family and their family relationship can "be perpetuated after death"

For more information on how we can live as families and with God again, {click here}

To read The Family: A Proclamation to the World {click here}