Today was one of those days that strengthens one's testimony. Sacrament meeting brought many beautiful testimonies. A woman stood and soon explained that the man that fell off the roof in West Haven and died this past week was her son-in-law, he was married to this woman's daughter. She explained the tragedy that had took place in their family. He had so many plans ahead of him in life and not a single soul anticipated that the day at work on the roof would be his last day on this earth. The woman explained that her son-in-law had planned to baptize his daughter yesterday and was going to have a lunch at their home in the little's girls honor. These plans were ruined. The man had left behind four young children and I wife I'm sure he adored. How tragic. How heart wrenching. Everyday, we carry out our little lives and feel so invincible. Hardly, do we ever stop to think about the end of our time here on this earth. No one knows when their time is up. No one knows how or when they will go. How incredibly fragile life is. The beautiful silver lining through the dark cloud of death is the Plan of Salvation. How lucky are we that God has a plan for each and every one of us. That no matter the pain, the suffering, or the heartache that death and losing a loved one brings, we KNOW that we will see them again someday. We will again be reunited and it will be a marvelous moment the morning that we see those missed loved ones again. I like to imagine that they will be just as we remembered them, but perfect. What a marvelous thought; how comforting.
Elder Holland once said in a talk that you are the closest to God in your time of trial and suffering. So to any of you that feel heartache, grief, loneliness, anger, hopelessness, regret, depressions, or any other malicious feeling... rest assured. Your loving Heavenly Father has a great plan for you. You need not bear your burdens on your own, he will carry you and make your burdens light. Jesus Christ hung on the cross and felt every pain and feeling so that we can find peace and comfort. So that we can someday return home to Him. Oh, what a marvelous day it will be when I can hug my Savior, look Him in the eyes and thank him for the sacrifices he made on my behalf. How could I ever repay such a kind act? Love him. Be obedient. Share His gospel. And above all else, know that He has a plan for you and know that He lives!
I find immense joy in these truths. Find your joy.
