Gospel Questions: What Do Mormons Believe about Death?

by Tristi Pinkston | More from this Blogger

26 Feb 2008 04:00 PM

Death is a sorrow that will come to all of us. We lose our grandparents, our parents, sometimes a child. We may lose a spouse before we are ready to let them go. The human body is frail and can only remain with us for a short time. It's hard to let go of someone we loved so dearly.

However, there is hope and peace that comes through knowing and understanding the principle of life after death. We believe that when a person dies, they do not cease to exist, but that their spirit rises up to dwell with Heavenly Father until the time of resurrection, when our bodies will be restored in a perfect form and are joined again with our spirits to form an eternal being, a celestial body, that will never die again.

Because Jesus Christ gave us the Atonement, we can repent of our sins and be forgiven. Because He died on the cross and came forth on the third day, we can also be resurrected. He broke the barrier between death and life and offers that to us as well. We believe that this gift is given to all men, regardless of their levels of righteousness. Every person who has lived on this earth will be reunited with their bodies at the last day.

I have been to funerals where the bereaved did not understand or believe this concept. Their grief was overwhelming. Their sorrow was profound. One such family had lost a baby to SIDS, and it nearly tore them apart to think that they would never see their child again. Conversely, I have been to funerals where the joys of reunion were discussed, where the talks focused on the eternities and what it would be like to live together forever, as a family. The grief that is felt is because of missing the departed one, not out of despair that they are lost forever. The difference between these two styles of funeral is amazing.

Death brings us great sadness, but it does not need to bring us despair. Our loved ones are still alive, living in a different sphere for the time being. We will see them again. We will live together as families, if we have chosen to live our lives in accordance to the commandments. The blessings of the temple make this possible, all brought about by Jesus Christ and the Atonement.

Death can be a time of rejoicing, knowing that our loved ones are out of pain and that they are wrapped safely in the arms of our Heavenly Father, just waiting for our glad reunion. This knowledge brings me so much peace and comfort.

Related Blogs:

Hope - a Gift from God

The Resurrected Body of Christ

Emphasize the Spiritual Events of Easter

Learn more about Tristi Pinkston

I've been a blogger for Families.com since August of 2006.

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