Happy Halloween everyone!!!
I have a more serious message today, even though today is Halloween. I just have to share what happened to me this weekend. A member of our ward was on his way back from work on his motorcycle Friday night, when he suddenly lost control of the bike on the freeway and crashed. He was killed as a result of the accident. He has a wife and four children, three of which are still in primary. His wife is also currently pregnant with their fifth child. It was a huge tragedy. Elder Smith and I were on our way to church yesterday, and we were talking about how there was no way the family was going to be at church that day, considering they had just barely lost their husband/father less than two days before, and they had tons of family over for the funeral and such... We sat down in the chapel for sacrament meeting, when we heard kind of a gasp come over the people in the room. We looked over and saw the wife of the man walking in, with all of her children. I don't think I could've done that. I mean, go to church when you know that you going to be essentially forced to talk about what happened to everyone and have everyone see you cry and mourn? I'm sure that was the last thing she wanted to do, but she came anyway.
The next thing that happened was probably the thing that impacted me the most. We were in a combined Relief society/Priesthood meeting for the 5th Sunday, and the bishop decided to change his original lesson plan. He turned the meeting over to the group for a testimony meeting. Many people came up and expressed their love for the hurting family, and testified of eternal families. It was really nice. Then, there was a pause after everyone had finished. The bishop was about to stand up and close the meeting, when the wife of the deceased member walked up to the front. She very emotionally bore an amazing testimony. To the best of my memory, this is some of what she said: "I know that God has a plan for us. I don't yet know why this had to be a part of it, but I know it was part of the plan, and that He's in charge. There's no one else I would rather have in charge of my life. He has done a far better job with my life than I would ever have been able to do if I had been in charge of it... I'm so grateful for my temple marriage. I'm so grateful that my husband and I have eternity to spend together, because 200 months was not nearly enough time with my husband. I know I will see him, and live with him again forever. I love this gospel. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
When she finished, there wasn't a dry eye in the room, including mine. I was so inspired. I don't know if I could've done what she did. Her life had just been hit by a sledgehammer, and she didn't blame God at all, in fact, she praised Him. I hope I can be that strong someday. It was a good reminder to me of what's really important in life. I know that God really is in charge, and that all of the trials that come into our lives are a part of His plan. I also know that families really are eternal, and that if we are faithful, we will be able to live with all of our families in happiness forever in the next life.
Lastly, I wanted to share a scripture with you all in relation to this. This is the prophet Abinadi's final testimony of the Savior:
6 And now if Christ had notcome into the world, speaking of things to come asthough they had already come, there could have been no redemption.
7 And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that deathshould have no sting,there could have been no resurrection.
8 But there is a resurrection,therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.
9 He is the lightand the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.
I testify that the sting of death truly is swallowed up in Christ. I know that He lives, and because He lives, all of us will live again too. I testify of this, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
I have a more serious message today, even though today is Halloween. I just have to share what happened to me this weekend. A member of our ward was on his way back from work on his motorcycle Friday night, when he suddenly lost control of the bike on the freeway and crashed. He was killed as a result of the accident. He has a wife and four children, three of which are still in primary. His wife is also currently pregnant with their fifth child. It was a huge tragedy. Elder Smith and I were on our way to church yesterday, and we were talking about how there was no way the family was going to be at church that day, considering they had just barely lost their husband/father less than two days before, and they had tons of family over for the funeral and such... We sat down in the chapel for sacrament meeting, when we heard kind of a gasp come over the people in the room. We looked over and saw the wife of the man walking in, with all of her children. I don't think I could've done that. I mean, go to church when you know that you going to be essentially forced to talk about what happened to everyone and have everyone see you cry and mourn? I'm sure that was the last thing she wanted to do, but she came anyway.
The next thing that happened was probably the thing that impacted me the most. We were in a combined Relief society/Priesthood meeting for the 5th Sunday, and the bishop decided to change his original lesson plan. He turned the meeting over to the group for a testimony meeting. Many people came up and expressed their love for the hurting family, and testified of eternal families. It was really nice. Then, there was a pause after everyone had finished. The bishop was about to stand up and close the meeting, when the wife of the deceased member walked up to the front. She very emotionally bore an amazing testimony. To the best of my memory, this is some of what she said: "I know that God has a plan for us. I don't yet know why this had to be a part of it, but I know it was part of the plan, and that He's in charge. There's no one else I would rather have in charge of my life. He has done a far better job with my life than I would ever have been able to do if I had been in charge of it... I'm so grateful for my temple marriage. I'm so grateful that my husband and I have eternity to spend together, because 200 months was not nearly enough time with my husband. I know I will see him, and live with him again forever. I love this gospel. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
When she finished, there wasn't a dry eye in the room, including mine. I was so inspired. I don't know if I could've done what she did. Her life had just been hit by a sledgehammer, and she didn't blame God at all, in fact, she praised Him. I hope I can be that strong someday. It was a good reminder to me of what's really important in life. I know that God really is in charge, and that all of the trials that come into our lives are a part of His plan. I also know that families really are eternal, and that if we are faithful, we will be able to live with all of our families in happiness forever in the next life.
Lastly, I wanted to share a scripture with you all in relation to this. This is the prophet Abinadi's final testimony of the Savior:
6 And now if Christ had notcome into the world, speaking of things to come asthough they had already come, there could have been no redemption.
7 And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that deathshould have no sting,there could have been no resurrection.
8 But there is a resurrection,therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.
9 He is the lightand the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.
I testify that the sting of death truly is swallowed up in Christ. I know that He lives, and because He lives, all of us will live again too. I testify of this, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Garrett Hunsaker
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