The Doors of Death

The Doors of Death by Elder Russell M. Nelson

"Life does not begin with birth, nor does it end with death. Prior to our birth, we dwelled as spirit children with our Father in Heaven. There we eagerly anticipated the possibility of coming to earth and obtaining a physical body.

"Knowingly we wanted the risks of mortality, which would allow the exercise of agency and accountability. "This life [was to become] a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God." (Alma 12:24) But we regarded the returning home as the best part of that long-awaited trip, just as we do now. 

"Before embarking on any journey, we like to have some assurance of a round-trip ticket. Returning from earth to life in our heavenly home required passage through—and not around—the doors of death. We were born to die, and we die to live. (See 2 Corinthians 6:9)

"As seedlings of God we barely blossom on earth; we fully flower in heaven. Our limited perspective would be enlarged if we could witness the reunion on the other side of the veil, when doors of death open to those returning home. Such was the vision of the psalmist who wrote, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." (Psalms 116:15)

"As a special witness of Jesus Christ, I testify that He lives! I also testify that the veil of death is very thin. I know by experiences too sacred to relate that those who have gone before are not strangers to leaders of this Church. To us and to you, our loved ones may be just as close as the next room—separated only by the doors of death."

– April 1992 General Conference

Until We Meet Again

I have a testimony of the power of the resurrection. Through the power of the Atonement of our most beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, everyone we have ever loved and lost to death will be reunited with us, in our physical bodies, here on earth.

Death is a Part of Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness

We have come to earth to learn, to live, to progress in our eternal journey toward perfection. Some remain on earth for a moment, while others live long upon the land. The measure is not how long we live, but how well we live. Then comes death and the beginning of a new chapter in life. This new chapter leads to that glorious day of resurrection, when spirit and body will be reunited, never again to be separated.

Christ said to the grieving Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." (John 11:25-26)

"Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow." (Alma 40:11-12)

taken from April 2010 Ensign Magazine

Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself

Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself by George Albert Smith

"Brethren and sisters, if the gospel of Jesus Christ, as delivered to you, has not planted that feeling of love in your hearts for your fellow men, then I want to say that you have not enjoyed the full fruition of that wonderful gift that came to earth when this Church was organized.

"If we find a man or woman who has not succeeded in life, one who is weakening in his faith, let us not turn our backs upon him; let us make it a point to visit him, and go to him in kindness and love, and encourage him to turn from the error of his way. The opportunity to do individual work among us as a people is present everywhere; and there are few men and few women in this Church who could not, if they would, reach out a little farther from the circle  with which they are identified, and say a kind word, or teach the truth to some of our Father's children.

"You cannot drive people to do things which are right, but you can love them into doing them, if your example is of such a character that they can see you mean what you say."

— George Albert Smith, President of the 

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

1945-51

Teachings of the Presidents of the Church — George Albert Smith, p 14, 16-17

With Songs of Praise

With Songs of Praise by Penelope Moody Allen and Newel Kay Brown

With songs of praise and gratitude

We worship God above,
In words and music give our thanks
For his redeeming love.

[chorus]
Then come before God’s presence!
With singing worship him!
Express the heart too full to speak,
In one exultant hymn.

The Lord has said a heartfelt song

By righteous ones is prayer;
A hymn unites us and invites
The Spirit to be there.

[chorus]

In former days glad hymns were sung
By seed of Abraham;
The Saints shall sing, when Christ shall come,
The new song of the Lamb.

[chorus]

A Fire Still Burning

Brandon Flowers — a rock and roll singer, a husband, a dad, a Mormon

Moroni 10:4

" I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost."                                                                            — Moroni 10:4

Moroni's promise is perhaps the best known, most frequently quoted scripture in the entire Book of Mormon. It is the closing witness of a prophet of God. The truth of the book rests on his simple, sublime assurance. He gives us the key to open the door of light and truth: a sincere heart and real intent. Seldom will a person who approaches the Book of Mormon with a skeptical mind or a desire to prove it false come away with the witness that is delivered by the sweet whisperings of the Spirit to a humble and honest seeker. It is by the power of the Holy Ghost that we know when something is true or not. It is b the power of the Holy Ghost that we can have discernment. If we sincerely seek, humbly ask, and truly desire with all our hearts to know the truth, we will find it within the pages of this sacred scripture.

When Ye Shall Receive These Things, p 392