Doors of Death

I just came across a quote from a talk by President Russell M Nelson from the April 1992 General Conference.  I was a 21-year-old missionary serving in Florida at the time.  The quote intrigued me so I wanted to read the whole talk.  Here is President Nelson's quote that I read this morning.

"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."  – Russell M Nelson, Doors of Death, April 1992 General Conference

After reading this quote, I looked up the talk and read it.  The whole talk was really good.  Basic doctrine, but a good reminder.  In reading the talk I came across this paragraph from the talk which I love.

"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 requires passage through—and not around—the doors of death. We were born to die, and we die to live. (See 2 Cor. 6:9.) As seedlings of God, we barely blossom on earth; we fully flower in heaven."  – Russell M Nelson, Doors of Death, April 1992 General Conference

The whole talk is an excellent reminder of the doctrine surrounding death.  I would highly suggest you click on the link above to read the talk in its entirety.

Because I was, thankfully, raised in the gospel knowing the plan of salvation and the doctrines surrounding death, I have always considered death a graduation from mortality.  A relief from the pains and trials we experience here.  I like President Nelson's analogy of a round-trip journey to mortality and back.  Birth is embarking on the journey and death is returning home from our mortal journey.  I am certainly looking forward to returning to my heavenly home.

The longer I live the more people I know that have crossed over to the other side of the veil.  I am now the oldest living member in my direct ancestral line.  Everyone on the family tree wall is gone, including my parents.

A lot of people who I did not know personally, but certainly knew of, from my youth are also gone now.  Most recently, Toby Keith, who was only nine years older than me.  (In fact, I'm still listening to my Toby Keith playlist even as I write this.)  :-)  And most of those I know who aren't dead yet, are certainly well past their prime now.  It really is astonishing how fast time flies and how fleeting this mortal journey is.  That is why it is so important to do our best to follow God, keep His commandments, and stay on the strait and narrow covenant path.  Because sooner than later, we will all be crossing through the doors of death to return to our heavenly home and meet our maker.

Another great quote from President Nelson's talk:

"If physical death should strike before moral wrongs have been made right, opportunity for repentance will have been forfeited. Thus, “the [real] sting of death is sin.” (1 Cor. 15:56.)

"Even the Savior cannot save us in our sins. He will redeem us from our sins, but only upon condition of our repentance. We are responsible for our own spiritual survival or death."

But, if we are trying to follow Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ and strive to stay on or come back to the covenant path through repentance, we have no need to fear death.  Death will indeed be a glorious reunion with loved ones and a respite from the pains and trials of mortality.  I longingly anticipate that glorious day. 

President Nelson said this at the end of his talk: 

"With the help of the Lord, your deeds and desires will qualify you to receive everlasting joy, glory, immortality, and eternal lives."

Present Nelson's words are my prayer for all of us.

That's my two cents.