Life Is Eternal

In my other blog at http://shaunabere.blogspot.com/ I talk about the events leading to the recent death of my Grandma Bere. I feel so much gratitude for my beliefs. Death is not a scary uncertain monster for me. To me death is no more unnatural than birth. It is a stepping stone in an eternal existence. We existed as a being of spirit, intelligence, and emotion long before we came to Earth and received physical bodies via birth and we will exist as a being of spirit, intelligence, and emotion long after we lose our physical bodies via death.

One of my favorite quotes and a powerful statement by the French philosopher and Jesuit priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin:

"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience."

Although I will mourn the loss of my time and temporal connection with my Grandma, I do not mourn her loss as she is not lost. Neither are any of the other members of my family who have gone before her. When I lost my other grandmother to the exact same disease, under the most startling similar circumstances, her journey from this part of her existence to another was a very sacred experience. I sat with her as she passed. I felt closer to God for having been with her at this time. Words don't describe it any better than that.

There is a lovely article written by Ezra Taft Benson the Prophet, and leader of my church in August 1991. The article in entitled, “Life Is Eternal.”

Life is eternal. We are eternal beings. We lived as intelligent spirits before this mortal life. We are now living part of eternity. Our mortal birth was not the beginning. Death, which faces all of us, is not the end.

As we travel through this topsy-turvy world filled with temptations and problems, we are humbled by the expectancy of death, the uncertainty of life, and the power and love of God. Sadness comes to all of us in the loss of loved ones. But there is gratitude also—gratitude for the assurance we have that life is eternal; gratitude for the great gospel plan given freely to all of us; gratitude for the life, teachings, and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Yes, life is eternal. This is but a place of temporary duration. There is the ever-present expectancy of death, but in reality there is no death—no permanent parting. The resurrection is a reality. The scriptures are replete with evidence. Almost immediately after the glorious resurrection of the Lord, Matthew records: “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” (Matt. 27:52–53)

The spirit world is not far away. Sometimes the veil between this life and the life beyond becomes very thin. Our loved ones who have passed on are not far from us. Yes, life is eternal. Death is not the end. To the sorrowful, inquiring women at the tomb of Christ, the angels proclaimed: “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.” (Luke 24:5–6) Nothing in history equals that dramatic announcement: “He is not here, but is risen.”

My Sunday School Class

About 10 months ago I was asked to serve as the Sunday School teacher to the 10-11 year old children in my ward (congregation). I was terrified to accept this responsibility. I had not dealt with children on a consistent basis for almost a decade. I spent a few short months with one group of children.

At the beginning of the new year, I was assigned a new group of children in the 10-11 year range. I have been teaching the same eight children since January 1, 2008. There are four boys and four girls. I teach kids who excel at sports, music, academics, and any combination of those things. I have one kid who is terrified to talk and at least three who seem to be terrified to be quiet. I have a kid who is kind and quiet and a kid who is rough around the edges. I have two kids who like to be right and two kids who want everyone to get along. They are amazing.

Early on I learned that they are like lawyers, English professors, and tape recorders rolled into one. Like lawyers who could argue the finest details about anything, English professors who critique how well I speak or write on the board, and tape recorders that can repeat back any sentence I have spoken. They keep me in line that is for certain.

I feel my obligation to them and take it seriously. God asked me to teach them the gospel of Jesus Christ. To be an example to them. I will, in the end, have to report back to Him about what I did to fulfill these responsibilities. In some small measure I feel like they are "my" kids. I care deeply for them, their welfare, their happiness, and their spirituality. Each of those children have been blessed with excellent families. Families who want to see their children be as successful spiritually as temporally. They try to install good values in their kids.

Last year we studied the New Testament. We have a class manual and we are studying the Book of Mormon for this year's curriculum. Although we have a schedule and follow the curriculum closely twice this year I have felt extremely impressed to address an issue that was affecting the class. Recently (as in today) I taught a lesson on eliminating contention. I will share in the next post the content of today's lesson.