Mortality, what is it?

I know I have a full day ahead today, people to see and work to do!

Sunday is my turn to teach the Relief Society lesson and itis on my mind as well. This month's message is about hope and consolation at the Time of Death. This could be a depressing subject depending on the attitude about what we feel and have as an anchor to get us through the death of those we are close to and love.

I can't help but to recall the time when I was 12 years old and the reality of mortality struck me when my great-grandmother Eduiges died. We went to her funeral in Texas. It was my first flight on a plane, with my parents and my younger sisters.
I even remember the dresses we wore on the plane!

What is mortality? I looked it up and found it defined as the condition of being subject to death. Then there is the definition of death. Death is defined as the cessation of all vital functions of the body including the heartbeat, brain activity (including the brain stem), and breathing. Somehow I find NO comfort in these words. Just words on a page.

II Nephi 9:11-12 in contrast talks about, "O how great the goodness of God, who prepares a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea that monster, death, which is the death of the body. . ." etc.

I look to the next verse, II Nephi 9:13--"O how great the plan of our God! For on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge is perfect."

Now, that somehow is much more comfort to me and from a chapter in the Book of Mormon that has the plan of salvation in its entirety. I appreciate the knowledge I now have that there IS life after this one in the spirit world. That to me was the most comforting realization when I investigated the Church twelve years later. That twelve year old part of me was so frightened about death and I could not sleep for three months after my great-grandmother's funeral that summer in 1956.


This is me in Jr High at about age 12--

My tender age of twelve was when death became a reality and I had no answers to bring me any peace from my anxiety as I pondered on my own at that time. The only solace I received was when I finally prayed and asked God to help me get through that grief and unsettling feeling about death. I must have had a hard time even then to express my emotions to anyone. My mother told me later I should have gone to her to talk about it, but I didn't out of fear. She was right, and I can't fault her for not knowing what I was feeling without telling her.

I am so grateful to have the gospel in my life where I can turn to the scriptures for the peace and comfort I need at any given time with any given problem to get through.
It is a blessing in our lives to embrace the plan of salvation and the atonement of Jesus Christ. It filled and continues to fill a greater part in my life.

I know that when the truth came into my life it was literally the answer to my prayers given by me, as that innocent twelve year old girl.