Blessed are they that mourn

Yesterday a family friend passed away suddenly. Last week was the 10 year anniversary of my Father's passing. My friends just got out of a very long relationship. My other friend's wife walked out on him. There are wars, crime, and violence all around.We live in a world that is not exempt from things that are sad and hard.

As I have been pondering these events a beautiful and simple scripture has been coming to my mind. Said the Savior, "Blessed are those that mourn, they shall be comforted." At first I wondered how on earth someone could consider mourning to be a blessing, but as I reflected on my life's experiences I gained a testimony of this principle. Mostly I came to understand for me at least, the value of comfort. 

In John 14:26-27 we read: 

 26 But the aComforter, which is the bHoly Ghost, whom the Father will send in my cname, he shall dteach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
 27 aPeace I leave with you, my bpeace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be ctroubled, neither let it be afraid. (www.lds.org)

In times of sadness and sorrow the quality that most of us desire is peace. This peace often comes to us through two sources, the spirit, and other people who are under the influence of the spirit who come to our aid. It is my observation that times of mourning are times of learning, remembrance, and peace. They are times when our troubled and frightened hearts can be comforted. 

From my experience at the time a loved one leaves our lives we turn more to prayer.Sometimes these are prayers that we can make it through the next few minutes, hours, or days. Sometimes it is pleading to know if the plan of salvation is actually real. There are moments when we are praying that some angel will go to those we care about that we know are suffering. 

During these prayers we learn a couple of lessons. First, that we truly are a child of God and that he does hear our pleadings. Second, we learn how the spirit works in our lives and how to obtain peace in troubled times. Third, we learn how much the people around us love and care for us. Fourth, we learn how much beauty there is in the atonement of Jesus Christ. 

As a time of reflection we think about the lives of those who are no longer with us. We remember the good times. We think of the laughs, the hugs, and fun things we did together. We reflect on all the lessons we learned from that special person in our lives. We reflect on how we saw the Savior work through them. We reflect on the legacy they left behind and how we will keep their memory alive. It can be helpful to keep a journal at this time in life so that we can remember how we felt when others also experience periods of mourning. (No one is exempt!)

Finally mourning is a time of peace. It is almost too sacred to describe the level of peace that I have been blessed to feel in my life at times of mourning. All that I can say is that is beautiful how the Lord knows us each individually. The things that bring me the most peace are music, prayer, scriptures, family, and friends. I promise that whatever it is that brings you comfort will come into your life. The Lord will help you discover the peace that you so desire! 

I know that this life is full of opposition, but I also know that it helps us to see the beauty of God and His power! I personally know and believe in the plan of salvation. I know that families can be together forever, and that hearts can heal of saddness and sorrow. 

As a favorite song says, "You never really say goodbye to someone you have loved. A part of them will stay with you and still remind you of, the way they cared, the things they shared, and how your heart believes. Your gift my friend will never end. The love lives on in me." 

To my friend who went to Heaven this week, and to your family know that you are loved and many are praying for you! To my Father, please go find my friend. To us all, Let us all do our best to focus on the things that matter most. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l70e1TfN34w  Life is short and it can be hard, but the Lord will also bless us with comfort and peace!  

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