A few thoughts on recent tragedies

The recent string of violent events in schools across the country over the past week has weighed heavily on my mind. Many students have lost their lives in a middle school, high school, college, and university over the span of just a week in four separate events across the country. Other similar tragedies have also occurred outside of schools. The frequency and magnitude of these events is disturbing and saddening. As a university student it is difficult to think of such an occurrence on campus, and yet it has become a reality for too many. While I have had no direct connection to anyone involved, as far as I know, I have been deeply saddened by these tragedies and want to try to express love and empathy.

I do not pretend to understand the pain that comes from such an experience, but I do understand the pain of losing an innocent loved one. My sister Beth Anne was just 9 years old when she passed away from complications arising from an aggressive brain tumor. It was a disease she fought courageously for 7 of her 9 precious years. From the day she was born she brought a special spirit to our family. She was full of love and life. She was a peacemaker. She not only touched our hearts, but changed our hearts making each of us a little better. She was happy and made us happy. She was everyone's favorite. She still is. She was always close to heaven and I believe she was continually lifted up by angels. I think of her often and feel her near. I love her dearly and I look forward to seeing her again.

This week, in preparation for the Priesthood lesson in church on Sunday, I read chapter 3 from the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith entitled "Jesus Christ, the Divine Redeemer of the World." The entire text can be found at Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith. I would like to share a few pertinent passages from this chapter to express my understanding of Jesus Christ, His Resurrection, our resurrection, and the hope and comfort I gain from it. It is during these critical times in our lives that we must place our complete faith and trust in the foundation of our religion, who is Jesus Christ. It is during these times that the true principles of the Gospel become clearer to our earthly understanding and the picture of eternity becomes even more beautiful to our earthly eyes.

The following passages, in quotations, come from the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

“The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.

“ ‘As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive;’ all shall be raised from the dead [1 Corinthians 15:22]. The Lamb of God hath brought to pass the resurrection, so that all shall rise from the dead.

“Christ Himself has assuredly risen from the dead; and if He has risen from the dead, He will, by His power, bring all men to stand before Him: for if He has risen from the dead the bands of the temporal death are broken that the grave has no victory. If then, the grave has no victory, those who keep the sayings of Jesus and obey His teachings have not only a promise of a resurrection from the dead, but an assurance of being admitted into His glorious kingdom; for, He Himself says, ‘Where I am there also shall my servant be’ [John 12:26].

“Those who have died in Jesus Christ may expect to enter into all that fruition of joy when they come forth, which they possessed or anticipated here. … I am glad I have the privilege of communicating to you some things which, if grasped closely, will be a help to you when earthquakes bellow, the clouds gather, the lightnings flash, and the storms are ready to burst upon you like peals of thunder. Lay hold of these things and let not your knees or joints tremble, nor your hearts faint; and then what can earthquakes, wars and tornadoes do? Nothing. All your losses will be made up to you in the resurrection, provided you continue faithful. By the vision of the Almighty I have seen it. …

“God has revealed His Son from the heavens and the doctrine of the resurrection also; and we have a knowledge that those we bury here God will bring up again, clothed upon and quickened by the Spirit of the great God; and what mattereth it whether we lay them down, or we lay down with them, when we can keep them no longer? Let these truths sink down in our hearts, that we may even here begin to enjoy that which shall be in full hereafter.

“The scripture says those who will obey the commandments shall be heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. … ‘The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, if so be that we suffer with him in the flesh that we may be also glorified together.’ [See Romans 8:16–17.]

“How consoling to the mourners when they are called to part with a husband, wife, father, mother, child, or dear relative, to know that, although the earthly tabernacle is laid down and dissolved, they shall rise again to dwell in everlasting burnings in immortal glory, not to sorrow, suffer, or die any more, but they shall be heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ."

I believe these teachings to be true. I believe in the resurrection of all of us and that, eternally the grave has no victory. It is difficult now, but "all our losses will be made up" in the resurrection. Though we suffer now, we can be glorified eternally through Christ. In this I find comfort, peace, and hope.

I would also like to mention the ever increasing need to strengthen and protect our families. The law cannot protect against all injustice. The protection of society--physically, spiritually, and morally--begins and ends in the home. In the Church's The Family: A Proclamation to the World, we read:

"Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

"The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.

"We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

"We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."

Adhering to these principles does indeed bring happiness. The attack on and disintegration of the family is perhaps the greatest problem of our world today. Many of the difficulties we face are an extension of this attack. We are accountable for the sacred responsibility of teaching and raising our children. I do not mean to imply that every choice a child makes into adulthood is a direct reflection of his or her upbringing. We all have our freedom to choose, but I do believe that many of the problems of society could be greatly reduced by strengthening the relationships within our families. It is within these eternal relationships that we find our greatest joy and happiness.