With deep love comes deep suffering when we lose a loved one. To mourn the loss of a loved one is also part of our earthly experience. The Savior also said, “Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die … And it shall come to pass that those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them;” (Doctrine & Covenants 42: 45-46)
Kersten Campbell Wrote an Article That I think Will Be Helpful to Widows and Widowers
“Many widows and widowers wonder if they will ever feel alive again after the death of their beloved companions.
One difficulty widows and widowers face after the death of a spouse is the challenge of moving on with their temporal lives. Some find it hard to make important decisions alone or to assume responsibilities formerly shouldered by a spouse. In addition, the financial situation of a widow or widower may be dire, especially if the spouse accrued medical bills as the result of a long illness, or if the widow or widower is left with no means to support the family.
FINDING HAPPINESS
“Most widows and widowers say that despite feelings of despair and loneliness, it is possible to have joy again.
Many widows and widowers say that they find happiness in keeping busy, focusing on family, improving themselves, serving others and becoming involved in things they care about.
Trisha Grant-Call, a 38 year old widow said, ‘It takes awhile to find happiness after a loss, but I like to try to realize what I do have. I still find joy through my children. I still have an amazing part of my husband in my girls and me. Striving to live the life that Heavenly Father wants for me gives me happiness.’
SEEK THE COMFORT OF THE SPIRIT
“In England, 33-year-old Andrea Fahey’s husband died suddenly following surgery. Andrea felt an overwhelming sadness and wondered how she could raise her three young children alone. She found that daily prayer and scripture study brought the Holy Ghost, which gave her comfort and the strength to move forward.
THE NEED TO TALK
“Also pressing is the need to talk about what happened, even if it results in tears. After a three-year battle with cancer took her husband, Diana Redfern of England was devastated and frightened at the prospect of being alone. She relates how people in her church helped her adjust to her new situation.
‘At the time of Bob’s death, people were very kind to me. They reached out. I was listened to, and that is what I needed. What was not helpful was when people avoided talking about my husband because they thought it would upset me. I wanted to talk about him. It helped ease the loss over time.’
CONCLUSION
“Whether it be through service, personal revelation, the comfort of the Holy Ghost, or earthly angels sent to ease their burdens, these widows and widowers bear testimony that the blessings and miracles in their time of grief have been rich and abundant. Through their struggle and example of enduring to the end, they bear strong witness that no matter how great the loss or how deep the sorrow, there can be happiness and healing through the gospel of Jesus Christ. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world”. (James 1: 27 in the Bible)
WHAT HAPPENS AT DEATH
The eternal spirit of our loved one leaves the physical body at death and enters the world of spirits to await the universal resurrection when the spirit and body are re-united again, never to separate. On Friday, at Jesus Christ’s death, His spirit left his body and went to the spirit world to preach until he was resurrected on Sunday. “…being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;” (a prison of sin and ignorance). (1 Peter 3: 18-19 in the Bible)
At death our loved one is free of the cares and pains of mortality and will be with other loved ones who previously passed through the portals of death. They will look forward to our joining them when our time on earth is finished.
Dallas Jones is the local leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The column quoted an article by Kersten Campbell “Widows & Widowers” in the January, 2010 edition of Ensign. For further discussion call (231) 383-8359 or send an email to dallasjones8349@yahoo.com. If interested in reading previous articles by Dallas Jones printed in the newspaper visit djonesarticles.com.