Death is not the end, it is only change. At the smallest possible level of creation, we are energy. Energy cannot be made or destroyed, only changed into different forms. For example - movement can become electricity and electricity, light. Our spirit is the substance that contains our intelligence and life force. Our bodies though imperfect, are finely tuned vehicles tailored down to the subatomic level to house our beautiful spirits.
Sometimes these vehicles fail and it can no longer sustain the energy of our spirit. This causes a chain reaction resulting in the change and departure of our spirits. We don’t just vanish or cease to exist. We go on as we were designed to.
Yesterday was Easter, the celebration of Christ’s resurrection and return from the grave (or, in His case, the tomb). We celebrate and express our gratitude for the Atonement He made so that we could come and be like Him. This could not have happened were he not the Son of God. For as we know, God created the heavens and earth and every living thing upon it. To do that, a mastery of all the elements and sciences and arts would be required as well as an ability to orchestrate things at a level beyond the subatomic.
Why then, after keeping and obeying every commandment given to Him, would Christ not be able to do this? Why then, after ascending to His Father and obtaining a fullness of knowledge and power according to His obedience, would He be unable to restore His imperfect mortal body to it’s most perfect form and reunite with it? And why would we not receive the same for keeping His commandments and following in his footsteps.
The Easter Bunny in Rise of the Guardians had it right when he said, “Easter means new beginnings, new life. Easter is about hope.” The hope Christ brings with the resurrection that every human being will receive and the joy at the possibility of being reunited with our perfect bodies (no scars, no illness, no deformities, just you and your perfect body the way it’s supposed to be) after death and rejoining our friends and family members, is beyond description. This is the joy that Christ wants for us, the joy He received after His death and rise three days later. This joy and more does He want for us, which we will receive if we but heed his council.
This life, this beautiful mortal life is but a test, a speck of time to prove ourselves for the eternities to come. Even though it might be hard at times, it is necessary and wonderful - not because trials and hardships are easy or fun, but because of how we become better people, more understanding and loving, after we’ve endured and overcome them.
I bear you my testimony that the Lord, Jesus Christ lives and that He loves you. He loves you deeply and will always and forever. I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.