I am grateful for the Atonement and Resurrection, because I know my dear departed loved ones are not just gone. I feel so sorry for people without this knowledge. 1 Corinthians 15:22
Even though it was and will continue to be sorrowful, when loved ones die, the sadness is much less with a knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. Those without this knowledge are without hope, when they loose loved ones. Mosiah 16:7-8 There is no shame in mourning for the departed. It is natural and even good to miss those we love. Knowledge of the hereafter is comforting to those who possess this knowledge. As witnesses for Christ, we can give comfort to those without this knowledge by sharing the truth. But...we must do so carefully...there is a time during mourning when many are angry with God. Preaching sometimes makes mourners bitter. Mosiah 18:8-10 While it is hard to be the mourner, those that die are in a better place. Alma 28:12 Doctrine and Covenants 42:45-46
Nevertheless, the resurrection of the dead will come to ALL, believers and non-believers alike. Alma 11:42-45 Jesus assured this fact when He overcame the grave. Likewise we will overcome the grave at the time of the resurrection. In the meantime, the righteous await judgement in paradise, while the others wait in prison. Alma 40:11-14 Those in prison, who didn't have the opportunity to learn the gospel on earth are taught by the righteous and given the opportunity to repent. Doctrine and Covenants 138
God is so good. He loves us dearly. He wants all of us to return to Him. Enduring the death of loved ones, we learn important lessons. True, we may not WANT to learn the lessons. Nevertheless, learning opposites is one of the biggest reasons we are on earth: joy/sorrow, true/false, good/evil, life/death, health/sickness, pleasure/pain.
