Print or Email

TheDiscipleMd

“Because it’s a book about a man who doesn’t know he’s about to die. And then dies. But if a man does know he’s about to die and dies anyway. Dies- dies willingly, knowing that he could stop it, then- I mean, isn’t that the type of man who you want to keep alive? ” (Movie: Stranger Than Fiction).

The moral of this quote lies in the discovery of the movie’s main character, Harold Crick, that he is going to die while rescuing a little boy from certain death. He decides to go forward with his fate rather than trying to change it. Throughout history there have been wonderful examples of unselfish giving of life for others. In the movie “Saving Private Ryan”, after being informed of the death of three brothers in the war, there is a letter read aloud by the General who orders for the “saving” of Private Ryan.
“Dear Madam:
“I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

“Yours very sincerely and respectfully,
“Abraham Lincoln.”

The scriptures are replete with such sacrifices from Abinidi to Stephen to Peter. The most glorious of course is that of our Savior Jesus Christ. Perhaps one sentence captures it best: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”(John 15:13). We learn that through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ all these martyr’s will again live. Thomas Monson had these words to say in the April of 2003:

“Then comes that glorious day of resurrection, when spirit and body will be reunited, never again to be separated. “I am the resurrection, and the life,” said the Christ to the grieving Martha. “He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” “In my Father’s house are many mansions: … I go to prepare a place for you. … That where I am, there ye may be also.”
This transcendent promise became a reality when Mary and the other Mary approached the garden tomb—that cemetery which had but one occupant. Let Luke, the physician, describe their experience:
“Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre. …
“And they found the stone rolled away. … “… They entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. They were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
“And … said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?” “He is not here: for he is risen.”

This is the clarion call of Christendom. The reality of the Resurrection provides to one and all the peace that surpasses understanding…As the least of His disciples, I declare my personal witness that death has been conquered, victory over the tomb has been won. May the words made sacred by Him who fulfilled them become actual knowledge to all mankind as they live to live again, and not to die!