TheDiscipleMD
A few years ago my then 86-year-old Father and I were having lunch, which is something we tried to do at least once a week. We shared important memories, ideals and concepts. At one point during the conversation the dialogue veered onto the social problems of the day. We talked about it and the more we did, the more depressing the topic became. Then, with a humorous note of resignation, he said, “Well, I won’t have to worry about these issues much longer.” It was a clear reference to his age and the obvious lack of time he had left on this planet. Then as an afterthought, he added, “But, then again, who knows what I’ll find!” We both smiled. Indeed, who knows in clarity what awaits us on the other side. Problems exit not only throughout the universe, but throughout the eternities.
Some believe there is nothing to find. That we die and that is the end of us. I don’t hold such a fatalistic outlook on man’s existence. No, I hold onto the words of the prophets that we are eternal. I hold onto the inner most feelings I have that I am not just a random accident. No, I believe I am eternal and that “what is on the other side” is a continued life with my loved ones and hopefully with my Savior and my Father in Heaven.
The clarion call of the gospel message is that through the atonement of Jesus Christ, all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. The message of salvation to mankind is eternal! Its redemptive power applies to this life and crosses the universe, worlds without end.
Who knows for sure what exactly awaits us all on the other side. Perhaps we rest from all of our cares or perhaps, as my Father insinuated, we still have much work to do once there. But we both were tying to follow the admonition of Paul, “We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things.”(Philippians 4:8)
My Father entered the portal to the other side a number of years ago at the age of ninety-three with a strong testimony of the atonement of Jesus Christ and that life is eternal. He bore testimony of that fact when he smiled and simply exclaimed, without question, “Who knows what I’ll find!” His resounding exclamation testified to me, that he had a belief that life in all it’s complexities, will continue on in the next world and beyond.