Aug 7, 2012

Prepared to meet God

"If we are well prepared, death brings no terror. From an eternal perspective, death is premature only for those who are not prepared to meet God." -Elder Russell M. Nelson.

Morgan Meservy was prepared to meet God. Morgan graduated a year before me. He had gotten home from his mission in May, just after his brother Blake (who graduated with me) left on his, and just in time for McKenna to graduate from high school. 

Last night, he was driving his scooter and a car hit him. He passed away. When I get more information I will post it. 

My  heart goes out to the Meservy family. Morgan's influence has left a mark on my heart, even though I didn't know him nearly as well as I know McKenna. Kenna is like a sister to me so this is hard for me to not know what to say really. 

Morgan, watch over those you love and continue the work. Thank you for the great and strong example you have left in this world. Your service as a missionary will always be felt.

Blake and Morgan before Morgan goes into the MTC.

Morgan at the MTC

Morgan and McKenna before the MTC

Morgan with his newly graduated sister McKenna

I got the pictures from McKenna's Facebook.


Thinking about the quote from Elder Nelson, I really started to think about why so many things like this have been going on in my life. Friends have gotten cancer, people have died, people have gotten in bad situations. I got kind of annoyed last night. I just cried and said, "Why?! This kind of stuff isn't supposed to be happening to me and my friends. This is only supposed to happen to other people. People I don't know." but that is just it; it does. It happens to everyone. Morgan was ready to meet his Father in Heaven. Not saying that I want to die or anything, but I cannot wait until I can face death in the face and say, "I am prepared to meet my Father in Heaven and Savior Jesus Christ." The thought of being prepared for anything to happen really is magnificent. how may people could say that they would be ready to meet God? I don't think many people know they are.

So what can I do to be more prepared?
That is what we can do. Thomas S. Monson puts it so plainly.

Believe:
Through the winds of change
Encircled by the clouds of pain
I guard it with my life
I need the warmth—I need the light
Though the storm will rage
I stand against the pounding rain
I remain
A keeper of the flame. 1
May you believe and then may you keep the flame of your testimony burning brightly, come what may.

Obey:
My beloved young sisters, you have the precious gift of agency. I plead with you to choose to obey.

Endure:
Finally, may you endure. What does it mean to endure? I love this definition: to withstand with courage. Courage may be necessary for you to believe; it will at times be necessary as you obey. It will most certainly be required as you endure until that day when you will leave this mortal existence.

I love these words. I need to believe, obey, and endure and I will be prepared to meet my Father.

So remember,
"If we are well prepared, death brings no terror. From an eternal perspective, death is premature only for those who are not prepared to meet God." 
-Elder Russell M. Nelson