My Great Aunts funeral
My Grandmas Sister. I wasn't a big interaction but I felt many spirits in attendance at her funeral. One of which was my Grandma who had sent me on my mission. I felt inadequate and said to her something along the lines of how disappointed in me she must be and that is why she hasn't come to visit me very often. She responded that I'm doing quite well and that she hasn't worried about me. That she has been busy with other work.
My In-law experience
It was nothing big but it was a spiritual reference. When my in-laws, were leaving on their mission to Fiji. I went to help my father in-law carry luggage out to the vehicle. I helped him load the luggage and quickly returned towards the house but felt a strong impression to go back where he was, that he wanted to say something. I did as the prompting said. He expressed his heartfelt appreciation for me, that he couldn't have hand picked a better son-in-law for his daughter to marry.
The neighbor
Another was when I was helping to clean out a neighbors garage who had recently passed away. He lost a battle with depression. I can't help but wonder if I could have made a difference by being a friend. We had similar interests He rode a soft tail, I ride a soft tail. He never went to church. I don't go too often. Well he offed himself in the garage and a bunch of neighbors offered to help remodel the garage to help clean out the bad mojo. I volunteered and appear to be spearheading the project. While cleaning off some shelves I happened to be there with a good religious neighbor. I felt prompted to search behind some items on a particular shelf. I didn't know why until I made my way to the back. Hidden there were several cans of beer. Something that I don't consider to be a big deal. But hard core Mormons might. So I discreetly disposed of them while no one was looking.
Something I need to mention. That with each of my spiritual interactions with someone from beyond the veil. Each spirit is very distinctly their own personality. In most cases, the one they were before they died.
My mission presidents funeral
There were many of us missionaries who attended his funeral. We sat in our own section so we could all sing a hymn in Russian. I recall towards the end of the funeral, he came around and was saying his final goodbyes to all in attendance. I don't know how to describe it other than a feeling. He eventually made his way to me and I made it a point to apologize for not being a very good missionary. (I was never good at following mission rules.) He responded that I was one of his best missionaries. That I had a love for the people that was unmatched. And that, that was why he moved me out to Odintsova to help teach the Chintsova family. It was a brief but warm interaction. He had many others to say goodbye to.
Matts funeral:
It came as quite a shock to us at work. The bosses youngest son died. He had actually worked with us. In particular, I worked with him, he and I worked closely for several months while making a target. We had many discussions and got to know one another well.
Leading up to his funeral I was able to, (for lack of a better word) commune with him. And have small interactions. He spent most of that time with his family, I presume. Contrary to how one might think he would feel, he was quite happy. At his funeral, a few fellow employees and I showed up early, so I had some time to interact with him. I felt bold and asked if he could tell how much time I had left. He said there are two dates, one was much more recent like early 40's and the other in the 80's or 90's. The impression I got was that the early one depended on whether or not I take my health and diet seriously, so along the lines of a heart attack or stroke. Which would coincide with my medical records. High blood pressure and cholesterol run in my family and wouldn't you know, my recent physical said I had both. The doctor gave me an ultimatum, lose weight or take meds for it. I'll try the first route for a while and see how that goes.
Based on this experience, I learned that I believe there may be a grace period given to us after we pass on from this life. We are allowed more interaction with our loved ones and friends between the time we die and the funeral. Rules can be bent, they are more flexible, or there is a greater gray area we can work between.
Most of my interactions have been with people who have passed on. Each spirit has their own personality, their own individuality. So there is no doubt in my mind, I do believe in the afterlife.
But do I really believe in God?
Is God an individual Being or an Ideal, a purpose that we beings all strive for?
According to the Mormon teachings, he is a personage, his own being. Separate from Christ. As Christ is his own Being. They know this because God the Father and Christ both appeared to Joseph Smith in person.
But what do I believe? I believe God oversees all things. That He delegates much of the work. In the temple, we learn about the creation. God delegated most of the work through Christ to us. (Represented by Adam) That we were the ones who created this earthly paradise. Through Christs order, delegated from God. It's through our many trials and tribulations when we finally understand that the purpose of this life is to join our purpose to His. That when we leave this mortal existence, our purpose continues.
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