The Plan of Salvation

I've been talking to my kids quite a bit about life, death and family over the past couple of days. Their uncle Kevin is the first person they've ever known to die, and it has brought up a lot of questions.

Before we came to earth we lived together with our heavenly parents. They taught us and prepared us to come to earth, where we would be given physical bodies and free agency. We knew that it would not be an easy journey. Trials and hardships would be experienced by all - both the righteous and the unrighteous. But if we remain faithful to our covenants and come unto Christ, we can overcome the trials and be strengthened by them.

When we die, our spirits leave our bodies and enter the spirit world, where we await resurrection and judgement. We will not be alone but will be greeted by family members who have passed on before us. Those who have not heard about the gospel while on earth will be given that opportunity and can choose whether or not to accept it.

Because Jesus Christ overcame death and was resurrected, we will all be resurrected too. Our bodies will become perfect and immortal. We will then be judged by our choices we made on earth. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven of our sins and enter into God's presence.

I know that we will all see Kevin again. My greatest blessing is being married to Dave, with children sealed to us for time and all eternity. I am so thankful for family. As Dave said after receiving the phone call about his brother, nothing else really matters.