How do you define a Life?

I recently heard about a 26 year-old young woman, married less than a year, and living life. It seemed to be the beginning of a beautiful future. She recently passed away.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I believe that each day is a gift from a loving father above and that no one is promised tomorrow. God is aware of each person upon this earth and even though one’s life may seem to be cut short, he does have a plan. There is a plan to life. This fast paced world consists of business meetings, activities, joy, heartache and lots of individual experiences. In all of the things that occupy our time, what is our real purpose?

We know that a spirit and a body make up our soul. Our bodies were created when we were born into this life, known as our birthday. I believe our spirit existed before but for how long no one knows. In the doctrines of the gospel we learn of something called the plan of salvation. It talks about three stages of life: pre, earth and after. It’s a plan that was created in our pre-lives to help us reach our full potential and become more like the father of our spirits. Here on Earth we are prone to sickness, disease and all manner of affliction. All these things give us experience so that we may learn, but this is only a part of life which helps us to realize its true purpose.

Life is about the little things, those dear moments that bring us great joy. The love of a mother, the laugh of a child, family, friends and acquaintances all play a part. The relationships we have and create are really what matters. Life is about the mastering of our souls as we become better individuals through service, sacrifice and love. After all is said and done we can take comfort in the fact that we will get to see our loved ones again.

Elder L. Tom Perry, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the LDS church has said “Life on earth is of limited duration. There comes a time for all of us when the spirit and the body are separated in death. But because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, we will all be resurrected... Immortality is the gift to every mortal child of our Father in Heaven. Death must be viewed as a portal to a new and better life.”

Age is just a number but somehow we seem to feel more sadness when a younger person is taken rather than one well of years. Thinking about how short life can be and what the meaning of it is causes one to reflect upon this question: What would you write in your own obituary?

Here’s how I would want mine to read:

James C. Saunders, born September 20, 1983 in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Died July 2010 at Provo, Utah. Caring friend and loving brother. A faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. James served a mission for the Church in Riverside, California. In recent years he attended Brigham Young University and recently graduated in Communications. James was known for his honesty, integrity, and sense of right. He was a dependable and a hard worker. He had a passion for culture and a love of art. He often said in later years that his greatest joys in life were spending time with family and friends. Although not married he will be remembered by others as one who was willing to listen, love and serve his fellow man. He is survived by his two brothers, mother & father, several cousins, aunts and uncles. Services will be held Saturday at 2PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Carlsbad, NM and will be presided over by Bishop John D. VandeKraats.

Think about it...