Family Life and Friendship Network

I've just learned that our old friend--and my wife's old missionary room mate--has passed away. I'm filled with mixed feelings. Although I'm happy that Julie is now truly at peace, and free from sickness beyond the mortal realms, I greatly miss her, your warm smile, and the good times we had with her and her family.

My grandfather passed away last year, and since then I've thought a lot about life and death. The fact that our mortal lives are a very small part of the span of our entire eternal lives, is pretty amazing to me. We, all of us, as children of an Eternal Being, are all Eternal Beings. We've existed for probably millions of years as premortal spirits, and our intelligence has never had a beginning. We all have a grand destiny to not only one day return and live with our Heavenly Father, but to one day become like him.

Julie, like my grandfather, has taken the next step toward that destiny. She has kept both her first and second estate, and will therefore have glory added upon her forever and ever. She is now beyond the reach of any pain, harm, or temptation of Satan, and is free to do the work she has been called to the Spirit World to do.

At times like these, I'm very grateful for our knowledge of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Because of his wonderful sacrifice all those years ago, we all have the opportunity to repent of our sins and be resurrected. Because of the Atonement, we know that we will see Julie again some day.

I'm very happy for Julie, and am equally happy that she has such a wonderful eternal companion, who remains on Earth among us, to care for their children. Brandon is such an amazing guy. Considering all he has been through these past few years, forgetting himself and caring for his wife and children, I know that I personally have nothing to complain about...nothing I've experienced even compares. He's a great example for all of us, showing us the way to act and be in the face of incredible adversity. The Lord must have something great in store for him and his family.

I wish I had the means to travel down to Utah to be with Brandon and his kids, but I know that he has both his and Julie's family, and hundreds of friends to help him with whatever he needs. I hope he knows how much I and my family care for him, and that our thoughts and prayers are with him. May the Lord guide you and protect you, Brandon.