I have a remarkable story to share with you today. I hope that it inspires you as much as it inspired me. Since Joey’s death on Monday I’ve been particularly reflective about both the transitory and eternal nature of life. I’ve spent some extra time pondering heavenly things. You could say my heart has been turned a little more “outward and upward.”
Death has a way of putting things into fresh perspective. I miss my Joe! I’m doing pretty good until some little thing will catch me off guard emotionally. For example, this morning I found a clump of his hair in the hall corner. I picked it up and thought about all the thousands of times over the past 14 years I’ve grumbled and ranted about “all that hair everywhere” – how annoying it was to constantly vacuum the house, how much I hated finding hair all over my carpet and clothes. And now, here I was clasping that little wad of hair to my heart and sobbing because he’s gone to the crematory and that’s the “last bit of his hair left on earth I’ll ever touch again”.
Other than a few random emotional outbursts, I’ve really been OK. I’ve felt an overwhelming peace. I’ve been very moved by all of the amazing comments and messages I’ve received on the blog, social media accounts and even little notes on my doorstep. Thank you. I’m always going to miss that sweet furry boy, and so many people understand and have felt that loss. It’s going to take time to adjust to how empty and quiet my house feels. But, I know he’s happy and pain-free. And I wouldn’t trade my sorrow for never having known the joy.
“We can’t fully appreciate joyful reunions later without tearful separations now. The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life.”
– Russell M. Nelson, The Doors of Death, April 1992
The scriptures and revelation – both ancient and modern – teach us that all things were created spiritually before they were created physically. Death is a separation of the spirit from the body. The body dies, but the spirit is eternal and cannot die – it continues to live. In our future, thanks to the great cleansing, healing and restoring power of Christ’s Atonement, the spirit will be reunited with its body as a perfect, glorified soul. Whether a soul be human or animal, the gospel applies.
Death is only a temporary condition. Life is eternal.
Since being featured on LDS Living, this post has enjoyed heavy traffic. To learn more about what the gospel teaches us regarding animals on earth and in the afterlife, here are some of my favorite resources:
- The Gospel and Animals – Ensign, Aug. 1972
- Man’s Dominion – Hugh W. Nibley, New Era, Jan. 1981
- Resurrection of Animals – A BYUI pdf document compiling lds quotes & doctrine
- Where Do Animals Fit In The Eternal Plan of Things? – Liahona, March 1979
- Do Animals Have Spirits? What Happens To Them After They Die? – Liahona March 2012
Don’t you LOVE that quote? Isn’t that the most beautiful thing to ponder? We are “the dust of eternity”. This is the full quote by LDS Apostle Joseph B. Wirthlin:
We are sons and daughters of an immortal, loving, and all-powerful Father in Heaven. We are created as much from the dust of eternity as we are from the dust of the earth. Every one of us has potential we can scarcely imagine.
No matter our age, circumstances, or abilities, each one of us can create something remarkable of his life.
– Joseph B. Wirthlin, The Abundant Life, April 2006 General Conference
With that in mind, here is the amazing and inspiring story I promised to share with you that illustrates, literally, the power and potential of each child of God to “create something remarkable” of our life.
Meet Sargy Mann
What will you create? – MoSop
Latter-day Soprano 
All I can say is WOW! I started college in 1960 as an art major, painting was my main area. I got interrupted when my father died and I had to drop out, then marriage and kids, so I kept putting off getting back into it. I tried one painting class in 1998, but due to the demands of my job, I had to drop it. Now, I’m retired and have nothing but time. This man is so amazing. His determination that blindness won’t keep him from the gift God has given him is just amazing. When I moved into my new apartment in Feb., I got out some of my old paintings and hung them up. Tonight I was looking at them and actually said to God, why did you give me this talent and what do you want me to do with it. After seeing Sargy, I have no excuse. God bestows gifts on us, but it’s up to us to make use of them. My youngest son gave me a $20 gift certificate to an artist supply store for Christmas. I’ve decided to finally use it. This story was so inspiring. It’s amazing what the human spirit can do.
I’m glad to hear that you are doing okay where Joey is concerned. It just takes time. No rush. God will get you through it.
Love, Lynne
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Lynne you continually amaze me! What haven’t you done? I’m glad that you are inspired to start using your art talent again. Enjoy yourself! And Send me a picture of your painting when it’s done. 🙂
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Could be a little while. I’m trying to get over an upper respiratory infection. I was in the hospital over the weekend. I went to the ER because I thought I had pneumonia. I didn’t, but while there they took blood and found that my sodium level was dangerously low, to the point that I could have had convulsions. So, they put an IV in my arm and over the next 2 days put 2 3/4 bags of saline solution in my veins. My level still isn’t where it should be, but it’s a lot better. Still feeling rather weak, and still coughing a lot. I’m dreaming of Springtime, but with my allergies, that’s not a cure either. I may just have to paint the view from my apt., which isn’t a bad view. I’ll send you a picture, but don’t look for it for about a month.
Lynne
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So sorry to hear that. Take care!
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What happens to the animals we eat? They are killed…, are we liable for their deaths? Please tell me… I am sad and concerned.
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Hello Heidi – Here is an excerpt of an excellent church article that may help you.
In March 1831, it was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that though vegetarianism was not to be enforced as a doctrine for mankind, men were still responsible for their killing of animals.
“And whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God;
“For, behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance.
“And wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need.” (D&C 49:18–19, 21.)
You can read the entire article here: “The Gospel and animals”
President George Q. Cannon, 1827-1901 (LDS Apostle and First Presidency member ) said the following:
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This is so awesome, Holly! From your precious dog to this man who paints blind, what a beautiful post! It gives me hope that, as the scriptures say, all things are possible through Christ which strengtheneth me!
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