Abe's Letter from the Funeral

Letter from Elder Abraham Clark for Funeral of Laurie Clark August 2009


As I prayed about what the Lord would want me to say today, I felt inspired to share my source of comfort—that well from which I draw peace and solace—with those in attendance. Understanding God’s plan for me and my family has been and is a priceless gift in my life. One that has sustained me through this trial and one that I know will sustain all of you through your individual trials. Understanding God’s love and plan for us brings peace to my soul and the assurance that I will see my mother again.

Before we came to this earth, we lived with a loving Heavenly Father. “The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16). He loves us unconditionally. He wants us to learn and grow, to progress, to gain knowledge, and become like him. For our benefit, he created a plan to come to earth. We knew that earth would not be easy. There would be temptations, hardships, challenges, even tribulation. Yet, we were excited to come to earth because we knew it would help us to grow and allow us to progress eternally.

Many events in this life can seem difficult, unexplained, or unjust. We must remember that, “All things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things” (2 Nephi 2:24) and that “Man doth not comprehend all things which the Lord can comprehend” (Mosiah 4:9). The Lord will do everything he can to help his children to progress and then return to him. It is important to realize that in order to accomplish our goal in this life, we must deal with hardship, otherwise we would never grow.

What comfort can come to a sorrowing soul through the Atonement of Christ. In our behalf, Christ went forth, “Suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind.” He took, “Upon him the pains and the sicknesses of His people” and he took, “Upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind His people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities” (Alma 7: 11, 12). Through Christ we can receive a “full assurance of hope” (Heb 6:11) if we are diligent in following his example on this earth. In this life, we can always turn to Christ and know that he has suffered more than we could ever suffer. He has a perfect knowledge of all of our pain. If we will turn toward him, he will comfort us and assure us of our father’s love. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Our Heavenly Father loved us enough to sacrifice his son to provide a way for us to return to him. Our savior, Jesus Christ, manifests his love for us by being willing to redeem us from our sins. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Through prayer, we can rely on the atonement to “[bear] our griefs, and [carry] our sorrows” (Mosiah 14:4, Isaiah 53:4). If we do so, Christ promises, “I will not leave you comfortless” (John 14:18). He bids us, “Come unto me, all ye that…are heavy laden…learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Mathew 11:28,29). We must turn to Christ. Have faith in him as our savior. Commit to follow him. Live the way that he lived. As we do this and turn to him in prayer, we will feel his love and comfort as manifested by peace from the Holy Spirit.

At this time of loss, no other knowledge comforts my soul more that the fact that I and my family are members of the same church that Jesus Christ established while he was on the earth. Together, we have a knowledge that someday, we will be reunited and live forever with each other. I know that my mother has accomplished all that she was meant to do in this life and has moved on, as we all eventually will, to a higher calling in the spirit world. The pain that has ruled her mortal body for some time, is finally healed and she is on the path to be, “Taken home to that God who gave [her] life” (Alma 40:11). Now, it is up to us to, “Trust in the Lord with all [our] hear; and lean not unto [our] own understanding. In all [our] ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct [our] paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Our faith must be stronger than this earth. We must lean on the Savior’s atonement, example, and council, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:26-27). I know that God lives. Jesus Christ is His son. The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in its fullness. These are truths I have learned from my mother. These are truths that will allow me to be with her again.

In the name of Jesus Christ,

Amen
Elder Abraham Austin Clark

Baltic Mission