I had a great conversation with a friend the other day.
It's rare when spiritual topics come up, i love it when they do!
My friend had seen a movie called, Heaven is for Real, and she was telling me about it.
It's a true story about a 4 year old boy who almost dies from his appendix bursting.
After, when things are back to normal this boy relates his experiences during that period.
Things like: he sat on Jesus's lap, he met a sister who was miscarried, he met a great grandpa, it looked like earth but a lot more beautiful.
My friend is Catholic and I'm not sure what the doctrine is exactly about life after death but she acted as though these were new ideas and something to think about.
Nothing sounded odd to me. In fact, it went along with everything that I believe.
Alma 40:11-12 says:
Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.
And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.
We were having this conversation at Happy Hollow, an amusement park for little children. Her 16 month old daughter and Charlie were wandering in separate directions with swarms of other children around. The setting for this conversation was not ideal. We tried with little success.
This friend likes to talk about things that matter and she is sincere. I have loved getting to know her here in California.
There was SO much i wanted to share with her at that moment but couldn't because of the circumstances.
If i had had the perfect setting these are the things i would have shared.
1. I believe that God is a physical being who is glorified and immortal. His son Jesus Christ also has a physical body. He was resurrected 3 days after his death on the cross.
2. I know this because God spoke to a young boy in the 1800's who was seeking truth. Joseph Smith was confused by all the confounding doctrine. After much study and prayer he decided to specifically ask God what church to join. God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him to reveal truth!
3. Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet in this modern day.
4. New scripture was revealed to add a second witness to the Bible and to clear up the confounding doctrines, its called The Book of Mormon.
5. There is a Prophet and 12 apostles today who work under the direction of Jesus Christ. This is His church.
My heart is just pounding thinking about it. And this is just skimming the surface!
Well the circumstances weren't right but later we were talking about the missionaries. She also served a couple humanitarian missions for her church. We shared our separate experiences with our service. I asked if the sisters in her area could come visit with her. She was interested.
I always thought that sharing my beliefs was hard.
I am starting to get a better picture that its all about love and friendship.
When you are friends with someone you share what you love and you be who you are.
Making these friendships is so much more important than i ever thought it would be!
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