Eternal Life is the Ultimate Goal

Greg's grandfather is not long for this earth and, as a result, we've been thinking about mortality a lot lately. His grandfather is not a member of the church (in fact, opposes it) and I'm pretty sure he does not believe in life after death. To this end, Greg was able to go to California to see him (and his other dying grandfather) 'one last time.'

I'm really grateful Greg was able to go, however, it makes me so sad that ones we love think that there's an end. The purpose of this life is to make choices in order to have the happiest eternity possible. Mortality is only the beginning of the journey.

President Thomas S. Monson, at a CES Fireside in February 1999, said:

He who conquered death and atoned for the sins of the world, even Jesus Christ, invited each of us to follow His divine example. 'Follow me' became His kind instruction. Come, 'learn of me,' was His personal invitation to the learning that lasts beyond this life and which endures through eternity.

Where money, rather that mortality, dicates one's actions, one is inclined away from God. Turning away from God brings broken covenants, shattered dreams, crushed hopes and wrecked lives. Such a quagmire of quicksand I plead with you to avoid. You are of noble birthright. Eternal life in the kingdom of our Father is your goal.

Such a goal is not achieved in one glorious attempt; rather, it is the result of a lifetime of righteousness, and accumulation of wise choices---even a constancy of purpose.

Death is a temporary sadness of our earth life, but our loved ones lived on. We still need to live and enjoy our journeys. I hope we always remember the true goal which should guide our choices: a joyous eternal life.