Some Go Young

Recently a fellow peer of mine passed away. He was hiking the Y mountain and had a tragic accident. He was only 22 years old. We were both members of the Cougar Marching Band. Despite not being in the same section and only being members of the same band it still saddens me. The marching band is a family to me away from my family while I am in Utah so something likes this really hits me. I remember him always smiling and enjoying each moment in the band. He will surely will be missed by all in the band.  

His death brought back memories and struggles I have had with death especially with the death of young people I have known. The first time I had to face the death of someone was when I was 7 years old. I remember it clearly when my mother told me my older cousin passed away. He was only 17 years old, one week away from high school graduation. I asked my mother why he died so young. At this point in my life I thought only old people died. Her response was something along the lines of "because God needed him in Heaven more than we did." For a 7 year old it helped me understand there were things to be done in Heaven after one had passed away. At that point in my life I didn't fully understand what happened after death but my mother's answer would be something I would and will refer to in the years to come.

Many young people have died, young people who wouldn't get to experience many of life experiences. When I was 15 years I had to deal with this again. Someone who I grew up in primary passed away and he as well was only 17 years old. At this point I felt anger toward God because He let someone so young die without experiencing so many things in life. I was wondering why he would let this young man along with other youth and children who die so young. I began to question this a lot. I went back to the answer my mother gave me years before, "because God needed [them] in Heaven more than we did." Sometimes we don't know what God has in store for each one of yes. He has a bigger plan that we can't understand. He doesn't forget about any of His children. The Plan of Salvation exists for all. No one is lost after death, no matter how long they live during this mortal state. The blessings of the Gospel gives one hope and a peace of mind.  

Yes at first I was feeling, "why God, why?" But I remembered what my mother told me, "because God needed him in Heaven more than we did." My prayers go out to his family. He is playing the French horn in Heaven for all to hear and preaching the Word of God to many.  

"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." Alma 40:11-12