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By Brent Roberts
Guest Columnist

Last weekend, I attended two funerals. 

At both, the beautiful hymn “Amazing Grace” was sung by the congregation. 

As we sang, I pondered on grace, which has been defined as “the divine help or strength extended to us through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ.” 

Grace is the power through which we can overcome the two obstacles that separate us from God: physical and spiritual death. 

Sooner or later, we will all pass through the portal of death. But the scriptures are clear: We are eternal beings, and mortal death is not the end. 

In The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, we read: “The spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body…are taken home to that God who gave them life” (Alma 40:11). 

Thanks to the Resurrection and Atonement of Jesus Christ, we will each be resurrected. 

As Paul wrote the Corinthians: “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). 

The Book of Mormon prophet Alma taught of the universal nature of the resurrection: “The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form…Now this restoration cometh to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous” (Alma 11:42-44). 

It is this understanding of the temporary nature of physical death that takes the sting out of losing loved ones. We know that we will see them again.

Spiritual death, brought on by the effects of sin, also separates us from our Heavenly Father. 

John the Baptist taught of the need to repent: “Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2), and Jesus declared that “joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:7). 

Daily repentance, or turning away from our sins, and relying on the grace of Jesus Christ brings enabling power into our lives. We are strengthened to resist temptation, keep God’s commandments, and overcome the difficulties of life.

Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, testified: “Because of the Savior’s sacrifice, we have access to His healing power. He will heal our hearts, give us strength when we are weak, enable us to do things we never could do on our own, and heal us from sin when we repent.” 

The knowledge of God’s fabulous plan brings peace. When separated from loved ones through physical death, we can remember that this is only a temporary parting. When we realize that our actions have fallen short of our beliefs, we can follow the steps toward Christ to overcome sin and become clean again.

Grace, available through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, makes overcoming the world and returning to God possible.

“His grace has brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.” 

DR. BRENT ROBERTS is the Bishop of the Sandy River Ward, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and also Assistant Provost for Academic Outreach and Dean of Greenwood Library at Longwood University. He can be reached at brentsroberts@hotmail.com.