My brother is dead. My brother in Christ, Jared Johansen passed away a couple of weeks ago. We were missionaries together. He & I were not companions, but we still got the opportunity to go on exchanges and spend time with one another.
When I heard about his passing I searched my missionary journal to find how I felt about him at the time. I commended this Elder Johansen for being intelligent, spiritual & a joy to be around. That was a rare & special thing for me to say at the time.
I have a knowledge of the plan of salvation, and death is a part of that plan. I understand that. I have a much harder time understanding how this happens to a man who isn't even thirty years old yet, who was in excellent physical shape. I mainly struggle with the fact that he has left his wife behind with his 17 month old daughter & his daughter who was born only a few short days ago.
I can handle his passing, but my heart is stomped on & I find myself crying every single time I think about who he has left behind.
I read a story today written by a friend of Jared's, who had personal insight into his final days on Earth. I'll leave a link at the bottom so you can read it too. I promise that God lives and loves each one of us. Families can be eternal. Jared's family will be taken care of, and they will be together again.
I love my family.
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