The Certainty that Rises Above Uncertainty” – Sunday, April 13, 1941
The coming of another Easter stirs our thoughts anew to the issues of life, death and immortality. We think much at this season of those whom we cherish who have already departed from us—where are they and when shall we again behold them? These, and many other questions, rise to call for answer.
There are some who feel they have the answer. There are others who deny all possibilities of immortality, and still others who accept it with many limitations and qualifications. They rationalize that the perpetuation of the race is immortality—or that we shall be hereafter something void of that individual identify which we now so unmistakably are. Those who profess the greatest doubts are often most disposed to talking about the subject. Those who have a quiet assurance of their own personal continuance seem little disposed to raise the issue. Thoughtful men are not given to much talk about things they know so well that discussion is pointless.
We don’t quibble as to whether or not spring will come again, and yet that we shall come forth from death to life is more certain than spring’s return. The Savior of the world simply said, without argument and without detailed explanation: “If it were not so I would have told you.” For Him and for His followers—and for all men, the question was settled there—“If it were not so, I would have told you.” In the years that brought his more mature convictions, Ralph Waldo Emerson said simply: “All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.” That so many other great minds have spoken in this same vein is comforting and reassuring—but no matter who chooses to believe or disbelieve it, the facts remain, as the Lord, Himself, has spoken both directly and through is servants, the prophets, one of whom said: “Behold, there is a time appointed that all shall come forth from the dead. Now, when this time cometh, no man knoweth, but God knoweth * * * that all shall rise from the dead.” (Book of Mormon, Alma 40:4,5)
And so, while those who disbelieve still quibble, those who believe find settled assurance of the certainty that we and all those we love and all men of all time shall continue beyond the present, beyond death, unto life everlasting. Of such is the message of Easter. If there be those who doubt it, let them doubt no more. If there be those who mourn, let them take comfort. If there be those who love life, let them prepare to live it—always.
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April 13, 1941
Broadcast Number 0,608