A small sliver of my testimony

I'm not one to usually pour out my deep feelings on my blog, however, I feel it necessary to do so today. I simply have a desire to record a portion of my testimony, though simple, as it has grown in insurmountable proportions over the past few days. The rapid growth, unfortunately, has been due to a tragic experience that one of my best friends from high school has had to endure. Not many people read my blog, and of those few people, the majority of them are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Today, I want to gear my words towards those few friends who don't happen to be active in the same church as I. Perhaps they can learn a little something about why I truly love the church that I belong to.

My friend, Amy (Williams) Alleman, has suffered a major loss this past week. Her dear husband, Michael, was killed in Iraq. When I heard the news, I was completely shocked and just broke down in tears. It tore my heart to pieces and I truly ache beyond belief for my friend. Michael was a wonderful husband, father, and man. He served his family and our nation all the way to the end. He and Amy had one of those one-of-a-kind relationships where even after 7 years of marriage, the fireworks still went off after every single touch. Michael is truly a hero in all aspects of the word, and there is nothing that I can do to fully pay him back for his ultimate sacrifice. But although a hero has died in Iraq, another hero remains in American Fork, UT. Amy is left on this Earth without a husband and two young boys to care for and continue to raise in righteousness. She will, no doubt, have difficulties. However, Amy is a very strong woman and I'm positive that she will handle everything with flying-colors.

Amy and Michael have a very special bond with one another that will last forever, a type of eternal life-insurance. It didn't cost a dime. They simply have to earn it by living righteously and keeping the covenants that they made inside of the Holy Temple of the Lord. They, like many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, myself included, were married and sealed for time and all eternity in one of God's Holy Temples. No other religion in this world offers such a wonderful blessing to its worthy members. This incredible blessing of being sealed for eternity with the love of your life does wonders to soften the sting of death. Sadness will obviously still be felt in the occurrence of death, as such feelings are nearly impossible to avoid. However, amidst the seemingly overwhelming sadness, a vibrant feeling of hope will arise and provide you with peace and comfort. Death is not the end, but a mere beginning of a new and more glorious existence where, eventually, you will be reunited with your loved ones and have the blessed opportunity of growing throughout the eternities with one another. After Amy's earthly mission is completed, she will leave this estate and experience a joyful reunion with her heroic husband. There is no doubt in my mind about that. This is just one of the many reasons why I feel so blessed to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My heart goes out to you, Amy, and you will always be in my thoughts and prayers.