Grandpa Frank

This is my grandpa Kent and his dad, my grandpa Frank, at his 101st birthday party in January 2011. My great-grandpa was born in January of 1910 and he lived to be 101 years and 10 months old. I got a call yesterday from my mission "mom" (our mission president's wife) telling me that he passed away. I was surprised to hear that he had gone. I had sort of known to expect it. When I said goodbye to him in May, I imagined it would be the last time I would get to see him in this life, but at the same time there was a part of me that imagined that he would be around forever. 

The more I think about that though, the more I realize that that idea that has been in my head all of these years is true. He will be around forever, all of us will.

Now here is the part where people begin to roll their eyes and say, well of course, he's in heaven now, or he's in a better place. I know that he is in a sort of heaven now, which is a better place. I know that because I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and in it, a prophet of God, Alma states,

"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

I know that Sunday night, my great grandpa's spirit was taken home to Heavenly Father. I know that he was a good man who lived a good life, I know that because of that he will be able to enjoy some peace and rest. I also know that he never fully accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ in his lifetime. So I know that he now has the opportunity to learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father's plan of happiness.* I know that in the future sacred ordinance work such as baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost will be done for him by proxy in the Lord's temples and he will be given the choice whether or not to accept that work done for him.

I know that if he chooses to accept Heavenly Father's plan and keep His commandments he will be able to live forever with Heavenly Father and Jesus and his family in heaven someday. I know that I will be able to be there with him too, as long as I do everything I can to accept Heavenly Father's plan now and keep His commandments.