I bet each of you have some friends that are more family than most family is. That's how the Colebrooks are to my family. We would spend Thanksgiving and Christmas together if our separate families weren't traveling back to Utah for the holidays. Some of my best memories growing up include the Colebrook clan. Jordon, the oldest brother of the family, and his sweet wife Hope, just lost their sweet boy, Jordon. When Jor and Hope announced they were having their third baby, I was so excited for them! When they announced it was another boy I was even more thrilled! Jordon Reilly Colebrook was born to goodly parents on July 31, 2015. He went back to our Father in Heaven on September 4, 2015. My heart broke for not only Jordon and Hope, but for their entire family. Throughout the short life that Jordon had on this Earth, I often found myself on my knees praying, pleading with our Father for a miracle. I prayed and prayed for this sweet family. After his passing, I prayed for comfort for them. I prayed that they would have peace. I prayed that they would know that baby Jordon is in great hands. He is not in pain or is not suffering. That he is at peace and he is perfect.
We went and saw my Gami and Grandpa Potter on our way home for Labor Day weekend. I was talking with them about what had happened to my friends. I expressed my heartache for them. My Grandpa Potter simply said, "Some people are too perfect for this world. They need to come to Earth to gain a body and go right back to our Father." He spoke those words with such power. I felt comforted by his words. I know what my Grandpa said is true.
Hope shared a conference talk on Facebook a few days ago. I wanted to share a few quotes from the talk. "What a glorious blessing this is in our lives. Wouldn’t it be tragic if we didn’t feel great sorrow when we lose a child? How grateful I am to my Father in Heaven that He allows us to love deeply and love eternally. How grateful I am for eternal families."
"I testify that because of Him, even our Savior, Jesus Christ, those feelings of sorrow, loneliness, and despair will one day be swallowed up in a fulness of joy. I testify that we can depend on Him and when He said: “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.”
As I was searching for comfort during this time, I found a talk given by President Monson in 1988. I wanted to share a small piece of the talk with you. "Several years ago, the Salt Lake City newspapers published an obituary notice of a close friend—a mother and wife taken by death in the prime of her life. I visited the mortuary and joined a host of persons gathered to express condolence to the distraught husband and motherless children. Suddenly the smallest child, Kelly, recognized me and took my hand in hers. “Come with me,” she said; and she led me to the casket in which rested the body of her beloved mother. “I'm not crying, Brother Monson, and neither must you. My mommy told me many times about death and life with Heavenly Father. I belong to my mommy and my daddy. We'll all be together again.” Through tear-moistened eyes, I recognized a beautiful and faith-filled smile. To my young friend, whose tiny hand yet clasped mine, there would never be a hopeless dawn. Sustained by her unfailing testimony, knowing that life continues beyond the grave, she, her father, her brothers, her sisters, and indeed all who share this knowledge of divine truth, can declare to the world, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning”
I may not be able to completely understand the feelings that Hope and Jordon and their families are currently going through or will continue to feel throughout their lives. But I know, the Savior, even Jesus the Christ, knows exactly how they are feeling. He knows. He knows because when He was suffering for the sins of the world in the Garden, He felt each one of our aches and pains. He felt our hearts break. He felt every sorrow. He took it all upon himself. Jesus Christ suffered for each one of us, because He loves us. He loves you, Hope and Jordon. I testify that families can be together forever. That there is life after death. I testify that the bands of death were broken. I know that these things are possible because of the Savior. I am eternally grateful for my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. I am grateful to know there is life beyond the grave. I am grateful for my Savior, His sacrifice and for His unending and unimaginable love for each of us. "I testify that on that bright and glorious morning of the First Resurrection, your loved ones and mine will come forth from the grave as promised by the Lord Himself and we will have a fullness of joy. Because He lives, they and we shall live also."
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