Is there a purpose in the afterlife? This is the story of Steve. Steve shares his experience in the spirit world. He talks about the state of those spirits who know Christ, and those who don't know Christ.
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It's 3:31am. The house is quiet and dark. I am sitting at my desk for my appointed time to meet with the next spirit who has a story to tell. My assistant in the spirit world, Theodore, is with me, as always.
Steve shows up and starts to share his experience. He comes and sits in the chair across from me. I listen, and write his story as he tells it to me.
Joining the spirit world
Steve and Bill were running uphill
And just about to get lost.
The well that was dug was present still,
But no longer capped off like they thought.
"We were best of friends," Steve begins. "That fateful day, we were running and playing and suddenly we fell into this big hole. We fell a long ways, it was scary. We couldn't get out and no one found us. Thankfully, we weren't there too long before we passed.
When we got here, we were just as lost. We were only boys. 12 and 13. No one had ever talked about God. In fact, our homes were pretty rough and tumble. There wasn't much softness in them, although we knew that we were loved. It was just rough. Any talk about something like God or spirits would have been seen as too soft and pussy like.
Once we adjusted a bit, things were actually pretty cool. There was a lot to do and to explore, and no one to tell us what we could or couldn't do. We did this for a very long time. Eventually, though, we got bored."
Finding purpose in the afterlife
Steve goes on:
"It seemed like there might be something that had some more meaning than what we were doing? One can only play for so long before a sense of purpose is needed. At least that's what we felt.
We started searching for something to do that had purpose. Meaning. It was during this time that I lost Bill."
(Steve is still talking, but I'm not hearing anything. He comes back to my ears and his story continues.)
"When I finally returned, it was just me. I was so very sad to lose him. I don't know if we'll ever be able to get him back. I felt lonely without him. I spent some time in this sadness, but then started my search again.
I started to really observe the world around me. Not just seeing things to do, but watching the people there.
I noticed there were two main types of people.
Some were grey and dark, and some were very bright. These bright ones were far fewer in number, but they were intriguing to me. The would come and go in a way that was curious. It was like they didn't live where we did."
(Everything has gone silent again. Theodore is gone, too. Then I receive this poem.)
Steve's State
I sit and I wait,
I stare at the gate,
And seek for a way to get in.
The ones living there are different from me,
Light, bright and free now from sin.
Bereft of all guile,
Freed from the glue,
Stuck and wandering no more.
But one way and one way only will do,
That's following the Savior for more.
His way is the truth, His way is the path,
The one that leads to peace.
All others there are, and many there be,
That give only false relief.
We seek and we find, according to will,
What we are looking to bring us home still.
But many don't know and don't care to ask
If the one they are following can do the right task!
It's important to know,
For those still on earth,
The time they have is precious.
Use it wisely and use it for good,
If what you seek after is righteous.
Follow the Savior if you know his name,
Do the things he asks.
Keep you heart pure and your mind free from mire,
And you'll never any more to lack.
Steve seems quiet now, and I sense his sadness.
"I don't know if I have any family who know about Jesus. I don't know how to reach them to tell them. Will you tell them for me?"
Purpose here on earth, and in the afterlife
That was the end of my meeting with Steve. He and Theodore both left, Theodore with his customary "Good work, Ms. Bessire."
What we do here matters. When we die, we don't magically transform into something or someone different. As we see from Steve's story, we still have to seek for the light. The true light is Jesus Christ. It is he who brings the freedom and peace we desire.
Steve's story is very much like Karen's story. She, too, was lost after she died. She met these beings of light, who teach the gospel of Jesus Christ in the spirit world.
The prophet Alma said: "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors." (Alma 34:32).
I know that when we seek after righteousness and seek to do that which is good, it will lead us unto Christ and will bring us peace in this world.
I love this scripture from John. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
If you already follow Christ, continue to seek after him. Discover your purpose and the work you have to do. Find a way to do it, even little bits at a time. What you do matters. He will guide your path.
Main image from freestocks-photos on PIxabay.
