Death and Marriage

Introduction

Death and marriage is an interesting subject when we discuss God's more excellent way. Recently, I started re-reading a series, Children of the Promise by Dean Hughes, about an LDS family during World War II. In this series one of the siblings is killed in action. The story discusses the heartache of his fiance who started working for this kid's family, and who had practically become part of the family. In a conversation discussing this young woman the mom of the family says, “She works for us, and I'm not so sure that's the best thing for her. She probably needs to break away from us and forget about the life she thought she was going to have.” Her youngest daughter then said, “I don't want [her] to marry anyone else. I want her to marry [my brother]—in heaven.” I changed the names in case you ever decide to read this series.

Although this story is about a fictional family, it makes a good point. What happens when God or even man takes away the life of someone we love; someone we felt we were destined to be with? The question returns to are we going to trust God?

My Brother
On a little more personal note, this same thing happened to my brother. A little over a year ago, my brother met a girl that he completely adored. Now, my family has not brought forth the most outgoing, popular men in the country. For example, I did not kiss a girl until I was 25, and she is now my wife. Although this brother had not followed in my footsteps as far as that is concerned, he didn't have the best of luck with women either. He finally had a girl he adored, and she adored him back. She planned to move to Utah where they could become officially engaged and finish their schooling together. In addition, his future was finally looking bright. He had gotten a job besides McDonald's and was pursuing a degree that looked promising.

About a month after he had visited this girl and prepared these plans for engagement, my brother was driving through the canyon to his new job. Apparently, the roads were a little icy. He probably hit the last patch of ice that spring until the following winter. His car spun into the lane next to him, where he met a semi at full speed. My brother was killed instantly.

Where is God's more excellent way? Honestly, I don't know yet. However, I do know that God is there and is mindful of us. I hope that some day I can finish this story with the answer to that question, at least in part. What I can do is give you some examples that show there is wisdom in his more excellent way. I don't believe the more excellent way lies where the girl from the book suggested, however. I know my brother was a good kid, the only thing he did wrong was get angry at his older brother who picked on him a little too often. So, I do believe the Lord's going to take care of him. But I don't believe those left in mortality should put their lives on hold so that they can be married in heaven.

I Will Fulfill
In the July Ensign, there was a story about a girl who took longer to get married than she wanted. She believed the gospel teaching that states that we should be married, which I'm afraid too many women take too serious and a few women and men take too lighthearted. She became frustrated that it was taking so long. Then, she read the account found in the Doctrine & Covenants disbanding Zion's Camp, section 105. Verse 13 says, “It is expedient . . . that mine elders should wait for a little season.” Although not an Elder, she realized this scripture was talking to her, so she continued to read. “. . .For as I said in a former commandment, even so I will fulfill—I will fight your battles.”

Although I don't know what's in stored for this girl, I do know that the Lord will fulfill his promises. If she will but wait a little season and trust His loving guidance, she will find that more excellent way. Another great example is Abraham and Sarah as they desired and were promised children; I will discuss this topic in greater detail next week.

God's More Excellent Way

Introduction
While I was studying the Book of Mormon, looking specifically for powerful one liners, I came across this amazing line in Ether chapter 12 verse 11, "God prepared a more excellent way." As I contemplated this phrase, I realized that God knows a lot more than we do. We think we know what way we need to go, but then God tries to send us in a different direction. Sometimes it is God who sent us on the path we were on in the first place only to get us to his path.

The Law of Moses
For example, the entire verse reads, “Wherefore, by faith was the law of Moses given. But in the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way; and it is by faith that it hath been fulfilled.” The Jews were on the correct path as they followed the law of Moses. Many people are amazed at what they did to Jesus, but imagine what it would have been like for these people. They grew up believing that the Law of Moses was the truth, and it was. Many probably received answers to prayers telling them that Judaism was the way. Then this young man comes and claims that he is the Son of God. He had come to fulfill the law1 by bringing a higher law. Of course there were those pharisees and sadducees who were seeking for their own personal gain; however, I suppose there were some in that midst who simply did not soften their hearts to listen to God's more excellent way.

Zion's Camp and Other Stories
In pondering this phenomenon, I thought about other instances where God prepares surprisingly contrary, but more excellent ways. Some of these are good examples of people who listened, but some are people who would not follow the more excellent way. I thought about how Zion's Camp journeyed 900 miles from Kirtland, Illinois to Missouri in hopes to relieve the persecution of Latter-Day Saint members. After walking all that distance, the Lord told them to return home. What they didn't know was that nine of the twelve apostles and all of the members of the seventy would come from that camp.2 In addition, the next prophet, who had marched in this army, would one day lead thousands of pioneers across a similar distance from Nebraska to Utah. 3 I thought of many other examples such as when Joseph was sold into Egypt so that he could save his family from the famine, David O. McKay's (I think it was David O. McKay) story about turning down an investment opportunity that would have made him very wealthy, All of the circumstances that lead Moses to become a prince of Egypt and then a Prince of God.

Unfortunately there are also stories of people who did not follow the Lord's excellent way. For example, Saul was instructed to wait for the Lord's prophet, Samuel who would perform a sacrifice and lead the Israelites to victory. However, Saul lost hope and offered the sacrifice himself. From this one event, he lost the kingdom. Matthew tells of the rich, young man who comes to the Savior asking what he needs to do to enter the kingdom of heaven. Christ tells him to sell all that he hath and “follow me.” Unfortunately the young man does not have faith enough to follow this more excellent way.

Purpose of this Blog
I know that there are many, many examples of how the Lord has prepared a more excellent way than we originally thought. I originally planned to make this a book; however, after much pestering from my wife and from the spirit, I decided to create this blog. Perhaps this blog is the more excellent way. I will be researching and compiling these and similar stories that show the ultimate wisdom in choosing God's way. Feel free to add any comments, especially if you have examples that expound upon the current subject. In addition, if you have a story that you feel is appropriate and would like me to create a separate post for it, please email me your stories at writemcgee@gmail.com with all the relevant information. I will keep your name and information anonymous unless you specify otherwise.

Thy Will Be Done
Allow me to share one more story to end this blog. I had a religious teacher quote the Savior's words in a way I'd never thought about before. He said, “ There will come a point in your life when you have a choice. Either you will have to say to God, 'Thy will be done and not mine.' or God will have to say to you, 'Thy will be done and not mine.” I hope that we can have the faith we need to choose God's more excellent way. Let us remember that it is by faith that it hath been fulfilled.