David

 David Mark Robbins

Last week while we were on vacation, Nate's dad called to let us know that Nate's brother had died. We live 2000 miles away, David was 17 years older than Nate, and we only got to see David at family reunions if we were lucky enough to be in Utah at a time when the family was all getting together. And yet despite the small amount of time we spent with David, his death has impacted our hearts so heavily. Our great family is such a wonderful gift in our lives. We feel so sad about the distance between us and so much of our family. Some of that is more than physical distance. Nate was able to spend the weekend with his family, and we are so grateful he was able to be there. If we think of things with eternity in view, knowing that we will associate in families in the life after this one, our relationships here are just the beginning. Rather than thinking that we have gone our whole lives without creating the strong relationships we want, it is helpful for me to think that we are just on the bottom rung of the ladder. We are just getting to know each other now, and we have the rest of our lives on this earth and all of eternity to climb the ladder together, to draw closer to each other, to learn how to really show our love for each other. So, Dave, we love you. We miss you. We look forward to associating with you again in a more perfect place. I am happy that you are now free from the cares of this world, and I am happy to know that our Savior descended below all things in order to succor us through all of our pain, including yours.

This talk by Elder Ballard is wonderful. As David is the second person I have personally known who has ended their own life, I find it incredibly comforting. I am so grateful that our Judge is not only perfect and all-knowing, but He loves us with an infinite love as well.