A sign of the times?

[Traveler]

This week a good and close friend fell down some stairs (his home is a split level so his home has lots of stairs to get anywhere).  This is the second of very close friends to pass within the last 6 months.  Both friends were healthy and life long devoted members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Both served missions to Germany.  Both had profound influences in my life (for the good) and have been close friends for decades (most of my life).  Because of their exceeding strong testimonies and long service I am left to speculate that they are called to serve else where - perhaps that things are being accelerated as an indication or sign of the times.  

I have been somewhat impressed with the number of passing's so very recently.   Some are members that have become less active lately.  But this most recent friend has me concerned.  I am also involved with plans for a birthday celebration of one of my mission presidents that is currently the oldest living general authority (Robert L Backman - emeritus 70) but there is concern that he may pass before his 100th birthday.  I suggested that we proceed with plans for a celebration regardless.  Many would be traveling significant distances.  A side note here - about 1/3 of our missionaries have passed.  It seems to me that much is happening and that changes are occurring at an accelerated rate. 

But then again - perhaps these are just the lamentations of mine that my generation is getting old.

 

The Traveler

Edited February 19, 2022 by Traveler

[NeuroTypical]

Yesterday I ran the camera to broadcast funeral services held at my ward.  The third time I've done it since COVID started the practice of streaming stuff from church.  All 3 were very old, none of them had anything to do with COVID.  This last one was a lady who was born into Nazi occupied Denmark.  Folks relayed stories she'd tell, about going with her papa to hand sandwiches through the wire fence to the concentration camp prisoners.  Many guards were nice enough to allow it, a few were mean (she called them "the uglies") and wouldn't allow it.

[laronius]

On 2/19/2022 at 12:05 PM, Traveler said:

This week a good and close friend fell down some stairs (his home is a split level so his home has lots of stairs to get anywhere).  This is the second of very close friends to pass within the last 6 months.  Both friends were healthy and life long devoted members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Both served missions to Germany.  Both had profound influences in my life (for the good) and have been close friends for decades (most of my life).  Because of their exceeding strong testimonies and long service I am left to speculate that they are called to serve else where - perhaps that things are being accelerated as an indication or sign of the times.  

I have been somewhat impressed with the number of passing's so very recently.   Some are members that have become less active lately.  But this most recent friend has me concerned.  I am also involved with plans for a birthday celebration of one of my mission presidents that is currently the oldest living general authority (Robert L Backman - emeritus 70) but there is concern that he may pass before his 100th birthday.  I suggested that we proceed with plans for a celebration regardless.  Many would be traveling significant distances.  A side note here - about 1/3 of our missionaries have passed.  It seems to me that much is happening and that changes are occurring at an accelerated rate. 

But then again - perhaps these are just the lamentations of mine that my generation is getting old.

 

The Traveler

I have always been fascinated with the question of why people die when they do. Obviously agency plays a big roll but the Lord can intervene if He sees fit to do so. And if the experiences we have in this life are SO important why do some depart so early in life?

Just yesterday I was talking to a friend of mine in a very similar circumstance. He is in his early 60 but has lost two of his closest friends in the last year, one in an auto accident and I think the other from illness. I know there's a lot of work being done on the other side as well but it still makes me wonder why their early departure was not avoided by divine means. 

I guess this is a long-winded way of saying I don't know to your question. Though clearly it has to mean that you still have a ton to work on @Traveler before your time is up. 😄