Words of Comfort: A Short Season

"I know that my testimony is true; hence, when I talk to these mourners, what have they lost? Their relatives and friends are only separated from their bodies for a short season: their spirits which existed with God have left the tabernacle of clay only for a little moment, as it were; and they now exist in a place where they converse together the same as we do on the earth."

~Joseph Smith
(History of the Church, 6:302–3, 310–11, 315–16; from a discourse given by Joseph Smith on Apr. 7, 1844, in Nauvoo, Illinois; reported by Wilford Woodruff, Willard Richards, Thomas Bullock, and William Clayton; see also appendix, page 562, item 3.)

I like how the Prophet pointed out the we are only separated from our loved ones "for a short season." Compared to the eternity we get to spend together, our time on earth really isn't that long. I also found comfort in the insight given on the spirit world. My baby is not scared and alone; he is surrounded by many people with whom he can hold conversations. I am sure that he has made many friends and that he has gotten to know many of our family members who have also left this world. I find comfort in knowing that he is not sad or alone.

My Angel Baby

Two weeks into our marriage, I learned that we would be having a honeymoon baby. I could not have been more thrilled. From the moment I found out I was expecting, I loved our baby more than I have ever loved anyone. After nine months and three days of being married, we welcomed our beautiful baby boy into the world. From the very beginning, Riley was so bright and alert. He was the most perfect baby I could ever have imagined. He had Daddy's dimples, and Mommy's big, brown eyes, and a smile that could light up any room. You could not have met prouder parents than us. We spent four perfect months together. Then our lives changed forever.

To make a long and painful story short, we lost our darling prince to SIDS. I was 21 and my husband a mere few days over 23 when we buried our beloved Riley.

14 months and one baby later, I have experienced and learned so much. I hope that I can offer strength, support, and comfort to anyone else who has ever had to say an unexpected goodbye to a child.

Riley Allen Lund ~ June 1, 2009 - October 7, 2009