For the last few months, I’ve been binge watching the various “Star Trek” television series. It’s been fun introducing episodes I enjoyed as a child to my own children.

Recently, I watched an episode where two of the characters were discussing life-after-death matters. One of the characters appeared to be troubled as she pondered her own beliefs.

“If I die, everything that I have accomplished … everything I achieved as an individual will be lost — my memories, my experiences. It will be as if they, as if I, never existed.”

Her crewmate assured her that she was much more memorable than she was giving herself credit for and that she had made an impact on everyone around her.

It was a nice scene, particularly because the two characters didn’t always get along. It was nice to see one of them pick the other up emotionally. But I couldn’t help but wonder if the encouragement was sufficient. It may not be as bleak as the character portrayed it when she said it would be as if she never lived, because certainly people would remember her because of the good things she did, but if the fear was that memories and experiences would be lost at the point of death, well, there’s not much that could be said. They would be. At least, if there’s no knowledge of life after death.

Thankfully, life does continue after death. When we die, it won’t be as if we never existed, because we won’t suddenly stop existing. And we have Jesus Christ to thank. Because he was resurrected, all of us will be resurrected as well.

“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)

Furthermore, we learn from latter-day revelation that what we accomplish and achieve in this life does matter. Memories and experiences aren’t lost forever.

“Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.” (Doctrine and Covenants 130:18-19)

This knowledge has had a profound effect on me throughout my life. It has given me comfort and motivation, especially as I have gotten older. At times when I have felt an urge to relax on my church commitments, I have felt a stronger urge to push forward, knowing that giving in may provide temporary relief but would ultimately have an eternal impact I would not be pleased with.

In those moments, I have had words go through my head similar to what Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, once said.

“Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and he is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never ever easy for him?”

Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, articulated well (as he always does) the importance of the knowledge of the resurrection during an April 2000 general conference address.

“This hope changes the whole perspective of mortal life. The assurance of resurrection and immortality affects how we look on the physical challenges of mortality, how we live our mortal lives, and how we relate to those around us.

“The assurance of resurrection gives us the strength and perspective to endure the mortal challenges faced by each of us and by those we love, such things as the physical, mental or emotional deficiencies we bring with us at birth or acquire during mortal life. Because of the resurrection, we know that these mortal deficiencies are only temporary!

“The assurance of resurrection also gives us a powerful incentive to keep the commandments of God during our mortal lives. Resurrection is much more than merely reuniting a spirit to a body held captive by the grave. We know from the Book of Mormon that the resurrection is a restoration that brings back ‘carnal for carnal’ and ‘good for that which is good.’ (Alma 41:13; see also Alma 41:2-4 and Hel. 14:31) The prophet Amulek taught, ‘That same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.’ (Alma 34:34) As a result, when persons leave this life and go on to the next, ‘they who are righteous shall be righteous still’ (2 Ne. 9:16), and ‘whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life … will rise with us in the resurrection.’ (D&C 130:18)”

As we commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ this Easter, I want to take the opportunity to reaffirm that I know that he is our savior and redeemer. Because of him, we all will have the gift of immortality and the opportunity for eternal life. Because of him, what we do in this life and what we become matters on an eternal level. Because of him, our memories and experiences won’t be lost as if they never happened when we die. I hope we will all have a renewed appreciation for what we know and what is possible because of him.

Contact Ryan Comer at rcomer@standard.net. Follow him on Twitter at @rbcomer8388 and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rbcomer8388.

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