Marriage that Lasts Forever

There have been a lot of things going through my mind recently due to what has happened to some people that I taught while I was a missionary for my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In one family that I taught, the father, Bernardo, recently passed away. I love this family as though they are part of my own family. It seems unreal to me that Bernardo really has died. It has been a hard thing to go through and I wish I could do something more to help the family during this difficult time.
I haven't yet had the opportunity to really process my feelings about this and really come to grips with how I feel. And yet, despite how hard it is, I have a reassuring peace understanding that Bernardo will see his family again. I know that through the gospel of Jesus Christ we can have the opportunity to live with our families forever. It is amazing to me that through making promises with God in sacred buildings called temples, we can be sealed and connected with our family for all time and eternity. Marriage does not need to be "til death do us part."
Bernardo and his wife Maria have done work in the temple and his family is going to finish the process so that they can all be an eternal family. These truths are so important and it's amazing to me that we can share these things over the internet. I have a great hope that maybe something I say here will give others the opportunity to learn how they too can be with their families forever.
Next weekend I will drive down to Los Angeles where another family I taught will have this special service performed called a temple sealing. This service ties a family together for all eternity. It brings me such peace and happiness to think of this family and the blessings that God has prepared for them. I am so grateful to God and how He works in our lives to make it possible for us to be blessed and receive happiness. I know that as we keep trying to do the little things to come closer to Him, He will always reach to us and continue to teach and bless us. I know that God wants us to be married not just for this life, but for all eternity.
Despite how difficult death can be, I know that it is not the end. I know that God has a beautiful plan prepared for us so that we have the opportunity to choose to be with our families forever. I am grateful for that and will continue to do what I need to, to be worthy of those blessings that God has prepared for me.