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2005 February 11

CLOSING REMARKS BY BISHOP DAVID E. SMALLEY
DURING BETTE JO GRAY PINKERTON FUNERAL

Riverside, California

Dear Friends, the Pinkerton Family, Brothers and Sisters,

The spirit shall return unto God who gave it, Ecclesiastes 12: 7.

The writer of Ecclesiastes, a son of David, King in Jerusalem concluded Chapter 12 with the duty of man, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

“For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

Mormon wrote, “For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.”  (Moroni 7: 16)

Alma taught his son Corianton about the plan of happiness.  (Alma 42: 23, 27)  “…mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice…

Therefore, O my son, whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds.”

Paul wrote to the Ephesians about faith.  (Eph. 4: 13)  “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”

Alma taught further about faith.  (Alma 32: 21)  “And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.”

A good example for us is “a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” (Job 1:1)  Satan obtained leave from the Lord to tempt and try Job. Job was rich and had seven sons and three daughters, but his property and children were all destroyed. What effect did this have on Job? Said he, speaking of the Lord, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him,” (Job 13:15) and, “He also shall be my salvation.” (Job 13:16)  Job attested, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” (Job 19:25–26)  Job completely trusted the Lord.

 In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

      
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