The Wonderful Gift of The Atonement

Maj. Brad T. Funk

90th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot

Believe in Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Redeemer, the Son of God, who came to earth and walked the dusty roads of Palestine-the Son of God-to teach us the way of truth and light and salvation, and who, in one great and glorious act offered an atonement for each of us. He opened the way of salvation and exaltation for each of us, under which we may go forward in the Church and kingdom of God. Be not faithless, but believe in the great and wonderful and marvelous blessings of the Atonement.

Gordon B. Hinckley

Last night, I found out that a friend of ours, who was in our ward back in Florida, passed away last year. Brad was a pilot in the Air Force. More importantly, he was a husband and a father. The love that Brad had for his wife and children was amazing. Friday was the year anniversary of his death. He had such a great testimony of the gospel and the atonement. For Brad's family, they know that they get to spend the rest of eternity with him. And what a wonderful gift that is.

As I have been thinking about Brad and his family over the last 24 hours, a lot of things have come to light for me. We are not promised tomorrow. I know that I have a very hard time forgiving others when I have been hurt. I know that I have made alot of mistakes in my life. I know that I have alot more to learn in my life. But, I also know that when we don't know what tomorrow will bring, today is when we need to mend fences with those who have hurt us or the ones whom we have hurt. Today is when we (me) need to learn to forgive and forget. Today is when we should open our hearts and minds so that we are able to learn all that Heavenly Father wants us to learn. We should live today as there is no tomorrow for we don't know what tomorrow will bring.

We will miss you Brad! For his family, ya'll are in our thoughts and prayers.