Kenneth James Barrale

Many of us spend our lives looking for something to hold on to, somethign that will last. We look for ways to avoid aging or to become famous or rich. But we eventually realize that this mortal life if temporary. I'd like to share with you what Ken came to belive during his turn here on Earth.

Ken believed that our hope and happiness lie in knowing who we are, where we came from, and where we can go. He discovered that we are eternal beings, spirit children of an eternal God. Our lives can be compared to a three-act play: pre-mortal life (before we came to earth), mortal life (our time here on earth), and post mortal life (where we go after we die, the life Ken has just begun). God has had a plan for our lives since the beginning of the first act- a plan that, if followed, provides comfort and guidance now, as well as salvation and eternal happiness in our post-mortal life. Understanding that plan helped Ken live a happier life now and in eternity.

Ken learned that God is the Father of our spirits. We are created in His image. We have a divine nature and destiny. We can look up at the sky at night and see a never-ending universe. There are billions of stars and planets, all in perfect order. They did not get there by chance. We can also see the work of God on earth. The beautiful plants, the variety of animals, the mountains, the rivers, the clouds that bring us rain and snow-all these testify to us that there is a God.

Even though God is the Creator of all things, we enjoy a relationship with Him that is unique from all of His other creations. We are all His spirit children, literally the sons and daughters of God and He has created us in His image. That's why we call Him our Father in Heaven. He knows us individually and loves us more than we can comprehend, and He wants us to find happiness. Our Father in Heaven wants us to known where we came from and where He wants us to go.

Before we were born, we lived with God in heaven as spirits. All of our spirit brothers and sisters were there, too-look to your left and your right...Everyone you see around you is a son or daughter of God, our Heavenly Father.

Perhaps the greatest gift God gave all of us is the gift of agency, or the right to choose for ourselves. Coming to earth is part of God's plan for us to gain a physical body and learn to choose between good and evil and thus increase in wisdom and faith. When we were born, we forgot our pre-earch life, which means we have to live by faith rather than our memory of God and our life before we came here.

Ken came to know that during our time on earth we make choices and distinguish right from wrong. Because God loves us and wants us to receive the blessings that come from following His plan. He has provided ways for us to stay connected to Him. Prayer is an important way we stay connected with our Heavenly Father.