Death is The Dawning of an Age
Death is the dawning of an age. While some fear death, we can, without reservation, choose to live our lives knowing we will one day pass from this earthly state to another. We can choose to live in peaceful and productive anticipation, rather than fear.
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)
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Death: The Dawning of an Age
A comma in mid-sentence,
The turning of a page,
The dawning of an age.
The sunrise after sunset,
The birds that sing in spring,
Being received by family and friends
And all the blessings that they bring.
Passing from this life to another
Is a blessing in disguise,
For life continues forward,
Though unseen by human eyes.
We live to die, and die to live,
Our life today one part of the whole,
The choices we make today, for good or for ill,
Will determine the destiny of our soul.
So cast your lots up in the air,
It won’t matter how they fall,
If death comes now, you’ll be at peace,
If in life you gave your all.
~ Original poetry by C. Mason
The Dawning of an Age Definition: the start of a period of time or the beginning of something new
Examples of Courageous Men and Women
Many courageous men and women throughout history led exemplary lives, devoting themselves to a cause that is eternal in natural, namely, the cause of God. As students of history, what might we learn from these brave and valiant men and women from generations past who did not fear death?
George Washington and Revolutionary War Soldiers
We begin with George Washington. On Tuesday, December 31, 1776, morale in the troops was at an all-time low due to many hardships. Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, George Washington, encouraged his faithful and courageous men to reenlist in the army:
“My brave fellows, you have done all I asked you to do, and more than can be expected; but your country is at stake, your wives, your houses and all that you hold dear. You have worn yourselves out with fatigues and hardships, but we know not how to spare you. If you will consent to stay one month longer, you will render that service to the cause of liberty, and to your country, which you probably can never do under any other circumstances.”
“Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair, the rest is in the hands of God.“
We all know how that war, by the grace of God, turned out. (1 Ne. 13: 17-29) Victory was claimed, in large part, because of George Washington, a valiant leader who was willing to face death in the hour of America’s greatest need.
For America, it was the dawning of a new age.
Similarly, long before George Washington was born, another man bravely fought in the front lines for his wife, his children, his home, his liberty, and his people. His name was Captain Moroni.
Family-Friendly Historical Booklist
Browse the Historical Booklist to find books for all ages
Captain Moroni
When Captain Moroni, the leader of the Nephite armies in the ancient Americas (circa 74 BC), heard of the wicked Amalickiah’s plan to be king, he became angry. Moroni tore his coat to make a flag—standard of liberty. On it he wrote message to inspire the people to defend their families, faith, and freedom.
Alma 46:13
After fastening the title of liberty on the end of a pole and dressing in his armor, Moroni “bowed to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land”. The words on the standard of liberty boldly declared: “In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children”.
“And it came to pass also, that he [Captain Moroni] caused the Title of Liberty to be hoisted upon every tower which was in all the land, which was possessed by the Nephites; and thus Moroni planted the standard of liberty among the Nephites.” (v. 37)
Fighting on the front lines of an actual war for a cause one believes in is not as common in our day as it was in the times of George Washington, Captain Moroni, and the timeless hero, Joan of Arc.
Learn more about Captain Moroni in this free book.
Resources You’ll Love
Books and documentaries bring history to life. Check out some of our favorites on the lives of George Washington and Joan of Arc:
- The Real George Washington by Jay A. Parry
- George Washington’s Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution (The perfect adventure for older children and teens!)
- Personal Reflections of Joan of Arc by Mark Twain
- Joan of Arc Documentary A moving, free documentary on the life of Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc was only 17 years old when she went to battle for the city of Orléans in France, emphatically declaring that she felt called by God. Her conviction to the cause has been permanently engraved on the pages of history. Of her willingness to die for a just cause, Joan boldly stated:
“Every man gives his life for what he believes. Every woman gives her life for what she believes. Sometimes people believe in little or nothing, and so they give their lives to little or nothing. One life is all we have, and we live it as we believe in living it…and then it’s gone. But to surrender who you are and to live without belief is more terrible than dying – even more terrible than dying young.” ~ Joan of Arc, defender of the French nation.
The Siege of Orleans was a success and served as a turning point in the Hundred Years’ War between France and England. One year later, Joan of Arc was captured, tried as a heretic, convicted. She was burned to death on May 30, 1431 at the age of 19, returning to the God she knew so well in this life.
Daniel
Lastly, from the pages of a favorite Bible story, comes Daniel.
Daniel knew the decree to forbid praying had been signed.
He knew the salivating lions were waiting in their den.
Yet, with windows opened, he continued to pray three times daily to his God.
Thrust into the lion’s den for his bold disobedience to the King’s decree, one must have thought the story of Daniel had reached its finale.
But no.
King Darius, upon learning of Daniel’s fate, went home and fasted for Daniel’s safety.
King Darius fasted.
I love this part of the story.
King Darius had courage, too. He, like Daniel, ignored the ways of Babylon and turned his heart to God.
O Death, Where is thy Sting?
King Darius trusted that Daniel’s God could save him. And, indeed, God did save Daniel.
The King’s next decree was quite different from the first:
“Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” (Daniel 6)
Yes, God saved Daniel.
The great news of the Gospel is that Jesus Christ has the power to save us all.
Because of Jesus Christ, death has no sting, the grave no victory.
Through Jesus Christ, death becomes a new beginning—the dawning of a new age.
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-58)
Conclusion
Death, the dawning of an age, will be what we make it⎯a time of fear, or a time of rejoicing. Countless faithful men and women from generations past lived lives of faith, filled with courage and the Spirit of God.
They did not fear death.
The lessons they left us, written on the pages of history, have the power to influence our lives for good in profound and mighty ways.
If we let them.
scripture memorization
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)
