He wrote a talk for a friend’s funeral then passed away himself. Read the final testimony of a Latter-day Saint from the Cook Islands

60932.jpg

“Through adversity and the darkness that we sometimes experience in life’s journey there is always a light that is available. Our Saviour Jesus Christ is that light.” 

John Glassie Mateara of the Cook Islands had planned to share those words at the funeral of his friend, Beresford Henry “Black” Heather. But on the day of the funeral, Mateara himself passed away. Now, the message he prepared stands as his final testimony of Jesus Christ and the Resurrection.  

Materara served as a first counselor in a district presidency and as a public affairs officer. Cook Island News reports that he was a frequent contributor to their “Church Talk” column, and they shared his final remarks on their website. 

This excerpt from Materara’s remarks gives a glimpse of his powerful testimony:

Central to all Christian belief is the fact that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead, and because of this, we too will live again after we die.

This knowledge gives meaning and purpose to our lives.

Because there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ Jesus.

He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; that because of the resurrection of Jesus, we will be resurrected, that there can be no more death thereafter. . . Just like I know Jesus lives, I know that Henry lives and he is happy free from the cares and the woes of this earthly life. 

Read the Mateara’s full remarks here

► You may also like: The ultimate victory: How the death of Jesus Christ was a triumph, according to one BYU professor

Lead image: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Tags
Share
Stay in the loop!
Enter your email to receive updates on our LDS Living content