I think that every single person has had to ask themselves this question at some point in their lives. Whatever one chooses to believe, it's something that we naturally ponder when we know we will someday face death.
In a talk titled "Life is Eternal" from President Ezra Taft Benson, he states this so perfectly:
“What mortal being, responding to that mystical instinct that earthly dissolution is at hand, has not contemplated what lies beyond the grave?
“What mortal being, upon whom has descended that strange and serene resignation that life’s journey is about at an end, has not thought about that eternal destination and what might be there?"
Along with thinking about death as we approach old age, I think we also ponder death and what's next when we have someone near to us pass away. My dear family friend Brendon passed away last week at the age of 20 and it really made me stop and think about this matter. Brendon had his whole life ahead of him but, does that mean it ended if he left his mortal life? I testify to you that the answer is no. I know that Brendon is still living.
What does it really mean to "pass away?" Where is Brendon right now?
When someone passes from this life, their body stays here on earth. But what happens to their spirit? Their spirit enters into a place called the spirit world. The spirit world is a place of learning and preparation. Our memories from this life will follow us there. In the spirit world people either live in a state of happiness and rest or in a state of torment based upon the decisions that they made in this life and whether they chose to follow Jesus Christ and used His Atonement or not. Although death does not change your personality or desires, for those that never had the opportunity to learn of Christ and His gospel here on earth, will be given that opportunity in the spirit world. Heavenly Father has prepared a way for all of His children to learn of Him and choose to follow His Son Jesus Christ to return to their home with their Father. I know that Brendon is in the spirit world right now learning more about His Father's plan for him and that he is in a state of happiness and rest.
Jesus Christ will one day return to this earth and after this takes place, we will all be resurrected. When Jesus Christ was crucified and died on the cross, His spirit went to the spirit world and His body rested in the tomb. Three days later He rose from the dead- His body and spirit were once again reunited. His body was in it's perfect form and was free from physical death ever again. Because He did this most wonderful thing, we all will have that same blessing. After death we will one day be reunited with our bodies and we will live forever. Immortality is a gift to all. How lucky are we?? We truly are loved. We then are judged by God according to our actions and the desires of our hearts. We then hopefully receive eternal life and live with our Father and families once again if we prove ourselves worthy of that blessing...but I'll explain more of that another time!
I want to testify that I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that because He lives, all of those that have passed on live as well. The prophet Abinadi in the Book of Mormon so beautifully testifies of this in Mosiah 16...
"And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection.
But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ."
The grave will have no victory over us. I know that there truly is life after death. Just like we will always have a new day here on this earth, I know that death is just another new day into the next part of our eternal lives. Death is not the end, it is the beginning. 
I know that Brendon still lives and I find comfort in knowing that his family will see him again. Although there is sorrow in losing a loved one, most of all, there is hope.
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