Jordan McKay Washburn
March 16, 1982 - May 10, 2008
Kirtland G. NaylorJordan Washburn, in his very short life, managed to influence many people and make us smile. He seemed quiet at first introduction, but loved to converse, even debate. He wasn’t much for mindless small talk, but found a way to engage you in a thoughtful discussion.
One learns of the true nature and personality of a life from the patterns of his personality he displayed. I have read emails from friends, missionary companions, and co-workers, and they all recognized the same characteristics in Jordan: he was a friend to all, unique in his service, and loyal. One companion noted that Jordan "had his own way of doing things, and after he would have me analyze with him, I would see that his way was correct (most of the time)." Another said, "He was quick to point out new ways of thinking that had never occurred to a mind as narrow as mine. I guess I can say that he was a good person and that made him an influential missionary. Simple as they are, those are two of the highest compliments I can offer anyone I have met in this life."
His first companion in the Philippines commented, "[With Elder Washburn,] I never worked so hard or laughed so much. It was awesome to see him learn and grow as a new missionary. What a wonderful missionary he was. I am truly grateful for the opportunity I had to serve with him."
Another companion from the bushland of New Zealand, spoke of how Jordan taught him to have a little giggle every so often, but also that when it was time to work, they worked. He said, "and by jingo’s could he move! That walking pace of his was often blistering, but I soon learnt to keep up–barely." He continued, "Anyone who has sat with him and talked about anything will have noticed his amazing ability to think outside the square and make even the most tedious of topics seem ever so interesting. Simply put, there was never a dull moment."
A high school friend confirmed all this with one simple illustration about how Jordan had fun and interacted with strangers. Jordan liked to find guy-girl pairs then challenge them to an arm-wrestling contest. He convinced them to play, lost to the girl (very dramatically), then beat the guy.
A recent Chinese co-worker reported: "Jordan is beloved and virtuous, wherever he goes, he's sure to bring joy and make surrounding people happy. All people knowing Jordan in this company like this friend very much. To me, he's more important, since he's always my bosom friend. Although there's some language barriers when we communicate, this never prevents us from being good friends. I feel more sorry and regretful, since I didn't accompany him through his remaining days. As I retrace the happy times, and then imagine all the pain happening now, there's more feeling about Heaven's unfairness. Why such an excellent person can't own more time to enjoy the life?"
We often question why death occurs, especially when it occurs at a time when the person was still young enough to have apparently many years to share their good works with family and friends. Benjamin Franklin said: "Our friend and we were invited abroad. .... his chair was ready first, and he is gone before us. We could not all conveniently start together; and why should you and I be grieved at this, since we are soon to follow, and know where to find him."
The purpose of this earthly life is best understood when we recognize from where we came, and to where we shall go after this mortal existence.
Before Coming to this world, we lived in the pre-earth-life as spiritual children of our Heavenly Father. As the Apostle Paul taught in his letter to the Hebrews, "Shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?" (Heb. 12:9.) "In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life." (Family Proclamation.) In this pre-earth spiritual life, we recognized that we wanted to come to earth to gain a body and experience this life. We knew that this life would not always be easy, that it could involve physical and mental struggles, and that we might make mistakes along the way; but, we would have the opportunity to experience life's choices--and the freedom to choose.
We then are born to this earth to receive a physical body. The spirit, joined with the body, allows us to experience the physical opportunities and tragedies of mortality, while having the spiritual roots to give us hope, if we will hearken to those spiritual promptings. The spirit does not die, but our physical body will pass away. It is the experiences from this mortal life that we will take with us when we leave. What we do and learn in this life about ourselves and the service we provide to others will not only bless those whom we have touched in this life, but will be a part of us that we carry forward. Each of us, as we honestly evaluate our lives, find within us a struggle between the natural (mortal) state, and the spiritual goodness within us. We find the world pulling us away from Godliness, and that is part of this earthly experience. We could not have learned this without a physical body. It is what we do in this life and the way we share goodness with others that will tell how much we truly follow the teachings of Christ.
One of Jordan’s missionary companions said, "He was one of the happiest, most caring, and loving missionaries I've ever known. He was always seeking to improve the world around him and especially to serve the people he was surrounded by, not only the Filipinos, but the missionaries and anyone--ANYONE--he came in contact with. I was many times the recipient of his unceasing efforts. He was always a joy to be around. I look forward to meeting him again on the other side of the veil!"
Toward the end of his life, as Jordan suffered excruciating pain, he was still tender and caring with those around him. He would be in such pain that he couldn't open his eyes, or move in his hospital bed, but he would ask with such kindness for his wife to hand him some water. I marveled at his patience. I didn't hear him complain, but he suffered with strength.
Another reason we came to this earth was to develop faith in God. We had a veil of forgetfulness placed over our memories of our existence as spiritual children of Our Heavenly Father. We are left in this life to seek after those things of the spirit that will remind us of a God who loves us, His children. When we follow Him and His Son, we come to realize the purpose of this life is to prepare us to meet them and live with them again. Life is a bridge; not to be lingered on, but to pass over quickly. Jordan’s hope and faith led him to do righteous acts that strengthened his faith even more. Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described it in this way:
Having ultimate hope does not mean we will always be rescued from proximate problems, but we will be rescued from everlasting death! . . . Significantly, those who look forward to a next and better world are usually "anxiously engaged" in improving this one, for they "always abound in good works" (D&C 58:27; Alma 7:24). Thus real hope is much more than wishful musing. It stiffens, not slackens, the spiritual spine. It is composed, not giddy, eager without being naive, and pleasantly steady without being smug. Hope is realistic determination not merely to survive but to "endure . . . well" to the end (D&C 121:8). The "hope in Christ" (Jacob 2:19) of which ancient and modern prophets speak and write is not obtained without sacrifice. But once obtained, it becomes a "well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14) (October 1994, General Conference.)
What many believe to be happiness in this life does not give us real hope. The material possessions; careers that bring the accolades of man and wealth; and physical beauty are all limited in their duration and enjoyment to this world. Yet, those who remain faithful in their hope of resurrection and exaltation find peace and comfort in the assurance that if they endure, every good thing will be theirs forever. C.S. Lewis said that we do not pray to change God; we pray to change ourselves. The Savior said simply, "Be of good cheer, for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you." (D&C 61:36.)
Before leaving on his mission, I shared with Colin a scripture found in Section 31 of the Doctrine & Covenants concerning missionary service. "Lift up your heart and rejoice for the hour of your mission is come . . , and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation. . . .Therefor, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Wherefore, your family shall live" (D&C 31:3 & 5). I explained that I believe this promise is that your family shall live in the gospel, and be spiritually blessed, according to your faithful service.
I can’t explain why Jordan was meant to leave us so soon, but I know his experience brought many closer to God and their faith was strengthened. Colin’s dedicated service in the mission has blessed this family with spiritual strength; perhaps with that which was necessary to not just endure, but to learn from this experience.
Death is the gateway to the next existence that prepares us for the resurrection. Birth brings our spirit together with our body to this life. We know that death is as natural and necessary as birth. As death comes to one we love, there is a sadness in separation. Elder LeGrand Richards said, "The only reason to feel sorrow at the death of a loved one is the temporary loss of friendship privileges." We do miss our loved ones who die, but with God’s perspective, we find sweet peace and joy. Elder Mark E. Petersen said, "Death is a beautiful door into a more beautiful room."
At death, our physical body and spirit are separated. Our bodies await the resurrection, but as is stated in the book of Ecclesiastes: our "spirit shall return unto God who gave it." (Ecc. 12:7.)
A prophet of God has taught this about the spirit world, which follows death:
When you are in the spirit world, everything there will appear as natural as things now do. Spirits will be familiar with spirits in the spirit world--will converse, behold, and exercise every variety of communication with one another as familiarly and naturally as while here in tabernacles. There, as here, all things will be natural, and you will understand them as you now understand natural things. You will there see that those spirits we are speaking of are active; they sleep not. And you will learn that they are striving with all their might--laboring and toiling diligently as any individual would to accomplish an act in this world. We have more friends behind the veil than on this side, and they will hail us more joyfully than you were ever welcomed by your parents and friends in this world. (Brigham Young, Teachings of Presidents, p. 281-282.)
After death, while in the spirit world, we prepare for the resurrection and final judgement. At the resurrection, the spirit and body shall be reunited. "Every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame." (Alma 40:23.) This promise is made possible by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. All mankind shall be resurrected. "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." (John 11:25.) We live to die; and we die to live again. (Russell M. Nelson, The Gateway We Call Death, p. 5.)
"Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise." (Moroni 7:41.) Someone said, "If I can't win, let me do good in the attempt." I think that Jordan not only won, but he was valiant in the effort and true to his divine design. His life was short here on earth, but its duration in all our lives will be eternal; for he truly touched us in a meaningful way.
Each Life That Touches Ours for Good, Hymn No. 293Each life that touches ours for good Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord; Thou sendest blessings from above Thru words and deeds of those who love. What greater gift dost thou bestow, What greater goodness can we know Than Christlike friends, whose gentle waysStrengthen our faith, enrich our days. When such a friend from us departs,We hold forever in our hearts. A sweet and hallowed memory, Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee. For worthy friends whose lives proclaim Devotion to the Savior’s name, Who bless our days with peace and love, We praise thy goodness, Lord, above. May we all remember the life, love and laugh that Jordan brought into our lives, and rededicate to reach out to others and share the joy and peace the Gospel brings into our lives. Jordan’s life is yet another testimony of the love of God, His tender mercies, and the blessings of the atonement and resurrection. I testify of these truths, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
