Funeral Sermon of Ferd Dorius 3/5/69
My brothers and sisters and friends it is a privilege for me to occupy this position tonight to pay respect to our beloved brother and friend and to try to give comfort to his loved ones. I pray that I may have your faith and prayers as I speak that this may be accomplished.
We are not here to judge for the record of his earth life is finished. We can not add to it, nor can we take from it. We know before us are only his mortal remains. he has passed to the other side. My faith tells me that his loved ones have met him there and that there is a rejoicing at his coming.
For over 3 years his body has not been well and now he is released from the infirmities of the flesh. How blessed we are that a loving Father in Heaven has seen to it that when the mortal part of the soul is not able to perform its function that there is a separation.
Death sends a message every day, and then one day, he knocks, and says come it is time to go. Death is as sure as life itself.
As much as we are aware of this, and as much as we try to prepare, for this event, the adjustment due to the separation is a challenge. How blessed we are when we have the faith and knowledge that there is a hereafter...that all of us will be resurrected.
I would like to talk to you about Brother Dorius' philosophy, at least part of it. as he understood it, and as it is contained in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I would like to begin by reading to you the 23rd Psalm which was rendered in song so beautifully by Lavon Pardini.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou are with me; they rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
He knew that a table had been prepared for him.
Those who were close to him and knew him best knew of the great love he had for his lovely wife and family. They knew the respect and love his family had for him.
He recognised the marriage he had to Merle as one that was performed by a member of the Holy Priesthood, one who had the authority to act for God and seal their marriage for all time and eternity. He had an understanding of this principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as understood by members of the Latter-day Saints church that worthy members who are allowed to go to one of our temples and be married there, and remain faithful to their marriage covenants and laws of the Gospel, are married not for time only but for all eternity. Also that their children are sealed to them and they will remain a family in the hereafter if they are faithful.
Although Deana is married and has a home of her own, and Shelton is not living at home, there still remain a bond of love between all members of the family. Brother Dorius knew as does his beloved wife that the family is a unit and will remain so forever and ever if they live faithful to their covenants they made with the Lord. They will meet as a family on the other side and continue to enjoy each others love and companionship.
His passing is only a separation and is not the end.
He also had an abiding faith that he would be resurrected and that all God's children who have come to earth, will eventually be resurrected. The spirit and the flesh will after death at some appointed time be reunited.
These two great truths--eternal marriage and the resurrection have been taught in the Dorius family.
Ferd was a loving husband and father. He taught his wife the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Early in their married life he used to walk the children many blocks to take them to church over in our building on Hayes Street.
It seemed he always had a testimony of the Gospel but in later years he became more aware of it and it was a matter of many discussions with his sweet wife. They loved to discuss the truths of the Gospel and it strengthened their relationship with one another. He taught his children good principles. He loved people. He won the love of those who attended him at the hospital.
He was a kind person, concerned about his fellow man. I happen to know when he found a man in need at one time who needed clothing and other goods, Brother Dorius took care of him and let him select the best of his suits to have and wear.
During the many house his wife was at his side during his sickness they talked of many things close to their hearts. Just a few weeks ago as he lay in bed he looked at her and said there is just nothing left to say, is there? Their understanding and love for one another was complete.
He has left a memory of beautiful moments spent with her and the family, a memory of a spirit that was find and good. The greatest tribute that can be paid him by his children will be by their righteous lives.
Hosea tells us in Chapter 13: "I will ransom them from the power of the grave. I will redeem them from death. O death, will be thy plagues. O grave I will be thy destruction."
Brother Dorius had a conviction about the actuality of the resurrection. He knew that Jesus Christ broke the bands of death.
"If in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death by man came also the resurrection if the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Christ the first fruits and afterwards they that are Christ's at his coming."
When Christ was resurrected we read in the New Testament that many of the Saints who had lived up to that time received their bodies and were seen by many. In other words many were resurrected...
And the graves were opened and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
There are instances in sacred writ where mortals have been raised from the dead to mortal life before the resurrection of the Savior but none resurrected to immortality before that time. We also know that to a limited extent the resurrection has continued on indefinitely.
We have record of a man, Moroni to cite an example, who came to the Prophet Joseph Smith as a resurrected being. the Prophet Joseph Smith was the one through which the Lord restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter days and who organized the Church April 6, 1830. Moroni was the last of the prophets on this continent, a record of which is contained in the Book of Mormon. He lived here some 400 years after the death of the Savior. yet he came to the Prophet Joseph smith as a resurrected being. So that we know for specific purposes, certain persons are resurrected and have been from the time of Jesus' resurrection.
Christ was the first fruits. An account of his literal resurrection is told so beautifully and conclusively in John Chapter 20:1-7.
A. Christ appeared first to Mary Magdalene. She turned to him and said Rabboni; which is to say Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascendeth to my Father; and to your Father, and to my God, and your God.
B. He appeared unto his disciples including the doubting Thomas, who had to feel the scars in his side from his wounds received when he was crucified.
C. Again in 1 Corinthians 15:4-6. And he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve. After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
Thus, the manifestation of the Savior living again in his own identical, resurrected body, came unmistakeably to Mary and to his disciples.
The Old and New Testaments are full of scriptural proof that prophesy of the resurrection or prove that it is an actuality.
Daniel 12:1-2
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written int he book.
And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Though Deepening Trials
Though deep'ning trials throng your way,
Press on, press on, ye Saints of God;
Ere long the resurrection day
Will spread its life and truth abroad.
Tough outward ills await us here,
The time at longest is not long
Ere Jesus Christ will reappear,
Surrounded by a glorious throng.
Lift up your hearts in praise to God,
Let your rejoicings never cease;
Though tribulations rage abroad,
Christ says, "In me ye shall have peace."
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