If you haven't seen the good dinosaur yet don't read!! It might spoil the movie!!
Today I had the opportunity to watch the good dinosaur with my two younger brothers.
As I watched it, it reminded me of each of our great journey to receiving and gaining our salvation.
The beginning shows a young family of dinosaurs who each through the years grows and soon can place their mark on the stone tower which holds their stored food for the winter.
But the youngest and runt of the family struggles immensely with overcoming his fears and reaching the same levels of success as his two brothers do. Because of this they consistently test him and use his shortcomings against him.
His father constantly works with him to help him to improve. But soon it seems like a lost cause as everyone looses hope in him except his father.
While on a journey together a big storm comes upon them and they are unable to continue on. Turning back to go home the father saves his son from sliding into the roaring river that is rising and moving quickly and perishes in the effort.
The young boy comes home to take the lose hardest of all and the rest of the family blames him for the struggle they now face without the father's strength.
The boy runs away unable to face the grief his father's absence leaves him in, and the blame he places upon himself for his death.
He goes into a deep stage of grief and feelings of abandonment and persecution he places upon himself and that which his family adds.
But within this struggle he finds a friend who helps him find the strength to continue his journey on and decide to return to his family. They both strengthen one another through the harsh trials they face and help to realize that they are needed and are both of great worth.
The movie ends with them both parting from each other and returning to their families and never forgetting them friendship they had and the strength and hope they received from the other.
This movie was very touching to me and I thought and pondered I soon discovered why. The father is Our Heavenly Father who in the premortal existence did all that He could to prepare us for our life on earth.
And His passing from saving us is us parting from His presence and coming to Earth. And though we were hurt and struggling on our own His is always there watching out for us and helping us through our trials and hardship.
The young boy represents us finding our purpose. Bringing us to remembrance as to why we are on Earth and what our mission is. To become like unto our Savior and serve and bring others to the light of His gospel and eternal love.
He can also represent the mercy of God who will continually aide us and give us hope and show us love when we are struggling and having difficulties.
And finally the young boy can represent Christ. Who went through all of the same trials and struggles that we will and have. Who is and will always remain by our side no matter how much anger we find ourselves having toward Him. He loves us with an undieing eternal love and though at times He may seem far away He is always but our side pushing us on and giving us strength. But to show our love to Him we must give of ourselves to Him and others serving them, giving everyone kindness, holding back judgement, and bringing them to the loving light of Christ and His gospel.
Their journey home is much like our journey to return to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Being mortal and being influenced by the devil's temptations, trials and adversity we come in contact with isn't always easy but, if we look unto Him and have faith in His eternal plan we can one day return to Him.
I know with all my heart and spirit that Heavenly Father loves me and wants me to return to Him. And I know that He loves me unconditionally for I feel of it often and even right at this moment. I know Christ sacrificed Himself for my sins and felt each of my pains, sorrows, grief, tears, and heartache for me specifically as well as ALL of you my beautiful brothers and sisters. I know without a doubt that I can never stray away from His love and open arms. And that if I turn unto Him and every thought, doubt not fear not that I will be blessed and be a tool in His ever loving hands of a skilled potter who is shaping me into the daughter that He knows I can and will become. I love each of you unconditionally and think of and pray for you often. And I promise that if you follow His commandments, pray and read your scriptures often that you will be blessed and always know and feel of His love for you and find strength to help you to overcome your trials and adversity.
