06 Apr 2006 06:17 AM

Suicide and the Gospel

by Candace Salima | More from this Blogger

     

This is a very touchy and serious subject. I was researching something for another blog and came across an article by Elder M. Russell Ballard which clarified some things I thought were worth sharing.

Suicide is a horrifying thing. Not only has the victim ended his or her life so abruptly, the enormous amount of pain felt by family and friends scars them for a lifetime. For those outside of the church it is frightening, confusing and excruciatingly sorrowful. For those inside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints comes the added burden of knowing the outcome of a soul that commits suicide. But Elder Ballard asks if we really know.

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The brethren have been very clear that it is a grievous sin with eternal penalties that must be met. But they also go on to point out the following:

"Suicide consists in the voluntary and intentional taking of one's own life, particularly where the person involved is accountable and has a sound mind. ... Persons subject to great stresses may lose control of themselves and become mentally clouded to the point that they are no longer accountable for their acts. Such are not to be condemned for taking their own lives. It should also be remembered that judgment is the Lord's; He knows the thoughts, intents, and abilities of men; and He in His infinite wisdom will make all things right in due course." (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966, p. 771; some italics added.)

"I feel that judgement for sin is not always as cut-and-dried as some of us seem to think. The Lord said, "Thou shalt not kill." Does that mean that every person who kills will be condemned, no matter the circumstances? I feel the Lord recognized differences in intent and circumstances: Was the person who took his life mentally ill? Was he or she so deeply depressed as to be unbalanced or otherwise emotionally disturbed? Was the suicide a tragic, pitiful call for help that went unheeded too long or progressed faster than the victim intended? Did he or she somehow not understand the seriousness of the act? Was he or she suffering from a chemical imbalance in their system that led to despair and a loss of self-control? Obviously, we do not know the full circumstances surrounding every suicide. Only the Lord knows all the details, and He it is who will judge our actions here on earth. When He does judge us, I feel He will take all things into consideration: our genetic and chemical makeup, our mental state, our intellectual capacity, the teachings we have received, the traditions of our fathers, our health, and so forth." (Elder Russell M. Ballard, Ensign, Suicide: Some Things We Know, Some Things We Do Not italics added)

So many of the brethren across the ages of time have addressed this subject. Too often we only read a portion of what was said, catching only the harshest words without hearing the promise which comes after. Remember that Jesus Christ's mission is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Moses 1:39, Pearl of Great Price. Remember that we are the under auspices of a loving Heavenly Father and Savior - and only they truly understand the heart, mind, spirit and circumstances of individual's who take their own lives.

Pray and pray often, allowing the Comforter to do his job. Allow the balm of Gilead to soothe and heal you and leave your loved one in the hands of the Savior. Are there any better hands to leave them in?

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I urge you, if this is an issue being faced in your life, go to www.lds.org, click on Gospel Library, Click on any format under Church Publications and then type suicide into the search box. Read every word written by the brethren and constantly seek the Father in earnest prayer.

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Candace E. Salima was born right smack dab in the middle of twelve children.

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2 comments so far

baldeguy (55) 07 Apr 2006 03:07 PM

Alma 39:6 states "...yea and whosoever murdereth against the light and knowledge of God, it is not easy for him to obtain forgiveness; yes I say unto you, my son, that it is not easy for him to obtain a forgiveness."

Suicide is murder and as Candace has already pointed out the mental state of the person will definately be taken into consideration at the day of jusgement. Alma gives us hope that supports the statements made by general authorities that suicide can be forgiven. One who has been persuaded by satan and circumstance to take their own life are not in a mental state of balance. We, who have lost a loved one to suicide, need not give up hope on the state of the salvation.

We need to remain compassionate towards the ones that have been left behind and we need to do what we can do to help the one who committed the act of suicide repent. In other words, we need to give comfort to others and ease their pain so that the one who left will not have the burdeon of repenting for the long suffering og those left behind. Small acts of compassion can alleviate even years of sorrow.

Candace Salima (1593) 07 Apr 2006 04:45 PM

I think the brethren have given us great hope in this situation. Indeed the Lord is the only one who truly knows the intent of our hearts. He loves us so much and will afford us every mercy He is allowed. He paid for so much -- we have to trust that our loved ones will be where they are happy. We as Latter-day Saints always forget that the Telestial and Terrestial kingdoms are kingdoms of glory, not damnation. It behooves us not to judge, to offer love, support and comfort where we can and trust in the Lord.

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