Suffering is one of the most difficult things to make sense of in this life. God knew when he sent us to live on the earth that there would be great hardship. Some of it would result from the evil actions of others. Some of it, however, would simply be natural adversity common to all mankind, like natural disasters, accidents, and disease. If this life was all there is, God would indeed seem uncaring, even cruel. But this is not the case.
Peace comes from knowing God’s plan of happiness (see We Once Were In Heaven). While God knew life on earth would be necessarily difficult, He sent His son Jesus Christ to help us overcome life’s obstacles and give us hope.
Part of our hope comes from knowing life does not end with death. Christ overcame the obstacle of death with His resurrection, thereby making it possible for all mankind to be resurrected. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the scriptures assure us that those who keep the commandments shall be “heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ” (see Romans 8:16-17). He further taught that with this resurrection would come an end to suffering:
“How consoling to the mourners when they are called to part with a husband, wife, father, mother, child, or dear relative, to know that, although the earthly tabernacle is laid down and dissolved, they shall rise again to dwell in everlasting burnings in immortal glory, not to sorrow, suffer, or die any more, but they shall be heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.” (“Chapter 3: Jesus Christ, the Divine Redeemer of the World,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, [2007], 52-53.)
In addition to knowing that we may be reunited with departed loved ones, Christ promised he would not leave us comfortless. He sent us the Holy Ghost to give us peace in times of difficulty and sadness. (see John 14:26-27) The Holy Ghost will often testify to us that the things we believe are true. This is comforting when facing the death of a loved one since most of us have never seen the Savior or a resurrected being. Also, we sometimes feel critical of God when overcome with grief. The Holy Ghost reassures us that all of God’s promises will be realized and there will be an end to our present distress.
During his ministry, Christ taught that we should respond to the suffering of others by showing compassion (see for example, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-37). In his own life Christ demonstrated the kind of selfless concern of which He spoke. While hanging on the cross in great agony, Christ’s final instructions to the disciple John were to look after His (Christ’s) mother after He died. Anyone who has been through a difficult time can attest what a difference the presence or absence of seemingly simple acts of kindness made. As we respond to the suffering of others, we assist Christ in His mission of lifting and saving souls.
God knew this life would be hard, but He did not leave us alone. Christ made it possible for us to look forward to a better life beyond this one. The Holy Ghost reassures us when we feel uncertain or need solace. We aid each other by following Christ’s example, knowing that we can look forward to a time when we no longer feel the pain common to our present life.
