Comments on: Mormon Beliefs about Suicide

By: Amy Keim

Amy Keim — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 21:59:10 +0000

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By: luxury138

luxury138 — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 04:06:55 +0000

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By: Patty Sampson

Patty Sampson — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 23:06:33 +0000

In reply to *Kelli Yorks. Hi Kelli, I am disappointed at your Bishop's response. Unfortunately the Lord only has humans to work with in doing His work. I'd say this is one of those times that you will need to turn to Him directly for answers, and try to forgive a painfully human Bishop. Work with your parents and therapists, make friends who know and understand you. And remember how much you are loved by the Lord. You have a wonderful future ahead of you, please don't let one frail human make that future seem bleak because it's not. President Monson once said "Your future is as bright as your faith." And that my dear, is encouraging news, because God is on your side and wants you to succeed more than anything.

By: *Kelli Yorks

*Kelli Yorks — Sat, 06 Apr 2019 03:01:02 +0000

What am I to think when my bishop says, “*Kelli hears what she wants to hear,” when my therapist told him I was suicidal?

By: Patty Sampson

Patty Sampson — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 05:34:30 +0000

In reply to Jacob O.. So beautifully said Jacob. Thank you.

By: Jacob O.

Jacob O. — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 00:22:11 +0000

I am a member of the LDS church, note I’m just 15, so In 2017 I just started high school. I thought it was all fun and games, besides all the bad temptations like cursing and such, but i honestly hadn’t been exposed to some of the horrors of the real world (I thank the Lord that I’ve been spared most my life up to now). I had a best friend, Jesse, and one day he did not show up to school. Later that day I found out he had committed suicide and I was devastated. But a few things revolving around the gospel helped me, and they can help other people too.
The first thing is, of course, the Holy Ghost. He was and still is the comforter that I need during trials. Another is prayer. Two days after he passed a group of his friends got together, including me, and we hung out. Later that day the parents of us teenagers rounded us up and talked to us, giving us support. One of the moms said we would have a little prayer service and asked if anyone would like to volunteer to go first. After a moment of awkward silence, I said I would. That was probably the most sincere, heart felt prayer I have ever given. But it eased the pain, just a bit.
Something that comes out of a loved ones passing is your testimony grows. I had always loved the church but now it seems as though I’ve matured greatly. My knowledge and love of the gospel has deepened extremely.
I guess that I would just like to say that yeah losing someone is hard but it’s not the end. And if you ever need someone to talk to you can go to the Lord.

By: MLR

MLR — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 12:45:36 +0000

Gracias for sharing your sharing your experience and for your article. A sweet friend of my son, decided to go back before we were expecting. It was hard to break the news to my son, who is serving a mission. Even that a never met this sweet daughter of God in person, a feel love and compassion for her and her family who still searching for answers. Your article brought peace to my heart and reassurance that God is the only one that knows our heart.

By: RDJ

RDJ — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 00:09:06 +0000

Thank you for your thoughtful article on Suicide. My nephew was taken off life support and died this morning, one week after attempting suicide. Our daughter asked whether her cousin’s act was a sin, and what hope she could have for his salvation. From experience, I knew some of what you posted and assured her that suicide was not automatically murder. My nephew was distraught and despite his amazing exterior self (4.0 + student, gifted athlete, popular and handsome) depression and anxiety dogged him and his suffering was immense. Whether he was in his right mind and fully accountable is a question for God who knows our hearts. The Plan of Salvation still provides for salvation and exaltation as far as my searching can determine. Your blog was helpful in explaining these things to our daughter.

By: Terrie Lynn Bittner

Terrie Lynn Bittner — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 19:41:53 +0000

Lynn, Thank you for your comment. I am glad you’ve decided suicide is not an option for you. I hope you can find the support you need to work through your challenges.

As for your friend, of course, the church is never okay with treating others badly. We’re taught consistently by our leaders the importance of treating others with love and respect and the value of each person as a child of God. However, all we can do is to teach. It is up to each person to decide what to do with what he or she is taught. Agency is an essential part of our life on earth and God has to let us make choices and face the consequences.

It sounds like your friend is having her own emotional struggles right now and people often begin to live in a way that does not reflect their divine heritage when that happens. Our church offers professional counseling services to those who need them–and will help cover the costs if the person can’t afford them–but again, the person has to ask her church leader for help. That is not always easy for a person to do and it is why leaders speak on the same subjects again and again, hoping someone will hear the message at a critical moment.

There are two articles I would love to have you read. The first was written by one of our bloggers here about what happened when her college roommate became suicidal. This is a more appropriate response than the one your friend gave you.
http://ldsblogs.com/23526/ugly-side-beauty

The second is a talk (sermon) given by a very high ranking church leader on personal worth. In it he says, “God sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who lives for a brief season—He sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to Him.”

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/you-matter-to-him?lang=eng&query=personal+worth

Please don’t judge all Mormons by the one you know. I suspect she is fighting her own battles just now and isn’t being herself. I hope you can be a good influence on her and help her to remember she is eternal, not just mortal. There are many resources within her own faith that can help her remember who she is and to become that person again.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 05:14:43 +0000

First of all, I am not a Mormon…..but my “so called” friend is. I wondered what the belief of this church is on this – I am suffering so much. I mentioned suicide to her several months ago – first I DO NOT want to die – I believe it is a great sin…but I have been through so very much in the last few years that sometimes it crosses my mind. When I mentioned it to her, she laughed at me and rolled her eyes. It hurt me so much….she could care less. She treats me as if I’m dirt on her shoes – at one point I asked her a lot of questions about her church – mind you – we have been friends for over 40 years. When she was younger we used to discuss so many things but now she tells me that “I’m NOTHING, and never will be” – it is so very hard for me to understand how she teaches and is a leader of young women in her church when she is so very cruel to so many people. I asked her one day if she thought she should talk to someone about her terrible moods and anger inside her and she told me “I can’t let them know”…..if I was going to ever think of joining your church knowing her would send me running! She has friends that she would have NEVER had years ago – they drink, smoke and smoke dope….she doesn’t but they all gossip and she loves to be “in the know” so to speak. I guess your church is ok with this…..but it is very hurtful to be treated as if I’m dirt – I’ve been through some horrific losses in my family in the last few years – and I don’t deserve that. But, she treats most of her own family the same way – anyone who mentions suicide, even if it’s just a passing thought doesn’t deserve to be laughed at. I hope and pray someday that someone in your church has a talk to her and lets her know that is very mean. Thank you for listening…..and please keep me in your prayers. I’m sure I will be fine, even though I’m not a Mormon – I am NOT NOTHING as she seems to believe….I know God loves me and is there for me.