Unfairness

I have recently been feeling the weight of the world. I am constantly surrounded by people who do not believe in God, who believe that God has no jurisdiction here and/or those that do believe in God are idiots. The frustrating thing about this is that I can see a difference between my life and their lives. I am much happier, more centered, more mature in a lot of ways than many of my academic counterparts. Why is this a bad thing? I have come realize that part of the reason for the distaste regarding religion, particularly Christianity, is because many people wish to have questions answered regarding suffering.

This last week I have had those questions too. When you live a peaceful life, sometimes it is easy to forget the kind of horrific suffering that goes on in the world. I sometimes have to take a newspaper hiatus because I cannot internalize the devastation that human beings unleash upon each other. I cannot comprehend the kind of hatred that leads a man to slaughter innocent people in the name of religion, or politics or whatever justification there is. But just because I don't understand it doesn't mean it doesn't exist and placing my hands over my eyes and pretending like it doesn't, demeans the suffering that exists in people's lives. When you visit someone who has been through a tragedy, you must face their suffering. You must "mourn with those who mourn, comfort those that stand in need of comfort" (Mosiah 18:9-10). I think, all too often, I have shied away from this commandment, preferring instead to have joy with those who have joy and to love with those who already love me.

Jesus Christ did not behave in this manner. When he went about teaching in villages and preaching He was "moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd" (Matt. 9:36). The Savior always went to those who needed Him. He mourned with the family when they lost their daughter. He wept over the children who so touched His heart. He loved the man who was possessed of devils and went out to Him and cast the devils out. Christ's mortal ministry was about going to those who suffer and healing them.

As I have grown older, I have realized the weight of that burden. Watching people suffer and the helplessness that comes with that sometimes weighs even more than I can bear. I have never been good at walking with people through their suffering. I think part of the reason is because I feel so inadequate. I feel so powerless to take away their pain.

Elder Quentin L. Cook addressed this in the October 2011 General Conference. He said:

"Among the most frequently asked questions of Church leaders are, Why does a just God allow bad things to happen, especially to good people? Why are those who are righteous and in the Lord’s service not immune from such tragedies?

While we do not know all the answers, we do know important principles that allow us to face tragedies with faith and confidence that there is a bright future planned for each of us. "

I have been thinking about this talk a lot the last few days. Elder Cook first talks of a loving Father in Heaven who knows us and loves us. I have felt that love and I know its real. Then, he speaks of the Savior "whose Atonement not only provides for salvation and exaltation but also will compensate for all the unfairness of life." I love this quote. I have repeated it to myself several times. The Atonement of Jesus Christ will compensate for all of the unfairness of life. I do not understand how it is just for so many to suffer so much. However, I know that the Atonement is real. I know that grace has real power to cover the sins of the world and to redeem those who are lost. I hope that I will be able to see the threads of grace that work in my life and in the lives of others. Those threads bind us to Him and help us to return to His rest in the end.