Comfort for Connecticut
Shooting at a Connecticut school on December 14, 2012.
In the wake of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school in Connecticut, I know that many of you are asking (as I am) why? Why did this have to happen? Why does God (if He exists) allow such evil things to happen to such innocent people? How can God be loving when He lets innocent, pure children suffer?
While I certainly don’t pretend to know the answers to these ageless questions, I do believe that religious faith can comfort even in the darkest of times.
As many of you know, I am a devout Mormon. As such, I believe in the love and power of Jesus Christ. I believe in a God who honors our agency so much that He allows us to choose between good and evil. This, of course, often leads to the pain and suffering of others—many of whom are completely innocent and pure.
So how do we reconcile that? How can Christ, if He loves us, allow such horrible things happen to innocent people?
Joseph and Emma Smith holding their baby that has passed away. Painting by Liz Lemon Swindle.
I think the answer to that question is found in the Atonement. In the Book of Mormon, it is written that through the Atonement, Jesus has ”[gone] forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people…and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities (Alma 7:11-12).”
There is a high price to our agency and many innocent people suffer when we choose evil over good. But the same God who allows such evil things to happen is not a spectator to our pains. He paid the price for our agency and intimately, personally and deeply feels our pain as if it were His own. If we reach out to Him during our times of darkness, He will reciprocate. Because He has felt our pain and knows how to heal us. ”In the world ye shall have tribulation:,” He said. ”But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).”
The Prophet Joseph Smith (who lost six of his eleven children) said this:
“I have meditated upon the subject, and asked the question, why it is that infants, innocent children, are taken away from us, especially those that seem to be the most intelligent and interesting. . . . The Lord takes many away even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again. . . . All children are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and the moment that children leave this world, they are taken to the bosom of Abraham. The only difference between the old and young dying is, one lives longer in heaven and eternal light and glory than the other, and is freed a little sooner from this miserable wicked world.”
Here’s a video about another shooting that involved children and the power of forgiveness.
24 Comments on “Comfort for Connecticut”
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Beautiful. thanks for sharing
My thoughts always go as well to the parents and families of such perpetrators.
They too suffer great sorrow and pain; often self-inflicted guilt and self-inflicted feelings of responsibility.
I have a little kindergarten grandson, age 6 who lives next door to me. Our world would be crushed in such circumstances, and our hearts are grieving in sharing the sorrow of those families. We pray for their peace and succor.
Here is my attempt to process this terrible tragedy……
Christmas in Connecticut this year
Will truly be a test,
For twenty of its children
must be laid to rest.
They will sleep in tiny coffins
some nestled amongst toys,
bought by loving Moms and Dads
to delight their girls and boys.
And six adults who cared for them
have left this world as well,
their families left to suffer
and endure a private hell.
We must do our best to comfort them,
though we don’t know what to say,
and there is little we can do
to take their pain away.
But remind them that Christmas in heaven
will be a very different thing,
for 26 new angels
will greet their Lord and King.
They will sing in the celestial choir
Wearing robes of gleaming white,
their halos shining on their heads
Their sweet eyes wide and bright.
And they’ll be enveloped by such love,
That they’ll never feel sorrow or pain,
And they’ll know that in a very brief time,
they will be with their loved ones again.
that is beautiful. Very well written. Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful and poignant
Thank you, very much!
Thank you for taking the time to read it. It means a lot to me.
Wonderful poem. You are very talented. Thank you for sharing.
Hmm. I pray that God will console those affected and that I believe that everything happens 4 a reason
As do I. I’m reading “The God Who Weeps,” and it touches on many of these points.
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Thank you.
Thank you for reading.
Beautiful! Thank you!
Thank you for reading!
This message has taken away my anger today. We must always remember to forgive, even in the most tragic events.
I’m glad that my words could be of some consolation.
My heart breaks for these families…yet I know that these precious babies were welcomed into their Heavenly Father’s Kingdom! I pray that these familieies can find solace in their own time. Thank you for posting this, the rest of the nations finds comfort in these words also!!
I, too, feel blessed. I am grateful for this profound knowledge.
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When my own words failed and my own mind wasn’t able to fathom… Someone else found the words and scripture to offer comfort.
Let our hearts reach out to those who lost children and loved ones today. It is they who will struggle with the loss of these precious children. We can rejoice being assured that these children’s spirits are now in the paradise of the spirit world and that they will enter the celestial kingdom upon resurrection. I too have a child that passed away innocent. I am thankful that Christ has extended his mercy unto the little children who die in infancy and childhood.
I’m blessed by this message. I’ve passed it on