There has recently been another senseless killing occur in our nation. Because it involved young children, it is especially hard to fathom how another human mind could be filled with such anger and evil as to perpetrate such a crime.
I’m sure that none of the parents or survivors of that tragedy are followers of my blog. I’m fairly certain that they won’t find this writing in an Internet search, especially since I am intentionally not naming the location or people involved. Nonetheless, I’d like to share with them two principles that I firmly believe in.
First: Our Heavenly Father is still in charge.
Yes, He has the power to interfere with evil events of this world. Yet many times, He does not do so. That is likely because what we think is the best solution is not in line with what he knows is better. Please don’t be mad at Him for not stopping the events that occurred. Rather, keep in mind that “All things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things” (The Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:24).
I don’t know what His purposes are for this particular event, or any other event for that matter. Your young loved one has returned to be with that God who gave him or her life. You are left to continue on in mortal life, with many broken dreams left behind.
Remember what the wise King Solomon spoke to Israel at the dedication of their temple: “Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise ” (Old Testament | 1 Kings 8:56).
According to all that He promised, there hath not failed one word. He has not promised anyone – devoted follower or not – that life would be free from harm. His own innocent Son was betrayed, beaten, hung, and made to suffer. In the eternal perspective, there was a purpose and a positive outcome for that event. Even if you cannot see it yet, please trust that there is a better “eternal perspective” for your life, and the life of your loved one too.
Which leads me to my other point.
Second: Jesus Christ Overcame Death
“Hear, O ye heavens, and give ear, O earth, and rejoice ye inhabitants thereof, for the Lord is God, and beside him there is no Savior. Great is his wisdom, marvelous are his ways, and the extent of his doings none can find out. His purposes fail not, neither are there any who can stay his hand,” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:1-3) declared his prophet of the modern days, Joseph Smith Jr.
Jesus Christ did suffer death, and did overcome death by being resurrected. The promise is that all will receive resurrection. Your loved one will live again, and you will also.
A resurrection would not be an exciting prospect if it were destined to be lived out in a miserable existence. That is why it is especially comforting to know that Jesus Christ also suffered the sins of all, so that salvation – eternal life, or the quality of life – can come to those who believe on His name and receive His gospel. His grace is sufficient to provide that salvation.
But what of your young one, whose life was cut short and may not have made covenants to be His follower? I assure you, as have the prophets, that your little one is not lost.
Mormon said “I love little children with a perfect love; and they are all alike and partakers of salvation” (The Book of Mormon | Moroni 8:17). Joseph Smith Jr. taught that “Little children are holy, being sanctified through the atonement of Jesus Christ” (Doctrine and Covenants 74:7) and that “all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven” (Doctrine and Covenants 137:10).
I could summarize these two points by saying that, in the Eternal Wisdom of God, He did provide for your little one. He provided the salvation through His Holy Son, and the promise that all is not lost. Though the event of this recent moment is horrific, you may trust in His plan and purpose. There will be much more than this moment. There will be an eternal life to experience later.
Let His comforter, the Holy Ghost, provide you with peace and reassurance. Have Faith. Approach Him in prayer and ask for that faith, comfort, and assurance. Live with confidence that what you can see now is not the final product.