The Songs They Could Not Sing:
By Elder
Quentin Cook
Many people face significant problems or
even tragedy during this mortal journey. All over the world we see examples of
trials and tribulations. We are moved in our souls by television images of
death, acute suffering, and despair. We see the Japanese struggling heroically
against devastation from an earthquake and tsunami. The haunting scenes from
the destruction of the World Trade Center towers, which we recently reviewed,
were painful to relive. Something stirs us when we become aware of such
tragedy, especially when suffered by innocent people.
*Why does a just God allow bad things to
happen, especially to good people?
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.
All wrongs will be righted, and we will
see with perfect clarity and faultless perspective and understanding.
There are many kinds of challenges. Elder
Cook tells about 3 different kinds and why we have them.
Some
give us necessary experiences that prepare us to meet God:
Quote #1: Adverse results in this mortal
life are not evidence of lack of faith or of an imperfection in our Father in
Heaven’s overall plan. The refiner’s fire is real, and qualities of character
and righteousness that are forged in the furnace of affliction perfect and
purify us and prepare us to meet God. *Can you think of an example of someone
who has become stronger from a trial they had to face? Please share.
Some
challenges result from the agency of others:
Quote #2: Agency is essential for
individual spiritual growth and development. Evil conduct is an element of
agency. Captain Moroni explained this very important doctrine: “The Lord
suffereth the righteous to be slain that his justice and judgment may come upon
the wicked.” He made it clear that the righteous are not lost but “enter into
the rest of the Lord their God.” The wicked will be held accountable for the
atrocities they perpetrate. *Can you think of an example from the scriptures where innocent
people have suffered because of the wickedness of others this from the
scriptures?
Some
challenges come from disobedience to God’s laws:
Quote #3: Health problems resulting from
smoking, alcohol, and drug abuse are staggering. Incarceration in jails and
prisons as a result of alcohol- and drug-related crime is also very high. The
incidence of divorce because of infidelity is also significant. Many of these
trials and tribulations could be avoided by obedience to God’s laws.
Some of the trials we face could fit in
more than one category. Having health problems does not always come from
disobedience, even those who may follow the word of wisdom all their live can
still struggle with health.
*How is having an eternal perspective so
important while in the midst of trials?
From the limited
perspective of the world, this life can seem depressing, chaotic, unfair, and
meaningless. It is like someone walking into the middle of a three-act play.
Without knowing where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going it
is hard to understand suffering in this life.
Righteousness, prayer, and faithfulness
will not always result in happy endings in mortality. Many will experience
severe trials. The Lord has declared, “The elders … shall be called, and shall
pray for and lay their hands upon them in my name; and if they die they shall
die unto me, and if they live they shall live unto me.”
Titanic
Last
Sunday marked the 100 anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. 1,500 people
lost their mortal lives because there were not enough life boats. There were at
least two Latter-day Saint connections to the Titanic. Both illustrate our
challenge in understanding trials, tribulations, and tragedies and provide
insight as to how we might deal with them.
Elder
Sonne was finishing up his mission in Brittan, and he booked passage on the
Titanic for himself, his friend Fred, and four other missionaries who had also
completed their missions. When it came time to travel, for some reason Fred was
delayed. Elder Sonne canceled all six bookings to sail on the new luxury liner
on its maiden voyage and booked passage on a ship that sailed the next day.
Elder Sonne subsequently learned of the Titanic’s sinking and gratefully said
to his friend Fred, “You saved my life.” All of the missionaries thanked the
Lord for preserving them. Elder Alma Sonne went on to serve as a Stake
President in Logan, Utah and then served as a General Authority later in life.
Irene Corbett was 30 years old. She was a
young wife and mother from Provo, Utah. She was a talented artist and musician;
she was also a teacher and a nurse. She attended a six-month course of study on
midwife skills in London. It was her great desire to make a difference in the
world. She was careful, thoughtful, prayerful, and valiant. One of the reasons
she chose the Titanic to return to the United States was because she thought
the missionaries would be traveling with her and that this would provide
additional safety. Irene was one of the few women who did not survive this
terrible tragedy. Most of the women and children were placed in the lifeboats
and were ultimately rescued. It is believed that she did not get in the
lifeboats because, with her special training, she was attending to the needs of
the numerous passengers who were injured from the iceberg collision.
Whenever tragedy occurs, we mourn and
strive to bear one another’s burdens. We lament the things that will not be
accomplished and the songs that will not be sung.
Quote #4: A unique challenge for those
who have lost loved ones is to avoid dwelling on the lost opportunities in this
life. Often those who die early have demonstrated significant capabilities,
interests, and talents. With our limited understanding, we lament the things
that will not be accomplished and the songs that will not be sung.
The
Savior said: “Therefore, let your hearts be comforted. … Be still and know that
I am God.” We have His promise that we with our children will sing “songs of
everlasting joy.”
*Sometimes it seems when we are going
through trials that all we focus on is how hard our live is. Why do you think
it is important to be grateful even while going through trials?
Quote #5: We should be grateful for all
the tender mercies that come into our lives. We are unaware of hosts of
blessings that we receive from day to day. It is extremely important that we
have a spirit of gratitude in our hearts. If we are righteous we are entitled
to have the Spirit of the Lord with us always. *Can you share a time in your
life that you found yourself “counting your blessings” how did it affect the
way you felt about your life?
I love this quote: “What if tomorrow you
woke up with only the blessings that you thanked God for today?”
Regardless of the trials we face in this
life, the Savior’s Atonement provides lifeboats for everyone. For those who
think the trials they face are unfair, the Atonement covers all of the
unfairness of life.
When we think of the perfect life the
Savior lived, it really does seem “unfair” that he suffered and died for all of
OUR sins. But he did it lovingly and willingly. I know that our Father in
Heaven knows and Savior loves each of us personally. They are there and willing
to hear and answer our prayers. They provide comfort through any trial we will
face in this life.
