Mental Illness, Depression, and Suicide, and what the LDS Church has to say about it,
After the death of Robin Williams, do to a suicide, it made me think of the churches stance on mental illness, depression and suicide. I was sitting in a Elders Quorum meeting several months ago, and they were talking about repentance. One person spoke up and said that the major cause of depression was ones feeling sorry for there sins. As a person who has suffered from depression for many years, I knew that my depression was not because I had sin or for the choices I made in life. Though no one knew about my fight with depression, there were a few that spoken up against this view point.
Last October Conference, Elder Jeffery R Holland gave a talk entitled, "Like a Broken Vessel. Listen to what Elder Holland has to say on the subject of mental illness and depression.
In the matter of suicide, the Church's Handbook #2 states this:
It is wrong to take a life, including one’s own. However, a person who commits suicide may not be responsible for his or her acts. Only God can judge such a matter.The family, in consultation with the bishop, determines the place and nature of a funeral service for a person who has died under such circumstances. Church facilities may be used. If the person was endowed, he or she may be buried in temple clothing.
Here we learn
that the only judge in this matter is God.
We also learn that they person who comments suicide can have services in
the church and can wear the temple clothing if endowed. I think that sometimes we hear different
things on this matter. That a person who
comments suicide, loses all right in the church, and that is not so. I have also heard of bishops that have denied
usage of the church for the service. I
do not know if that is true or not, but if it is, it is sad.
I draw an important conclusion from the words of the Prophet: Suicide is a sin—a very grievous one, yet the Lord will not judge the person who commits that sin strictly by the act itself. The Lord will look at that person’s circumstances and the degree of his accountability at the time of the act. Of course, this gives us no reason to excuse ourselves in committing sins, nor will the Lord excuse us, if I understand correctly. We must constantly strive to do our best in emulating the Savior in every aspect of our lives. At the same time, however, let us remember that spiritual growth comes “line upon line,” that the key—in the spirit world as well as in mortality—is to keep progressing along the right path.Elder Ballard, calls Suicide a Sin, but he also points out that God is the final judge. We cannot judge what was in a person’s mind or heart when they took their life. He also goes on and points out that we will be judged on how much we know and understand the gospel. And again, he points to God being the final judge.
I would suggest that everyone should read the whole
talk. I know that it is hard to hear at
times that the church will see thing as just being black or white. But the Gospel is that simple at times. They see it as a sin, but the church also accepts
that God is the final judge. We need to mourn
the loss of the person and not think of the act that caused them to not be here
anymore. And I know that is hard to say,
but I think God is a just and fair God.
I hope this has help in some ways, to understand what
they church says on the subject. I know
that in the past few years the church has really tried to help out every member
no matter what. The goal of every member
should to endure till the end. That we
can be saved through the Grace of God.
We do have leaders that really do care about our well-being.
Notes:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/handbook/handbook-2-administering-the-church/selected-church-policies?lang=eng#21.4.14
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1987/10/suicide-some-things-we-know-and-some-we-do-not?lang=eng
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