Gospel Doctrine: Sorrow and Suffering

Sorrow and Suffering
By John A. Tvedtnes

Supplement to Gospel Doctrine New Testament lesson 35]

In his first epistle to the Corinthians, Paul chastised them for sins being committed by members of the Church in Corinth, including their tolerance of sins committed by only a few. Having received their reaction to that epistle, he wrote a second letter, in which he said,

For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner ...

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, wha] indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. (2 Corinthians 7:8-11)

The Greek word is rendered “sorrow” in this passage is translated “grief” in the King James version (KJV) of 1 Peter 2:19, where it is coupled with suffering:

For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. (1 Peter 2:19-23)

Peter elaborated, telling the saints not to fear “if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled ... For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” (1 Peter 3:14, 17; see also 1 Peter 4:1, 15, 19). He prayed that God “after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Peter 5:10).

When undeserved sorrow comes upon us, we have consolation in the Lord’s promise that, “If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful” (D&C 136:29). Christ promised that the Holy Ghost would be a comforter to those who follow him (John 14:16-18; see also Moroni 8:26).

In the days of Paul, the branches of the Church established in the Holy Land “were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied” (Acts 9:31). Paul also noted that the scriptures and living prophets can be a source of comfort (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 14:3, 31). He wrote to the Corinthians,

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)

Paul also explained that the Lord also expects each member of the Church to comfort others (1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11, 14). Alma₁ made it clear that the baptismal covenant requires that we be “willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (Mosiah 18:8).