I was asked by a person whose friend committed suicide what our beliefs were about the penalties his friend might have. I don’t know of any church literature or scriptures on the matter. Do you know what the penalties for suicide are?
5 Responses to “I was asked by a person whose friend committed suicide what …”
Webmaster de AllAboutMormons.com
2009-10-19 05:39:50
Hi friend. A few months ago another visitor asked a similar question about suicide. The answers given to that question might help you. I wish you luck as you try to comfort your friend. What a sad situation.
Richard
2009-10-21 04:07:07
We don't judge a person for suicide. We let that be in the hands of The Judge: Christ. We don't know what the person was thinking, feeling, or experiencing in their life when they ended it. We don't know if there were drugs or other forms of inhibiting factors to the person's thinking, like depression. So the counsel for people looking for comfort is basically: James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God"
On a personal note I know that Christ is forgiving. The person who has passed beyond the veil will be given a just judgment and will receive a measuer of glory fitting them and their actions. This starting from a very long time prior to even this earth being created.
Pamela Dean
2009-10-21 18:25:00
Our church has no 'penalties' for suicide. The official church position is that although it is wrong to take one's own life, a person who commits suicide may not be responsible for his or her acts. The best place to read about our beliefs about suicide can be found in Elder M. Russell Ballard's article "Suicide: Some Things we Know, and Some we do Not," Ensign, Oct. 1987, 8.
Anonymous
2009-10-21 21:02:38
It's not our place to judge, only God knows the full situation that person was in, their mental and physical state, the exact conditions that brought that person to committing that act, etc.
God isn't in the business of condemning people, quite the opposite. I would say pray for your friend, pray for their friend who has passed on. They will have the opportunity to recieve the gospel in the spirit world and accept Christ as their Savior.
God, and our beloved Savior will be loving and just to the person that much we know for sure.
Nils
2009-10-24 14:47:10
Hi there. Elder M. Russell Ballard wrote an article about this topic (Ensign Magazine, October 1987). I hope, this helps.
On a personal note I know that Christ is forgiving. The person who has passed beyond the veil will be given a just judgment and will receive a measuer of glory fitting them and their actions. This starting from a very long time prior to even this earth being created.
God isn't in the business of condemning people, quite the opposite. I would say pray for your friend, pray for their friend who has passed on. They will have the opportunity to recieve the gospel in the spirit world and accept Christ as their Savior.
God, and our beloved Savior will be loving and just to the person that much we know for sure.