Experiencing grief is a part of mortality. Everyone will experience loss at some point that leads to grief. Grief and healing are complex and unique for the individual. When we turn to the Savior, we can find comfort, hope, and peace. The Lord understands our sorrows as He “hath descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things” (D&C 88:6).
Turning to the Savior in Our Grief
Sometimes, we may think that we shouldn’t struggle with grief because we believe in a loving Heavenly Father or because we have been obedient. Grief is normal, and everyone will grieve at some point—whether due to the loss of a loved one, a relationship, or even a job. Even with our gospel knowledge, at times, loss and grief can feel unbearable. Those feelings of grief don’t always resolve neatly and quickly. The Savior showed us it is normal by grieving Himself, and we are taught we can rely on Him for healing and hope.
The Savior Showed Us Grief Is Natural
The Savior showed us that grief is a normal emotional response. The Lord wept with Mary and Martha when Lazarus died knowing He would soon raise Him from the dead (see John 11:35–36). President Russell M. Nelson taught:
Mourning is one of the deepest expressions of pure love. It is a natural response in complete accord with divine commandment: “Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die”
Death is not the only thing we grieve in this life. We can follow the Savior’s pattern as we experience grief in many different ways such as losing a relationship, dealing with physical health challenges, losing a job, and many other challenges we face in life.
The Savior Can Heal Us
The Savior experienced so much grief in His mortal ministry. He understands you and your experience, no matter how difficult or how messy you feel.
As we turn to the Savior in our grief, rather than avoiding it, we can be comforted and healed as we rely upon the Savior’s power to assist us through the grieving process.
In “Finding Strength in the Lord: Emotional Resilience,” we read,
Because Jesus Christ descended below all things, He has divine empathy and knows how to support us in our trials. Empathy is the ability to sense others’ emotions and understand what they might be thinking or feeling. Empathy is not simply feeling for someone but feeling with them.
The Savior’s divine empathy was described by the prophet Alma, who taught that the Savior will “take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement will help us have the power to endure and overcome even the hardest trials in life.
As we feel grief we can turn to the Savior in ways that help us feel connected to Him. Some ways that others have found some healing include writing out feelings and including feelings of pain as well as peace, praying for comfort and understanding, attending the temple with a focus on connecting with the Savior and seeking hope, searching the scriptures for ways others have coped with sadness and grief to find hope to move forward.
See how others have found hope amidst grief and loss through the Savior:
For more information on building emotional resilience in the midst of trials, view the course Finding Strength in the Lord: Emotional Resilience.
Understanding Grief Through a Gospel Lens
God knows that we will experience grief in this life, but we do not have to go through it alone. Jesus taught, “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). Seeking comfort from God’s words and turning to Him can relieve our sorrow, answer life’s difficult questions, and provide much-needed support. We are promised: “Ask, and it shall be given you” (Matthew 7:7).
The gospel of Jesus Christ provides answers to many of life’s difficult questions through the scriptures and living prophets. There are many gospel resources that can help you better understand grief and loss. Such resources might include using the search features for the following:
- Scriptures
- Conference Talks
- Gospel Topics - Grief
- Gospel Topics - Physical Death
- Counseling Resources- Grief and Loss
Below you can find resources from scriptures, conference talks, Liahona articles, videos, and podcasts that may support you and others dealing with grief and loss. This compiled list is not all-encompassing, rather it is a way to get you started in your study to better understand grief and loss.
Scriptures
- Revelation 21:4 - “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
- Matthew 11:28 - “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
- John 14:18 - “I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you.”
- 3 Nephi 12:4 - “And again, blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
- Psalm 46:10 - “Be still, and know that I am God.”
- John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
- John 14:27 - “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
- John 11:25–26 - “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
- Hebrews 4:15–16 - “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Conference Talks
- Our Sorrow Shall Be Turned to Joy - Elder S. Mark Palmer, April 2021 General Conference
- He Heals the Heavy Laden - President Dallin H. Oaks, October 2006 General Conference
- Sunday Will Come - Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, October 2006 General Conference
- “An High Priest of Good Things to Come” - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, October 1999
- Infinite Power of Hope - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, October 2008 General Conference
- Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me! - Sister Reyna I. Aburto, October 2019 General Conference
- Finding a Safe Harbor - Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, April 2000 General Conference
Articles
- The Healing Power of Grief - Ensign, Jan. 2014, 63
- Trust in the Savior’s Deliverance - Liahona, April 2019
- Being OK with Not Being OK: Navigating Seasons of Grief - Liahona, February 2021
- Peace and Joy, Not Grief, Dominated My Heart. Why? - Liahona, February 2024
- Redesigning My Life after Loss - Liahona, March 2019
Remember the above resources are just examples of the many resources available that can help us find comfort, hope, and healing as we turn to the Savior and His words. As we turn to the Savior, we discover that our burdens can be lightened, our hearts can find peace, and “God shall wipe away all tears from [our] eyes” (Revelations 21:4).