Suicide

mormoncutter · #1 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 02:02 PM

My best friend shot himself in the head to months ago, and I've been thinking a lot about it lately because his birthday was a week ago. One of my friends who is lds said that he is going to go to hell because he took his life. Is that true? Because I really don't think that god would send you to hell fore killing your self especially if you had a mental disorder, and my friend was suffering from vary saver depression. So what after death? is he going to go to hell? Will I ever see him again?

Canuck Mormon · #2 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 02:15 PM

There is no "hell" in Mormonism. There is "Outer Darkness", but that is reserved for the "Sons of Perdition".

We do not know what level of glory your friend will receive, that is up to Christ, but I do believe that you will see him again.

utcowboy · #3 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 02:24 PM

I have every belief that you will see your friend again. I hope that you will do everything in your power to learn the gospel of Christ so that you can see him again. I wish you the best in the future and hop you find what you are looking for.

NateHowe · #4 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 02:29 PM

Jesus Christ is the great Judge, and He is the only one who can judge your friend. He knows you as well, and will help you to be comforted through the Holy Ghost. Turn to Him, and your lasting questions will be answered in time.

havejoy · #5 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 02:49 PM

Sadly, I've had several friends who have committed suicide. My Bishop has assured me they are safe and in the care of our Father and He knows their suffering and loves them immeasurably.

MaidservantX · #6 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 05:23 PM

It sounds like your friend's story is similar to my father's (who took his own life, also with a gun, in 1994). I hope and expect to see him again. I know that he was a great example to me of loving others.

This is what the LDS.org site says about suicide:

LDS.org - Topic Definition____

Here is also a search page from LDS.org about mental illness:

LDS.org - Search

You must be in deep grief. I hope you have the support you need for yourself, or can reach out for it. God bless.

Loudmouth_Mormon · #7 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mormoncutter

One of my friends who is lds said that he is going to go to hell because he took his life. Is that true?

Your friend needs to be chastized for taking upon himself the job of judging your friend's soul. Only God can do that.

In LDS doctrine, we do believe that chosing to take your own life is akin to murder, which is one of the top three bad things you can do. We also believe that some people can be mentally ill to the point where they are not accountable for their own actions. Finally, we believe that it isn't our job, it isn't in our stewardship, and we're not well equipped to see inside someone's heart or mental state and make the judgement on that person's state of mind.

Alexander B. Morrison has a book out called Valley of Sorrow: A Layman's Guide to Understanding Mental Illness where this is all pretty clearly spelled out in a chapter on suicide. If your LDS friend gives you any more crap, point him to this book and tell him to educate himself on what this church actually believes.

LM

Traveler · #8 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mormoncutter

My best friend shot himself in the head to months ago, and I've been thinking a lot about it lately because his birthday was a week ago. One of my friends who is lds said that he is going to go to hell because he took his life. Is that true? Because I really don't think that god would send you to hell fore killing your self especially if you had a mental disorder, and my friend was suffering from vary saver depression. So what after death? is he going to go to hell? Will I ever see him again?

I believe everyone will end up exactly where they want to be. My father put it another way. We are what we have spent our life becoming - nothing more and nothing less.

The Traveler

BenRaines · #9 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 09:33 PM

As hard as most people fight to the last breath not to die I personally do not believe anyone in their right mind would intentionally take their own life. That said then those who take their own life are not in their right mind. I am glad that it is up to the one who paid the ultimate price for all, Jesus Christ, to be the one who decides who is in their right mind and the intent of their heart.

Ben Raines

prisonchaplain · #10 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 11:55 PM

I had a loved one kill himself three days after converting to faith in Jesus. Was he sincere? Did he do it for me? Is he in heaven or hell? I prayed for three weeks. Finally, God spoke to me and said, "I am just and fair and merciful." I realized that I had not been assured of the fate of my loved one, but rather of the character of my God. Come the day of Judgment, when we see who goes where--see as Jesus sees--clearly--there will be no objections, no doubts. All will say that God was good, fair, just and that when mercy was possible, it was extended. I still do not have a sure answer about the fate of my loved one...but I trust God.