Reflections on Sorrow

Because of mortal life we have sorrow. Each of us are granted life through the sorrow of our mothers or the women who gave birth to us (to not offend those who may bear resentment). They shouldn't bear that sorrow alone. That's why we have fathers. Fathers also bear sorrow through work, the lack thereof or the knowledge of support for a family and in many cases; worry of being unable to do so. That is why mothers exist. I know that not all situations allow for this. Some are single parents, some have two mothers or two fathers and some have no parents at all. In this deary world our sour is multiplied. At times our closest companion is unsympathetic. It hurts. Know its for thy experience and own good.

If we feel alone, know we were made in the image of God. We came from God. However, we are made to wander in this place for a long time. In fact, we are told that everyone that was born on this earth chose God's plan to return and live with him. The time we wander is short to God. But to us with a limited view of the blessings we have the journey seems long. I agree with Joseph Fielding Smith when he wrote his poem, now in the LDS hymn book, "Does the Journey Seem Long?" The journey does seem long and sometimes I want to stop. I wonder at times why can't I? or can I make it back by taking this easier path?

We are told that the path is straight and narrow. It doesn't say the way is straight, narrow and flat. The trials we have are our hills. Life is like a hot summer's day. When we climb those hills we get hot and sweaty and lose our strength. In spite of this pain we have the Atonement. It can manifest in many ways; sometimes it's overcast, the wind is blowing and it may drizzle a bit. Doesn't the scene seem perfect in the summer? In contrast, we may just be granted a pair of sunglasses. These tow situations may not seem fair.

They're not. Each person cannot be granted the same amount of fairness. Why? Each life is different. However, we have the same commandments. We're expected to follow them. Because we are human we are like a broken vessel seemingly unable to return to our Father in Heaven. How can we get back if God doesn't allow one clean thing? I'll tell you how. If we do our best, utilizing the Atonement we are saved by Grace. Grace in simple terms is the ability given through the Atonement to all people to repent so they can return. In essence they are made clean. Isn't that amazing? To be told we can be clean and all we have to do is live a good life and repent? That's all we have to do. The hills of life can be climbed and if we struggle we have Christ as a guide to pull us through the difficult terrain. The summer days can be joyous days. Then, when we pull through our trials, we can shout at the top of the hill, "I did it!"