LDS views on mental health/suicide

[Jsmoltz29]

Na

Edited February 4, 2017 by Jsmoltz29
Na

[NeuroTypical]

Not at all, Jsmoltz. Here's some good reading material for you:

Myths about Mental Illness - By Elder Alexander B. Morrison Of the Seventy - 2005 October Ensign

Folks would line up to give you a priesthood blessing.

[Guest LDS_Guy_1986]

My name is Joey. I am from a 3rd generation LDS family and have been inactive for about 10 years. During that time I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and attempted suicide multiple times. I miss church and would give anything for the reassurance of a priesthood blessing, but I feel i have already condemned myself to hell and will never have eternal life with my family. What can I do? Please help me...

Joey know that you are not damned nor condemned to Hell. Satan wishes for you to believe these lies because he desires for you to never return to be with your father in heaven like he never will.

You have made some mistakes and tired to take your life several times but know that God is not a respecter of persons. Sin is sin in his eyes, and they are all equally destructive to our spiritual progression.

Unless you have rejected the Holy Ghost (or murdered a person after becoming a member of the Church) you are able to repent and be forgiven of your sins.

I invite you to attend services and to begin the process of repenting and receiving the loving mercy of Jesus Christ in your life.

Jesus Christ knows that your pain and your afflictions he wants to succor you and make you stronger through the power of God!

I am sorry to hear of your afflictions and will keep you in my prayer!

Remember what is said in Mosiah 26:30 "Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me."

[Seminarysnoozer]

Not at all, Jsmoltz. Here's some good reading material for you:

Myths about Mental Illness - By Elder Alexander B. Morrison Of the Seventy - 2005 October Ensign

Folks would line up to give you a priesthood blessing.

That is an awesome article!

I agree that sin is defined as deliberate action against God's commandments and direction. And the Lord will be the judge of those actions taking into consideration the state of mind of that individual. Just like any disease there are things that are under a person's control to decrease their chances of experiencing complications from that disease. Like a person with diabetes carefully watching their diet. Especially, in bipolar disease, for example, making sure one gets adequate sleep is more important than it would be for someone who doesn't have bipolar disease. The odds of having problems may not be dropped to zero but making sure one understands all the factors that are under their control in any disease is important and will be part of what we are judged on. If even one doesn't understand much about a particular disease there are many helpful passages in the D&C that give recommendations about good health, eating and sleep.

As has been said, you are never too far to come back to Christ. You will be received with open arms. Christ knows you and loves you and knows what trials you have faced. Down the road you, Joey, might encounter someone who is facing similar challenges you did and will be wanting your help. They may be depending on your knowledge and experience in such things. Joey, you are in my prayers as well.

[MormonMama]

Joey, you are absolutely NOT condemned! I also have bipolar disorder, as well as depression and ADHD. As a teen I tried to commit suicide twice. Today I am a temple recommend-holding member of the Church, sealed in the temple and I have held many callings over the years. My bishop and many members of my ward are well aware that I struggle with these disorders and I'm not the only one who does (not by a long shot). I can assure you that you are not condemned at all.

I have received Priesthood blessings to help me with the struggles that these mental disorders cause. I was referred for counseling by my bishop who helped me find a counselor who was sympathetic to LDS beliefs (since LDS Family Services is not covered by my insurance). This type of help is available to you as well, but you have to let someone know that you need it.

Going back to church and getting a Priesthood blessing is one of the best things you can do to help yourself. While I certainly won't claim that all my problems have gone away with Priesthood blessings, they definitely help me cope. The church also has access to resources to help you with this.

Go back to church and talk to your bishop about this. He is there for you and he will sympathize with you. Who knows, he might even have some of the same struggles!

Most of all, take care of yourself and get the help you need. Bipolar disorder can be a horrible thing to deal with, but you don't have to do it alone. Good luck! :)

[Backroads]

I've never held to the simple statement that suicide=hell. God has to be a lot more understanding than that.

[HEthePrimate]

My name is Joey. I am from a 3rd generation LDS family and have been inactive for about 10 years. During that time I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and attempted suicide multiple times. I miss church and would give anything for the reassurance of a priesthood blessing, but I feel i have already condemned myself to hell and will never have eternal life with my family. What can I do? Please help me...

Hi Joey,

First of all, let me reassure you that you are NOT condemned to hell, and you still have every chance of eternal life with your family. The reason you feel otherwise is because you are depressed. There are chemical interactions going on in your body that make you feel that way. It is not your fault, and those feelings do not reflect reality--they are just feelings.

The good news is bipolar disorder is treatable. There's no cure, and you may continue having struggles, but with treatment it can be managed. My mother has bipolar. She was not diagnosed for a long time, which was one reason why she had such a difficult early life, but once she was diagnosed, they eventually found treatments that helped her. Even though she does still get depressed from time to time, she is doing a LOT better now, and leads a fulfilling life.

Church leaders are becoming more aware of these issues, and a couple of General Authorities have written books you might find of interest:

Ballard, M. Russell. Suicide: Some Things We Know and Some We Don't. Deseret Book Co., 1993. ISBN 0-87579-766-0

Morrison, Alexander B. Valley of Sorrow: A Layman's Guide to Understanding Mental Illness for Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003. ISBN 1590380878

I wish you the best.

HEP

[bytor2112]

I think the Lord might take a dimmer view of those that "kill themselves" over time via smoking or alcohol or some other destructive practice. Surely, mental illness is as much hell as physical illness.

[bert10]

Many are teaching worldly wisdom which is foolishness. If one knows that there is no such things as Accidents and luck of the draw...that God has never given permission for mental problems or diseases that one has....is in denial of a GOD who is powerfull and all knowing.

This is also part of the good news. We are all given or allowed to receive what is GOOD FOR US. Even Mental problems are for our good. The flesh always follow after the Spirit. Remember the Spirit came first then the flesh and then the two are reunited to be one in the Spirit.

There is nothing that cannot be made better with the priesthood blessing when they are given by men of faith. This is the good news. The woes that comes into our lives can be made better or entirely removed according to our faith.

Bipolar is a hard thing to deal with. Praise and thank GOD for loving you enough to let you have this. For if men are not chastised they are not GOD's.

Do not confuse chastisement and punishment, they are not exactly the same. The first is before Judgment and the other is after judgment. Normally which is not always...when a judgment is pronounced it is not removed.

As for your Spiritual state, do not give up on it. Read and understand Hebrews chapter 6:4-6 concerning falling after tasting of the things of the Spirit Also I will put down what Alma said....

Alma 39:6 - For behold, if ye deny the Holy Ghost when it once has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny it, behold, this is a sin which is unpardonable; yea, and whosoever murdereth against the light and knowledge of God, it is not easy for him to obtain forgiveness; yea, I say unto you, my son, that it is not easy for him to obtain a forgiveness.

Alma 39:7 - And now, my son, I would to God that ye had not been guilty of so great a crime. I would not dwell upon your crimes, to harrow up your soul, if it were not for your good.

Alma 39:9 - Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross yourself in these things.

So do not give up. Cheer up, Where there is life we can have a vision of the thing we want...then follows hope and after this comes faith and works.

bert10

My name is Joey. I am from a 3rd generation LDS family and have been inactive for about 10 years. During that time I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and attempted suicide multiple times. I miss church and would give anything for the reassurance of a priesthood blessing, but I feel i have already condemned myself to hell and will never have eternal life with my family. What can I do? Please help me...

Edited February 2, 2011 by bert10