The phrase “to mourn with
those that mourn” has been running through my head again and again recently. It
is a call from Alma to the followers of Christ as they prepare to enter into
the covenant of baptism, found in Mosiah 18:9. I have read it many times
throughout my life and I have taught that it is a part of our
baptismal covenant. And yet, I am quick to ignore or forget the charge to show empathy. In the chaos
that is our lives and despite our attempts at discipleship, we often forget
that we have covenanted to show compassion. It is easier to mark off our
outward signs of obedience from a spiritual ‘to do’ list than it is to seek
empathy for those in distress.
This command to mourn
with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort has no qualifying
statement. It isn’t saying to only comfort those who are easy to get along
with. It doesn’t ask to only mourn with those that are the same as you. Instead
we are to seek out those with burdens too great to bear on their own, no matter
their circumstances. This is what Christ did and what he calls us to do.
These
words first become fixed in my mind this week when they were spoken at a
training by a volunteer on the rape crisis team for the area. She was asked why
she continues to volunteer and she said that it was her opportunity to mourn
with those that mourn. I have been surrounded lately by men and women who do
not put up a pretense of being perfect, and yet they strive to reach out to
those who are victimized, mistreated, neglected, or forgotten. I see the Redeemer
in their actions, even if religion is not their motivation. God does not ask us
to change the world, He asks that we simply “mourn with those that mourn.” To me
this means refraining from judgement, offering a listening ear, and doing your
best to empathize and feel a portion of their pain. No one demonstrated this
better than the Savior.
I,
like most people, have been astounded by the number of violent acts occurring around
the world. No matter the cause nor the perpetrator of such violence, we are
asked to mourn with those affected. In our efforts to have compassion for these
victims, we cannot forget to also have compassion upon those within our sphere
of influence. There is such a need locally to reach out to the poor, the
refugee, the victim, the depressed. Thus, our covenant to show compassion is
meant to be for all humankind, but is especially important for those on whom we
can and do have an influence.
I want to share a recent experience concerning a girl I completely
admire and love I met in the Philippines. Her name is Amysthea and I was influenced by her example from the first time we met. She was a funny, cheerful
girl in her late teens to whom you couldn't help but attach yourself. I later
met her entire family and grew to love them all individually. We quickly learned
that Amysthea acted as a part time mother for her family. Her father was away working most of the year so Amysthea would cook and sell food in the morning,
watch her siblings, disciplining them when necessary, and take care of the house.
This was all on top of the necessary hours she spent at school.
I heard from
Amysthea this week that things are not going well for her family. Her mother
has been in the hospital and has many medical problems. In order to care
for her mother, Amysthea and her sister alternate missing days of school to
stay at home. This young 19-year-old girl has taken on the role of caretaker
for her family, sacrificing her schooling and her time for them.
News about their
family came at a time when I was feeling overwhelmed. I was struggling and this news about a beloved family seemed, at first, to be another burden. Suddenly, however, my problems seemed to fade. I felt chastened as the thought to “mourn with those
that mourn” came into my mind and I was filled with empathy. I thought
of the many times Amysthea had reached out to me, even when her family was under so
much strain. She continues to be a light for others and I hope to lightened some of her burden.
Amysthea showed me what it means to
be “willing
to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to
mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of
comfort.”As we carry each
other’s burdens and find compassion for those in sorrow we follow in the
footsteps of our Savior.
