How do we cope with all the violence and suffering in the world?

I have been thinking about this recently and felt it would be a good topic to write about it. When one takes a good look at the world around him/her, specifically in developing countries, he/she cannot help but ask, "How does God allow this to happen?" "Has God forsaken us, those people, that country?" I have also asked this question before and was thinking about it again. As I have been studying the word of God a few things have come to me to help me understand how God works in all of this. I will use scripture both from the Bible as well as modern scripture revealed through the prophet Joseph Smith (namely: the Book of Mormon).

The first comforting thought that gave me peace concerning this topic was the atonement of Jesus Christ. As reveled in modern times we know that not only did the Lord suffer for and pay the price for our sins, but he also suffered all the pains, afflictions, sorrows and feelings of mankind. In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Alma teaches this principle beautifully. Speaking of Christ he says, "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people" (Alma 7:11) It is interesting that sin is not even mentioned in this verse. This is not to say that Alma disregarded or disbelieved in any way the redemption from sin that Christ made possible through his suffering. More so it shows that Alma's focus at this time for this people was to understand even more profoundly WHAT Christ suffered for and why.

Alma goes on to explain this more in the following verse:

"And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he 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" (Alma 7:12, emphasis added).

Now we really see what Alma is trying to teach us: that Christ suffered so much for us so that he could understand how we feel in every situation. Of course he knows all and has eternal understanding, but this physical experience gave him not only the knowledge of what we would feel, but exactly how it feels. It's like studying math, you can read all the books and "know" what math is and "how" to do it, but until you actually have to work out a problem and apply those skills, your knowledge is nothing more than information in your brain. Combined with his infinite wisdom and knowledge, this physical experience "according to the flesh" that the Lord went through allows him to perfectly say "I can help you because I really know what you are feeling." In this way not only is the Lord a perfect counselor, but will also be a perfect judge because his judgment will be based on a perfect knowledge of what we have been through.

Therefore, because of the atonement of the Lord Jesus, we can all rest assured that he knows how each of God's children on earth feels. And because of this he can offer them perfect and divine assistance. Do we understand how that all works? No. But we do have the reassuring words of modern prophets and apostles that "all that is unfair about life can be made right through the atonement of Jesus Christ" (Preach My Gospel manual, p.52; “News of the Church,” Ensign, May 2006, 122–28). This statement gives us great hope when facing the cruel reality of the tragic and violent lives of millions around the world. God is just and will make up for it all somehow and at some point. It is very important, when considering this topic of "how can there be so much bad," to have an eternal perspective. When we only look at this life as the focus of our existence and the only years that matter, we get lost in what God sees and what God has planned for our eternal existence and happiness. Not always will all wrongs be made right in this life, and we must have faith in God and live with this belief. Without it we are hopeless. Without it we will most certainly become depressed about this world. Without it we cannot hope to find peace in this life.

The Lord has also given other reassurances of his awareness and love for those who suffer in this life. In his memorable Sermon on the Mount the Lord promises the following blessings:

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth...Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:4-5, 9).

Here we may feel and know that God is aware of all those in this world who are poor, meek and who mourn and suffer. He will not abandon them, but holds for them eternal blessings of marvelous happiness and wonder. It is the testimony of the prophets, both ancient and modern, that God loves his children with an eternal and endless love; a love we cannot comprehend. He does in fact know each of child's pains and sorrows and will make restitution for all that is unfair and cruel about their lives. I add my personal testimony that this is true and that the thoughts shared above are true. May we all seek to believe in God with a greater trust that he is in fact in control and that he will bless all his children.