DIVORCE: CAN THE SAVIOR HELP THOSE SUFFERING?

A scary statistic is that almost 50% of marriages in the United States will end in divorce or separation.  The suffering of spouses and children in a divorce can become almost unbearable.  Can the Savior Jesus Christ help those suffering if they seek His help?

A Wife Relates Her Suffering from a Divorce and the Savior’s Help

“I had sensed something was wrong with my husband’s affection for me, but I was not prepared for the devastating words of his letter, which included an admission of infidelity. As I agonized over the probable repercussions to our 15-year marriage, I felt desperately alone. I decided to seek strength from Heavenly Father. I had been rejected by my husband, but the Savior had not left me alone. He who “hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53: 4 in the Bible) strengthened me.  I was astonished at the variety of burdens that weighed me down as I struggled with my marriage. But through each hardship, I grew to comprehend the Lord’s perfect ability to understand my suffering and to succor me.  Because of this experience and many others, teachings about the Atonement became more to me than just phrases and ideas; they became life-altering truths. Repentance, forgiveness, faith in our Savior—these truths became principles of action that brought much-needed blessings into my life. Through practical experience, I came to appreciate more fully the powerful reality of Jesus Christ’s ability to succor and heal…Had to seek financial assistance from my family, ward, and state; endured a cancer scare of my own; recovered from a serious car accident; struggled to complete my bachelor’s degree; and suffered job-search disappointments. By the end of that year, I was stripped of pride. I felt unencumbered before the Lord—and by a complete dependence on Him as my only anchor in a sea of change.

Yet instead of feeling despondent, I saw my state as an opportunity for Heavenly Father to work His will in my life. I began to understand the relationship between adversity and spiritual refinement. During my troubles, I frequently asked myself, What would Heavenly Father want me to do in this situation? I sought specific answers through prayer, scripture study, pondering, and temple attendance. Through this process of seeking and receiving divine guidance, I acquired increased patience and deeper trust in Heavenly Father.”  (Article in the Liahona Magazine September 1999 entitled “How the Atonement (of Jesus Christ) Helped Me survive Divorce)

A High School Aged Youth Talks About Her Suffering from the Divorce of Her Parents.

“During my freshman year of high school, my parents got divorced. (caused by the father).

‘I hate you!’ I yelled over and over, sobbing. I was furious. How could he do this to our family? I thought. How could he lie to us for so long?

The initial shock and anger didn’t last long. Within a couple of weeks, my anger gave way to numbness. At first, numbness was a relief from the anger and pain I felt, but eventually my relief changed to desperation. I felt my life crashing down around me. More than ever before, I needed to feel connected to heaven. I needed to feel God’s love, guidance, peace, and healing…As I thought this, I started remembering the many small witnesses I had received that the scriptures were true… that Heavenly Father had blessed my family, and that keeping the commandments brought peace. It was as if I had a reservoir of testimony.

The more I reflected on my past spiritual witnesses, the more I realized that even though I desperately wanted to feel the Spirit, it really didn’t matter that I could not feel His influence at that exact moment. I already had a store of quiet, constant witnesses that the gospel was true.  That knowledge sustained me and gave me the desire to continue keeping the commandments even when there seemed to be no immediate payoff. Gradually, I felt Heavenly Father’s and the Savior’s love more in my life. Staying close to Them, even when I couldn’t always feel Them near, brought me an undeniable peace and a stronger testimony of the Savior’s gospel. This continues to influence me now when I face uncertainty or heartache. I know I can trust Heavenly Father and the Savior, and that They will heal, uplift, and strengthen me.” (“Reservoir of Testimony” in the Liahona Magazine January, 2020)

The Good News of the Gospel

The good news of the gospel is not the promise of a life free of sorrow and tribulation but a life where our sorrows and afflictions can be swallowed up in the joy of Christ.”  The Savior declared,  “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 in the Bible) His gospel is a message of hope.  Sorrow coupled with hope in Jesus Christ holds the promise of eventually enduring joy.