Mormons and Suicide

[_yorick]

I have a Mormon friend whose cousin just committed suicide. I don't know very much about Mormonism, but do they believe he'll go to hell? The family is having a burial but not a funeral. What does this mean about their perception of the cousin?

[_Mister Scratch]

I have a Mormon friend whose cousin just committed suicide. I don't know very much about Mormonism, but do they believe he'll go to hell? The family is having a burial but not a funeral. What does this mean about their perception of the cousin?

"Hell," in the normative Christian sense, does not exist in Mormon doctrine. But is suicide considered a "sin"? Yes; absolutely.

[_Pokatator]

Welcome to the board Yorick, sorry it is because of such a sad subject. I do believe that it is considered a sin but with this sin there seems to be so much room for extenuating circumstances could make it not a sin, at least in my view. How can anyone know the mind of the individual? This is one subject I will leave for God to do the judging.

With that said, this type of tragedy is one that is so hard to gain closure from for the people and loved ones that are left behind. That is why the lack of a funeral in my mind seems to be another tragedy also. The loved ones need that for any kind of chance for closure, but again that is only my opinion.

I am not sure that I am of any comfort here. This is always so difficult.

Blessing you sincerely,
Pokatator

[_LifeOnaPlate]

I have a Mormon friend whose cousin just committed suicide. I don't know very much about Mormonism, but do they believe he'll go to hell? The family is having a burial but not a funeral. What does this mean about their perception of the cousin?

"Hell," in the normative Christian sense, does not exist in Mormon doctrine. But is suicide considered a "sin"? Yes; absolutely.

It is considered a sin in an "absolute" sense? Could you provide me some references? Thanks.

[_moksha]

Would not referring to this as a sin, simply further burden grieving friends and relatives? If so, would not the true wrong-doing be the use of this perjorative term?

[_LifeOnaPlate]

I thought I'd add some references:

From an LDS perspective, suicide is a moral issue and is to be handled with particular sensitivity and human caring. The General Handbook of Instructions (1989) says, "A person who takes his own life may not be responsible for his acts. Only God can judge such a matter. A person who has considered suicide seriously or has attempted suicide should be counseled by his bishop and may be encouraged to seek professional help" (11-5). Such contacts need to be personalized and enduring. The inclination to commit suicide represents a crisis in a person's life and should not be taken lightly. Underlying causes should be identified and treated.

The body of a person who has committed suicide is not dishonored. If the person has been endowed and otherwise is in good standing with the Church, the body may be buried in temple clothes. Normal funeral procedures are followed (see Burial).

Suicide and attempted suicide are painful and dramatic aspects of human behavior, but this does not mean that they should not be dealt with in terms of the same basic principles as those applicable in understanding and managing any other aspect of human behavior. Thus, principles associated with concepts of agency, accountability, Atonement, eternal life, immortality, resurrection, and family establish the frame of reference Latter-day Saints use to guide their responses to such behaviors as they occur.

Despite traditions and beliefs that recognize and honor the ways in which value decisions led to the death and martyrdom of Jesus Christ and of Joseph Smith, there is no support in LDS doctrine for anyone intentionally seeking death.

The ancient commandment "Thou shalt not kill" is interpreted in most traditions to include a prohibition against killing oneself. In LDS doctrine, "Thou shalt not kill" has been extended to "nor do anything like unto it" (D&C 59:6). This extension is relevant in considering a variety of life-threatening behaviors that suicidologists identify as suicide equivalents (e.g., death as a result of deliberate reckless driving) or "slow suicide" (e.g., drug and alcohol abuse).

Suicide prevention sometimes is criticized by people who claim that individuals have an innate right to do whatever they want with their lives, including a right to kill themselves if they want to. Suicide, however, is never fully an individual matter. Even when difficult physical and biological factors are present, suicide is a social act, with interpersonal, family, and social systems ramifications.

A social milieu organized to help people find adequate housing and life goals of learning, loving, and working provides genuine choices between life and death. It is the position of the Church that when there are such choices, the majority of people, including those who are suicidal, will choose life. This is not to deny inequity, unfairness, conflict, instability, evil, aging, and illness of loved ones, but to provide a basis for behavior so that when crises occur, they will be seen as resolvable.

Bibliography

Ballard, M. Russell. "Suicide: Some Things We Know, and Some We Do Not." Ensign 17 (Oct. 1987):6-9.

General Handbook of Instructions. Salt Lake City, 1989.

Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 3, Suicide

Copyright © 1992 by Macmillan Publishing Company

[_Imwashingmypirate]

I feel that regardless religious beliefs, suicide is very wrong and selfish. There is never things in life one cannot get over. Yes there are many hard things but in all honesty people can get over it. We are better than that.

[_charity]

I didn't vote, because there wasn't a "yes, but. . ." option.

We are all accountable for our choices. I think sometimes people who are extremely depressed are not capable of rational choice. In that case, then the "but. . . " comes in.

God knows the heart. He judges.

If a person committs suicide, they can still have their funeral service in a Church building, and the bishop can still speak. It isn't like having to be buried outside the consecrated ground.

[_Imwashingmypirate]

I didn't vote, because there wasn't a "yes, but. . ." option.

We are all accountable for our choices. I think sometimes people who are extremely depressed are not capable of rational choice. In that case, then the "but. . . " comes in.

God knows the heart. He judges.

If a person committs suicide, they can still have their funeral service in a Church building, and the bishop can still speak. It isn't like having to be buried outside the consecrated ground.

I didn't know there was consecrated grounds for Mormons to be buried in but I guess things are diffeent here. We don't have ques for Mormons to be married in the temple.

[_charity]

I didn't vote, because there wasn't a "yes, but. . ." option.

We are all accountable for our choices. I think sometimes people who are extremely depressed are not capable of rational choice. In that case, then the "but. . . " comes in.

God knows the heart. He judges.

If a person committs suicide, they can still have their funeral service in a Church building, and the bishop can still speak. It isn't like having to be buried outside the consecrated ground.

I didn't know there was consecrated grounds for Mormons to be buried in but I guess things are diffeent here. We don't have ques for Mormons to be married in the temple.

There aren't any Mormon cemetaries. I was referring to rules on the burial place owned by other churches. In countries with state churches, the churches often have cemeteries associated with the church building. Suicides were not allowed to be buried in them.

What are you referring to about queues to be married in the temple? Queues mean long lines. ?????