And wo is me because of their wickedness; for my heart has been filled with sorrow because of their wickedness, all my days; nevertheless, I know that I shall be lifted up at the last day.
– Mormon 2:19
As I read Mormon’s words in Mormon 2:19, I sense the weight of sorrow he felt for the wickedness of his people. He lived among them, witnessing their decline into choices that distanced them from God’s love and peace. Mormon’s heartache is very deep, yet it strikes me that even in the midst of such despair, he clings to hope. He writes, “nevertheless, I know that I shall be lifted up at the last day.” In these words, I see a spirit trusting in the Lord’s ultimate promises despite the bleakness around him. I do not think it to be that difficult to relate to Mormon’s sorrow in our own day. There are moments when we look around at the world and feel that deep ache within our hearts. Sometimes it is due to what we see on the news, with conflicts, political strife, and injustices that weigh on our spirits. Other times, it is closer to home—loved ones making choices that draw them away from faith, leaving us feeling helpless. In these moments of feeling that “woe,” it can be challenging to find hope. Yet, like Mormon, we can find solace in knowing that Heavenly Father’s promises are sure and that He sees our sorrow.
The New Testament offers a similar message of hope in John 16:33. Jesus tells His disciples, “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.” Christ knew we would face heartbreak, trials, and even despair. However, He reassures us that He has already overcome these things. His words do not dismiss our sorrows but rather invite us to see beyond them—to look towards a future when all wrongs are made right, when His victory becomes our reality.
When I look at Mormon’s words through this lens, I can see that feeling sorrow for the wickedness and sufferings of the world is not a sign of weakness or faithlessness. Instead, it is a reflection of a heart that is sensitive to the things of God—a heart that longs for others to know the peace and joy that He offers. At the same time, with all these sorrows, we are invited to look up and trust that in Christ, we will find ultimate deliverance and peace.
In my life, I have found that the key to enduring such heartache is not to ignore or dismiss it, but to allow it to deepen my resolve to love and serve others, even when it feels like the world around me is indifferent to God’s call. I think of the many people who inspire me by their quiet faithfulness, pressing forward even when their surroundings seem to oppose them. They live with a firm hope in God’s promises, just as Mormon did, knowing that being lifted up at the last day is not an empty assurance, but a truth rooted in Christ’s resurrection and victory.
Thus, when I read Mormon’s words, I am reminded that while we may sorrow over the world’s sins, we are not to lose sight of God’s ultimate plan. We are called to endure with faith, to lift up our eyes to Him who has overcome all things. This hope allows us to press on, even in the darkest of days, knowing that we too shall be lifted up.
