Question
Gramps,
Will those who struggle with mental illness still struggle after they die?
Ginger
Answer
Ginger,
This is a great question, and from our scripture we have nothing to really answer this question (specific to mental illness); however, we do have insight from a general standpoint that does answer this question (to a degree). Let’s review some scriptures that generally respond to this question:
1. Jacob 2:8, “And it supposeth me that they have come up hither to hear the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul.” (emphasis mine).
2. Mormon 9:14, “And then cometh the judgment of the Holy One upon them; and then cometh the time that he that is filthy shall be filthy still; and he that is righteous shall be righteous still; he that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy still.” (emphasis mine)
3. 1 Nephi 11:31, “And he spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Lamb of God going forth among the children of men. And I beheld multitudes of people who were sick, and who were afflicted with all manner of diseases, and with devils and unclean spirits; and the angel spake and showed all these things unto me. And they were healed by the power of the Lamb of God; and the devils and the unclean spirits were cast out.” (emphasis mine)
It seems when we are resurrected we will be resurrected according to the same thoughts we currently have. The scripture #2 highlights this generally by saying “he that is happy shall be happy still”. The other two verses highlight two items of importance: 1) The word of God heals the wounded soul (mental illness can be described as a heart, mind, or soul that is wounded), and 2) We are “healed by the power of the Lamb of God.”
When we are resurrected, and have been gifted to rise in the morning of the first resurrection we will be those who will inherit eternal life (exaltation). We will be those who have been covered by the blood of Christ. Perfection will continue to be a process through the atonement of Jesus Christ. This means, if we are still unhappy due to some result in this earth life, we will eventually be able to overcome all our impurities through Christ. Eventually, our hurt will be overcome with the joy given by the gift of repentance.
We will also no longer be tempted by the adversary. We will be able to see things as they really are, and as such, mental illness will be a part of our past. We will become more and more like our Savior and as such more and more like our Father in heaven. As one who has struggled greatly with his own self-worth in this life I look forward to the time where this will not be the case. In saying that though, we still need to do our part here to seek to overcome through the Lord’s Atonement. We need to trust in his mercy, grace, and love. We need to trust in the enabling power of the Atonement. This way, when we are restored it will also be our nature to overcome through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
Initially, it seems like we will still struggle with something (as we aren’t perfect). As we progress though, we will eventually lose this struggle as Satan will no longer be able to tempt or to try us. We will only have the love of our Savior, and in that love mental illness will slow fade into happiness. Not because we ourselves are great, but because the Lord is true and faithful.
Gramps
