Matthew 5:4 reads, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."
3 Nephi 12:4 reads, "And again, blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."
When I read that beatitude, I tend to think of it as a comforting statement. It seemingly seems to say, "I know you're in pain, but soon, you will find comfort." It is almost a statement of reassurance to the one mourning.
But let's take a step back and look at the underlying premise of that statement.
For one to mourn, one first has to have had a desire or deep love for something. Then, the object on which that love or desire is placed must be removed from the one desiring or loving. Once the separation takes place and a void is left, then comes the mourning.
Is Jesus really saying, that those who are in mourning, they will find comfort in Him? Does Christ fill the void? I think the answer is: yes!
Whatever was lost; whatever void is in our life, Christ can fill it; Christ can comfort us.
If we mourn the death of someone close to us, Christ can comfort us.
If we mourn a lost or wayward child or loved one, Christ can comfort us - He can also rescue the wayward child!
If we "mourn" the loss of a habit we are trying to break, Christ can comfort us - He can fill the void left by the removal of addictions. He can even heal the scars.
If we "mourn" our sins, Christ can and will comfort us.
And not only when we have lost something and are mourning can we find comfort, but we are also to mourn with those that mourn.
Mourning with those that mourn essentially means we have charity for them ... that we place ourself in their shoes and feel their mourning.
We are to mourn.
We are to seek Christ to comfort us.
We are to mourn with others that mourn.
We are to be Christ-like and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.
Related scriptures:
Mosiah 18:8-9
