Despair

Despair

Definition

From the LDS perspective, despair is an emotional state of being without hope, especially gospel hope for forgiveness and salvation.

Cause

The Book of Mormon states that “if ye have no hope ye must needs be in despair; and despair cometh because of iniquity” (Moroni 10:22). When we stop believing God and start believing Satan, the Great Deceiver, we despair.

Cures

Since a lack of hope is the cause of despair, hope is crucial for the cure. God repeatedly counsels us to “be of good cheer” (John 16:33, Acts 27:22), and to hope and rejoice. So where does a person obtain hope?

Latter-day theology teaches us that faith and hope cannot be separated. Second Corinthians 4:8 tells us that while the saints may be perplexed, they need not experience despair, so we know that faith in the gospel gives hope. That hope is maintained by obeying the commandments and acting in righteousness, which is an exercise of our faith and rejects iniquity. We believe that when we do our best we have a clear conscience and are happy, cheerful, and optimistic.

But we believe that a deep understanding of the gospel plan also helps. Latter-day Saints look at things from an eternal perspective, not just from our time on earth, often painful and unsatisfying, and so we receive not only hope but comfort. With that, we realize that “This, too, shall pass,” “With God, all things are possible” (including enduring many difficult adversities), and “All things work for good for those who love the Lord.” We know that our torment and unhappiness is temporary and better times are ahead. We know that we can make it, though we sometimes fail. We know we're forgiven when we repent. And we know that, through Christ's Atonement, we can be saved. Paul pointed to our “hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Tit. 1:2). So we trust that there is reason and purpose in what may seem at times like a senseless and unfeeling universe. We know, through our pursuit of an active, vibrant relationship with our Father in Heaven and our Savior, that we are loved and valued. Our hope is always centered in Christ. We believe not only in His existence and glory, but we believe His promises--and His intention and power to fulfill them.

Mormons also believe that the Holy Ghost, who bears witness of Christ and His Atonement, will not allow us to suffer despair if we remain worthy of his presence. Paul testifies that we “may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 15:13). The Holy Ghost wields a power that warms, lifts, and comforts us when we feel downhearted, wretched, needy, or abandoned. He reminds us of God's love and devotion for us. He reminds us that everything created, materially and spiritually, has been for our benefit, that our Heavenly Father's concerns for us launched the entire gospel plan: the creation of the earth for our enjoyment and benefit, prophets to counsel and guide us, and most of all, our Savior who suffered and died for us. The Holy Ghost abides with us in times that try our faith and souls. In the valley of deepest depression, when we can see nothing but blackness, no bottom, no top, and no sides, he pulls us out and lifts us to the light. He helps us see that never, in the deepest recesses of our Father's heart, can we find negligence or lack of concern for us. We learn with keener understanding that he will never throw us away; we can only walk away from him. Understanding this, we do not despair. We hope.