By Elder Quentin L. Cook understanding, or faith in the Father’s Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles plan—who look at the world only through the lens of mortality with its wars, violence, disease, and evil—this life can seem depressing, chaotic, unfair, and meaningless. Church lead- The Songs They ers have compared this perspective with someone walking into the middle of a three-act play.3 Those without Could Not Sing knowledge of the Father’s plan do not understand what happened in the first act, or the premortal existence, and While we do not know all the answers, we do know the purposes established there; nor do important principles that allow us to face tragedies they understand the clarification and with faith and confidence. resolution that come in the third act, which is the glorious fulfillment of the Father’s plan. Many do not appreciate that under any people face significant Why are those who are righteous and His loving and comprehensive plan, problems or even tragedy in the Lord’s service not immune from those who appear to be disadvantaged during this mortal journey. such tragedies? through no fault of their own are not M 4 All over the world we see examples of While we do not know all the ultimately penalized. trials and tribulations.1 We are moved in answers, we do know important prin- In a few months it will be 100 years our souls by television images of death, ciples that allow us to face tragedies since the tragic sinking of the Titanic acute suffering, and despair. We see the with faith and confidence that there ocean liner. The calamitous circum- Japanese struggling heroically against is a bright future planned for each stances surrounding this horrendous devastation from an earthquake and of us. Some of the most important event have resonated across the tsunami. The haunting scenes from the principles are: entire century since it occurred. The destruction of the World Trade Center First, we have a Father in Heaven, promoters of the new luxury liner, towers, which we recently reviewed, who knows and loves us person- which was 11 stories high and almost were painful to relive. Something stirs ally and understands our suffering 3 football fields long,5 made excessive us when we become aware of such perfectly. and unjustified claims as to the lack of tragedy, especially when suffered by Second, His Son, Jesus Christ, is vulnerability of the Titanic to winter innocent people. our Savior and Redeemer, whose waters full of icebergs. This ship was Sometimes tragedies are very Atonement not only provides for supposedly unsinkable; yet when it personal. A son or daughter dies early salvation and exaltation but also will slipped beneath the surface of the icy in life or falls victim to a devastating compensate for all the unfairness of life. Atlantic Ocean, over 1,500 souls lost disease. A loving parent’s life is taken Third, the Father’s plan of hap- their mortal lives.6 because of a thoughtless act or acci- piness for His children includes not In many ways the sinking of the dent. Whenever tragedy occurs, we only a premortal and mortal life but Titanic is a metaphor for life and mourn and strive to bear one another’s also an eternal life as well, including many gospel principles. It is a perfect burdens.2 We lament the things that a great and glorious reunion with example of the difficulty of looking will not be accomplished and the those we have lost. All wrongs will be only through the lens of this mortal songs that will not be sung. righted, and we will see with perfect life. The loss of life was catastrophic Among the most frequently asked clarity and faultless perspective and in its consequences but was of an questions of Church leaders are, Why understanding. accidental nature. With the carnage of does a just God allow bad things to From the limited perspective of two world wars and having just passed happen, especially to good people? those who do not have knowledge, the 10th anniversary of the destruction 104 of the World Trade Center towers, we missionaries were interviewed by a not with us?” 12 He explained to his have seen in our own time a window General Authority. He was a great companions that they all came to into the shock, agony, and moral influence in my life. England together and they all should issues surrounding events resulting When Alma was a young man, he return home together. Elder Sonne from the evil exercise of agency. There had a friend named Fred who was subsequently learned of the Titanic ’s are terrible repercussions to family, less active in the Church. They had sinking and gratefully said to his friends, and nations as a result of these numerous discussions about serving friend Fred, “You saved my life.” Fred tragedies, regardless of the cause. a mission, and eventually Alma Sonne replied, “No, by getting me on this With respect to the Titanic, lessons convinced Fred to prepare and serve. mission, you saved my life.” 13 All of were learned about the dangers of They were both called to the British the missionaries thanked the Lord for pride and traveling in troubled waters Mission. At the conclusion of their preserving them.14 and “that God is no respecter of missions, Elder Sonne, the mission Sometimes, as was the case with persons.” 7 Those involved were from secretary, made the travel arrange- Elder Sonne and his missionary associ- all walks of life. Some were rich and ments for their return to the United ates, great blessings come to those who famous, such as John Jacob Astor; but States. He booked passage on the are faithful. We should be grateful for there were also laborers, immigrants, Titanic for himself, Fred, and four all the tender mercies that come into women, children, and crew members.8 other missionaries who had also com- our lives.15 We are unaware of hosts of There were at least two Latter-day pleted their missions.10 blessings that we receive from day to Saint connections to the Titanic. Both When it came time to travel, for day. It is extremely important that we illustrate our challenge in understand- some reason Fred was delayed. Elder have a spirit of gratitude in our hearts.16 ing trials, tribulations, and tragedies Sonne canceled all six bookings to sail The scriptures are clear: those and provide insight as to how we on the new luxury liner on its maiden who are righteous, follow the Savior, might deal with them. The first is voyage and booked passage on a ship and keep His commandments will an example of being appreciative that sailed the next day.11 The four prosper in the land.17 An essential for the blessings we receive and the missionaries, who were excited about element of prospering is having the challenges we avoid. It involves Alma traveling on the Titanic, expressed Spirit in our lives. Sonne, who later served as a General their disappointment. Elder Sonne’s However, righteousness, prayer, Authority.9 He was my stake president answer paraphrased the account of and faithfulness will not always result when I was born in Logan, Utah. I Joseph and his brothers in Egypt in happy endings in mortality. Many had my mission interview with Elder recorded in Genesis: “How can we will experience severe trials. When Sonne. In those days all prospective return to our families and the lad be this happens, the very act of having November 2011 105 faith and seeking priesthood bless- staggering. Incarceration in jails and ings is approved by God. The Lord prisons as a result of alcohol- and has declared, “The elders . shall be drug-related crime is also very high.24 called, and shall pray for and lay their The incidence of divorce because hands upon them in my name; and if of infidelity is also significant. Many of they die they shall die unto me, and if these trials and tribulations could be they live they shall live unto me.” 18 avoided by obedience to God’s laws.25 It is instructive that the second My beloved mission president, Latter-day Saint connection with Elder Marion D. Hanks (who passed the Titanic did not have a happy away in August), asked us as mis- mortal ending. Irene Corbett was 30 sionaries to memorize a statement to years old. She was a young wife and resist mortal challenges: “There is no mother from Provo, Utah. She had chance, no fate, no destiny that can significant talents as an artist and circumvent or hinder or control the musician; she was also a teacher and firm resolve of a determined soul.” 26 a nurse. At the urging of medical When the Prophet Joseph Smith He acknowledged that this professionals in Provo, she attended a was a prisoner in Liberty Jail, the Lord doesn’t apply to all the challenges six-month course of study on mid- declared to him that multiple calami- we encounter but is true in spiritual wife skills in London. It was her great ties can befall mankind. The Savior matters. I have appreciated his coun- desire to make a difference in the stated in part, “If thou be cast into the sel in my life. world. She was careful, thoughtful, deep; if the billowing surge conspire One of the reasons for the terrible prayerful, and valiant. One of the rea- against thee; if fierce winds become loss of life on the Titanic is that there sons she chose the Titanic to return thine enemy; .