Pain and suffering - The Atonement covers all pain

What most other Christian churches, if not all other Christian churches don't understand is that the Atonement does not just cover sins, but all of the pains and problems this imperfect world creates. It's through this that the Savior has power to help us in all situations, not just situations of guilt or pain due to sin.

It's also when we're most humble (often when in pain) that we have the opportunity to be close to Heaven. It is in these circumstances that people have been able to see that what Elisha explained in 2 Kings to his young companion is still true today.

When Elisha was surrounded by an army, here's what happened (2 Kings 6):

14Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.

15And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

16And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

17And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his ^aeyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and^bchariots of fire round about Elisha.

18And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto theLord, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with ^ablindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

Heavenly help was close. Note this story from conference about heavenly help:

I have noted that children are often more naturally accepting of pain and suffering. They quietly endure with humility and meekness. I have felt a beautiful, sweet spirit surrounding these little ones.

Thirteen-year-old Sherrie underwent a 14-hour operation for a tumor on her spinal cord. As she regained consciousness in the intensive care unit, she said: “Daddy, Aunt Cheryl is here, … and … Grandpa Norman … and Grandma Brown … are here. And Daddy, who is that standing beside you? … He looks like you, only taller. … He says he’s your brother, Jimmy.” Her uncle Jimmy had died at age 13 of cystic fibrosis.

“For nearly an hour, Sherrie … described her visitors, all deceased family members. Exhausted, she then fell asleep.”

Later she told her father, “Daddy, all of the children here in the intensive care unit have angels helping them.”

In addition - Stephanie Nielson who was badly burned in a plane crash talks about heavenly visitors while she was in a medically induced coma during this interview:

^{http://radio.lds.org/programs/conversations-episode-26?lang=eng}

Finally, Elder Hales in General Conference in 2000 mentions he had heavenly visitors during his time of intense pain:

After recovering from three major surgeries which have prevented me from speaking in the past two general conferences, what a joy it is to be able to stand in this beautiful Conference Center today to teach and bear testimony to those who desire to hear the word of the Lord.

Dark moments of depression were quickly dispelled by the light of the gospel as the Spirit brought peace and comfort with assurances that all would be well.

On a few occasions, I told the Lord that I had surely learned the lessons to be taught and that it wouldn’t be necessary for me to endure any more suffering. Such entreaties seemed to be of no avail, for it was made clear to me that this purifying process of testing was to be endured in the Lord’s time and in the Lord’s own way. It is one thing to teach, “Thy will be done” (Matt. 26:42). It is another to live it. I also learned that I would not be left alone to meet these trials and tribulations but that guardian angels would attend me. There were some that were near angels in the form of doctors, nurses, and most of all my sweet companion, Mary. And on occasion, when the Lord so desired, I was to be comforted with visitations of heavenly hosts that brought comfort and eternal reassurances in my time of need.

- back to myself:

I don't believe the only time angels are involved is when we're sick. That is when we are most disposed to be able to see them. I believe we will be very happy when we see how much help we had in this life, though we never have been able to see it.

Have a great day.

LaDon