Healing The Tragic Scars Of Abuse Analysis

One of my favorite songs I learned in Primary as a young LDS child was “A Child’s Prayer.” It’s opening lines are “Heavenly Father, are you really there? And do you hear and answer every child’s prayer?” For some children in the United States, they are in such destitute conditions they may doubt there is hope, or anyone above that is listening. Abusive parents, a life in poverty, or sexual abuse are only some of the problems some children in the United States are facing right now. The LDS Church places immense importance on families, and healthy familial relationships– Jesus Christ himself taught little children with love and patience, and in Matthew 19:14 he said “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is

Scott wrote a talk titled “Healing the Tragic Scars of Abuse.” He begins by discussing the effects of unresolved abuse– feelings of fear, depression, guilt, lack of trust in others, and self-hatred are among the listed emotions. Elder Scott also taught that abuse is the result of a person unrighteously using their agency, and that the Lord has provided a way to heal.

Elder Scott urges victims of abuse to seek help, and to remember they are beloved children of Heavenly Father. When someone is abused, they may wish to seek revenge on their abuser, but this action perpetuates the cycle of abuse. Elder Scott explains that as victims, they will find better peace focusing on their power to what they have control over, and what they can correct within themselves. In most cases, church and legal authorities are capable of executing justice against the offender. Regardless of legal outcome, “the unrepentant abuser will be punished by a just

Who could be better at helping one heal than Christ, who suffered every sin, and felt every emotion during the Atonement? Through Him, a victim of abuse can find forgiveness- and forgiveness can heal deep wounds and replace them with the love of Christ. In 3 Nephi 12:44, one of my favorite scriptures, Christ said “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you.” By letting the Atonement and words of the prophets into their hearts, victims of abuse will be able to stop the cycle and truly heal. It’s my testimony that abusers will have to answer to Christ for the horrible acts they have committed, and that Christ, in his perfect love, will extend healing to those who have been hurt by the unrighteous use of agency by