Healing for some

One of the most poignant moments in the new church film "Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration" has to be when Joseph is asked to heal a child stricken with malaria in the swamps that will become Nauvoo. The blessing is given and the child is healed. While Joseph, holding the child, smiles at the parents, the camera shot includes Emma standing behind Joseph. I don't know the name of the actress playing Emma Smith, but she has a very expressive face. In that particular moment, you felt as if Emma, although happy for the child and parents, is wondering why Joseph is not able to save her children. By this time, she had lost four children and would lose two within two more years. Later in the film, following the death of one of their sons, she asks why the Lord will not heal their children. Was He not asking too much of His servant? As I recall, Joseph answers, "I try not to ask that question."

I don't know the answer to why some are healed and some are not--beyond the obvious, that God has a plan for all and death is not the end. Why are some spared, and some--well-beloved and needed--are not? Why do some have an excess of grief and trial in their lives?

I have faith in the plan of our Father. I do know that death is not the end, and that all grief will be made joy eventually. Still, it must be part of the natural man to question and wonder. I am glad that they showed these emotions. It sometimes helps to know that others have wondered the same things, and still held on to their faith.