Mourning

Survivors disguised themselves in mourning costumes to deceive ghosts and show respect for the dead. 87:1.5

Jesus found flute players at Jairus's house playing for the mourners, who did not believe his words about the damsel not being dead. 152:1.1

Long and frequent periods of mourning inactivity were a great obstacle to civilization’s advancement, wasted on rituals rooted in fear, not sorrow. 87:2.4-5

Jesus resented forced outward exhibitions of mourning, as he was perturbed by the contention between true love and false show of affection. 168:0.12 168:1.4

Those who mourn with tenderness shall find comfort and true happiness. 140:3.8 140:5.16

Professional mourners were hired for funeral occasions in ancient times, indicating that mourning was a ritual rooted in fear rather than genuine sorrow. 87:2.5

Prolonged mourning for ancient widows was a feared and tragic fate, often leading to blame, death, or suicide due to unbearable social restrictions and disapproval of remarriage. 82:3.12

Self-torture was a common form of mourning, believed to please ghosts lurking before departure to deadland. 87:2.4

Bible parallels

Passages that the paragraphs cited above parallel, quote or reinterpret, from Duane Faw’s Paramony cross-references. Hover a reference to read it.

• Healing Jairus' daughter 152:1.1 — Mt 9:23-25; Mk 5:35-43; Lk 8:49-55.
• Happy are they who mourn 140:3.8 — Mt 5:4. *Happy are those who weep*: Lk 6:21b.
• Mourners comforted 140:5.16 — Mt 5:4; Lk 6:21b.
• Not unmanly to weep 140:5.16 — Mk 14:72; Lk 7:32; Lk 19:41; Lk 22:62; Jn 11:35; Acts 20:37; Rev 5:4.
• Moses, a meek man 140:5.16 — Nm 12:3.