When a premature newborn suffocates due to underdeveloped lungs, what purpose is there to his/her suffering?

Answer 1

I don't know, but I have faith in God that if we do our best, everything will work out for our benefit.

For me it helps to have a reasonably good understanding of the purpose of life. See http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,792-1,00.html.

Answer 2

Any number of reasons...

1. To remind us how precious life is.
2. To gain greater compassion for others.
3. To bring families together.
4. To bring repentance.
5. For the growth of the parents.
6. For the growth of extended family and friends.
7.To further medical studies.
8. To give trials to people like you and me who don't understand the suffering of this world.
9. To understand God's love.
10. To remind us that this life is only an instant in time.
11. To gain love for others who have gone through the same thing.
12. To hope for a better world
13. To hope for peace in the world to come.


I could go on and on... If I could think of all of these things in a few minutes, what could God see that we don't?

Wisdom and peace won't come by questioning and blaming God for suffering, it's to gain understanding and compassion for others.

Hope that helps Have a good day! :)

Answer 3

Your question is a difficult one to understand, indeed. I do not profess to know all of the answers about life, but this is what I do think.

I believe that we all come here to this earth to gain a physical body, and to prove our faithfulness by learning and then keeping the commandments of God. We live by faith, and gain experience, and serve God. In the end, we are judged and receive of Christ's greatest gift, salvation.

New born babies who die, as you describe, obviously do not have that same experience that I just described above. They do not grow up, live by faith, learned and keep God's commandments. They did not have the chance or opportunity to do so.

However, these babies did do one important part of this plan. That is, they were born and gained a body. That is part of God's plan for us. However, I feel in some way, that gaining the physical body was all that God required of these precious infants who die prematurely. Perhaps God does not require them to live by faith, keep his commandments because in some way they were already so valiant, so faithful in the pre-mortal existence with God that such things were not really required of them. These infants then return back to God quickly and have immediately received of their salvation.

That is what I think.

Answer 4

Suffering seems to be the human condition. Why does anyone have to suffer? The suffering for the parents of this baby must be overwhelming, may they find comfort.

Answer 5

Only God knows... Sometimes God takes our pains and sufferings and uses them for good (drawing us closer to Him, using the difficulty so that we can help others who go through similiar hurts, etc...) and sometimes such suffering is just a crappy consequence of living in a fallen world- tainted by sin & death.

Answer 6

This is tragic, but we can't escape the reality of nature. We believe that we are more especial than the rest of the living things but the truth is that the same rules apply to all. The nature can be cruel.

Answer 7

actualy theres no pain or suffering in suffocation . the perpose of there death can vary tremindesly above all its probably a punishment for the parents for the child only suffers this life for a short while

Answer 8

There's no purpose to suffering. Christians, who make the laws, like suffering. They think it gets them into heaven faster. And if you think I'm making it up, I had a nun tell me that when my grandfather was dying. "At least he has his suffering," this black-draped gore-crow simpered. I walked out of the room lest I get in trouble for spitting in a nun's face, but it was a close thing.

Answer 9

That's why pharmaceutical companies develop drugs (surfactants) to treat infant respiratory distress syndrome.

Answer 10

There is no purpose to most suffering.