On the most superficial level, the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ because all those who die will be resurrected. However, this doctrine has many more layers. First, the sting of the death of a loved one can be swallowed up by the compassion and mercy of Him who knows how to succor his people according to their infirmities (Alma 7:12). How many saints have been comforted by the Lord at times of tragic loss. The Savior applies the balm of Gilead to soothe their sting and heal their wounds. The sting is also lessened by the knowledge of God’s plan of salvation. Elder James A. Cullimore said, “I was greatly impressed by the peace and understanding with which Sister Longden accepted the passing of John. Only she will know, of course, of the real sorrow, the pangs of loneliness, that he will not return in this life. But the understanding of the gospel and the plan of salvation can greatly ease the sting of death…Knowing the beauty of God’s plan for the salvation of his children sometimes makes even death beautiful. We understand that death is a very necessary part of the great plan of salvation.” (Conference Reports, Oct. 1969, p. 71)
Second, the sting of death is also lessened by the great sealing ordinances of the temple. The promise of eternal association is only possible because Christ had first engineered the resurrection. This was known to Paul who underscored the importance of the resurrection to the temple ordinances when he asked, Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? (1 Cor 15:29) George Q. Cannon has said, “We know that when a wife is sealed to us by the authority of the holy Priesthood, that that ordinance is binding as eternity if we are faithful. We know that when we have children born to us in the everlasting covenant and death takes them away, we are comforted with the assurance that though they be consigned to the silent tomb, we shall yet have them in eternity. Thus the sting of death is taken away, and the grave has no victory. Death does not fill us with gloom and apprehension and doubt and uncertainty. We know as well as we can know anything of that character that when time ends we shall be united with our children and dwell with them eternally. We know also that when a man buries his wife, the faithful partner of his life, if she were married to him by the holy Priesthood, he knows when he lays her away in the grave that that is not an eternal separation, but that they will again be united.” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 24, p. 223)
Third, death is not a frightening or painful experience for the righteous. In this respect also, the Lord has tempered the sting of death, And it shall come to pass that those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them (DC 42:46).
Fourth, Paul explains that the sting of death is sin. The powers of sin are also overcome by the Savior. The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 15:56-7) President Kimball has written, “Can any miracle compare with that one which is provided by Jesus? ’... to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free ...’ (Isa. 58:6.) He healed the sick, cast out devils, calmed the storm and even raised the dead. But can any miracle be equal to that one which frees men from the fetters of ignorance, superstition, and transgression? The Prophet Joseph Smith said: ’It is better to save a man than raise one from the dead.’ Paul said: ’O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin .’ (1 Cor. 15:55-56.) And this prompts the statement, ’There is no tragedy except in sin.’” (Miracle of Forgiveness, pp. viii-ix)