One of the most important doctrines that distinguishes Mormons from most other Christian religions is the idea that life is designed to be a test. In the Pearl of Great Price, Abraham is taught about the decision to create the world. "We will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell; and we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them." (Abraham 3:24-25) This presupposes that we existed as spirits before birth and will continue to exist after we die. In that context, life is not inteded to be fair.
For example, in a math class, the exams are not intended to be fair. Rather, they are intended to be challenging. If our entire existence consisted of our time taking the test, then the unfair challenge of the test would be a great travesty. So much of our existence would be bound up in the difficulty of the test that the opportunity cost would be immense. However, life existed before and continues after the test. And the benefits of meeting the challenge greatly outweigh the cost to our time and energies. We become better at solving problems and more capable people, with more opportunity for employment and future growth.
From the perspective of the above scripture, our mortal existence is very similar. If this mortal existence is all there is, then life is patently unfair, and the universe itself could be viewed as a great tragedy. (I think many of the books my English teachers wanted me to read were written by authors who bought into this idea.) It's not fair that I have to deal with a gay orientation. It can be very challenging. However, if we view life as a test within a much longer existence, it can become something great. The challenges of this life are intended to teach us, to encourage growth, to humble us, and to help us learn greater love for those around us. If we take up the challenge, and obey the will of the Lord, similar to learning mathematics, we will be so much more capable, and have more opportunity after the test has concluded.
Personly I have come to the conclution that there is two kinds of challanges, the ones that I can manage and those who REALLY challange me and make me dig very deep inside myself to be able to handle them. If handled the best way they make my faith grow, make me more humble, more compassionate and more genuinly happy.
ReplyDeleteFor sure this life is not easy, it's not suppost to be, but the outcome of it might be wonderful, if we so choose.