Preface

It is natural to contemplate the intent or meaning of life, and whether or not there is divine purpose. Is our existence and the world around us just by happenstance without eternal consequences, or is there a higher power involved in our ultimate destiny? Typically, we divide ourselves into two camps - those who believe in a higher power and those who do not.

It is remarkable how level the playing field or circumstances are in which we consider whether there is a divine power or not. It is also amazing the part that faith or lack of faith plays in our perception about our existence and purpose. It seems the evidence we seek is based on or influenced significantly by the assumptions we make. Those who view life without a belief in a higher power will seem justified and feel they see results to confirm their assumptions. Likewise, those who believe in a God who has a purpose or plan for us, can see evidence of his hand in their lives.

The adversity and suffering encountered in this life are pivotal to our consideration about whether there is a higher power, and especially one concerned with our happiness and well-being. It becomes a great conundrum or challenge to believe in an almighty God who is kind and benevolent, and who really cares about us when we suffer so much pain, heartache, and tragedy. It’s hard to feel loved and looked after while enduring painful agony and seeing so much suffering in mortality. If there actually is an all-powerful, benevolent God, wouldn’t He show His love by eliminating the pain, sorrows, and afflictions which make this life miserable?

But what if the agony and heartaches we experience on earth were actually an important part of some divine plan to maximize our ultimate development, destiny, and joy? As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I belong to a faith tradition which believes and espouses we have an all-wise and caring Heavenly Father whose express purpose is that the events of mortality will ultimately promote our refinement and happiness, as affirmed in 2 Nephi 2:25: “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy”.

What follows is a perspective for how mortal adversity and suffering are essential to divine purpose and our ultimate development/possibilities. We need not be confused about God’s object and plan for us while in mortality; or the question as to whether God wants us to simply enjoy wonderful lives or more importantly become wonderful people?

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