What is the Purpose of Life? In Other Words, Why So Much Adversity?

Why am I here?

Why do bad things happen to good people?

How can I be happy?

How can I find peace in this life?

How do I overcome trials that I face?

I assume each of us have asked such questions before. I assume we have tried, with varying degrees of success, to answer these questions and to discover (for ourselves) what the purpose of life is. If you have, I am no different from you.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often called the Mormon Church or the LDS Church, teaches that we are God's children. The Church teaches that as God's children, we are placed here on Earth to learn and grow. Essentially, our life on Earth is a test; to see if we will obey His commandments--namely to love God and love our fellow men. Of course, we all fall short of perfection in keeping the commandments and therefore need the atoning power of Jesus Christ to save us. If we keep His commandments to the best of our ability and have faith that Jesus will save us from our imperfections, we will return and live with God again throughout all eternity. For those who have not received all of God's commandments, or who do not know Jesus Christ, they will learn of Him after this life and will be judged according to what limited knowledge they acquired. God is both just and merciful. He will not condemn those who did not have the privilege of learning of Him while living on Earth.

So, if this life is a test, it is only natural to assume that we will have difficulties thrown our way. All of us, rich or poor, black or white, educated or non-educated, will have trials and afflictions in our lives. Some of these will be for others to see, such as death, disease, poverty, bad choices, etc., and some of them will be in the inner confines of our own hearts, such as depression, loneliness, heartache, guilt, and the painful consequences of sin. As God told us His children, He causes the rain to fall on the unjust, as well as the just. While it is often difficult to see good people going through such horrible difficulties, we must understand that God, in His infinite wisdom and love, allows His children to suffer and overcome so that they might gain experience and grow stronger. God must weep with His children as He watches some go through small trials and difficulties, and others suffering unimaginable pain, loss, and torture.

Another vital aspect of our purpose here on Earth is to choose for ourselves. This principle of agency is essential in our test-taking. Sometimes, we choose wisely, and can greatly assist others. Sometimes, we choose poorly, and can hurt others. God knows this. He knows some of His children will choose poorly and cause tremendous grief and pain. But, He will not take that agency of choice away. We must find comfort that this life is but a short time, and if we endure it well, we can live with God again for all eternity is complete joy, peace, and happiness. Agency is a vital part of God's plan for His children. We must choose wisely.

As we choose wisely and seek to do good to ourselves, our families, friends, and communities, we will find true happiness and joy, not merely fleeting pleasure. True and lasting happiness can only be found in adherence to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel includes serving God and our fellow men. I know that in overcoming adversity and in striving to keep God's commandments, I have found joy, peace, and happiness. In the times when I have chosen poorly and not kept God's commandments, I have found stress, guilt, remorse, anger, and frustration.

Life is difficult. It was meant to be. Through enduring the difficult times, we can better savor the good times. Most importantly, by facing adversity and overcoming, we gain experience and learn to be kinder, more loving, more compassionate, and more like our Savior Jesus Christ. We can become truly happy and peaceful.

For an excellent (short) discourse on adversity, see the following YouTube clip of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin entitled "Come What May and Love It". Fantastic.