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Why bad things happen to good people

In the history of the Book of Mormon, and really the world, it is difficult to find a group more dedicated to the Lord than those Alma led out of the land of Lehi-Nephi. They were truly humble, submissive, meek, and holy. They formed the first organized church in the land. Their only desire was to be happy and left alone to worship God. Who knows what may have become of them if they had been...

But the Lamanites and the wicked priests of King Noah find them in the valley of Helam.

The verse states that "the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people, yea, he trieth their patience and faith" (Mosiah 23:21).

Why is this?

Why is it when we desire to rejoice we are tried by the Lord?

Doesn't He know our faith? Surely He knows our patience? Doesn't He know of our dedication and love?

Yes, He knows.

So why?

The answer lies, in part, in the next verse: "Whosoever putteth his trust in him shall be lifted up at the last day" (Mosiah 23:22).

What kind of a person do you want to be? Do you want to remain the same kind of person you always were? Do you want to become stagnated and non-progressing - literally and figuratively damned? The Lord tries us often to get us off of top dead center, moving us to great things only He knows we are capable of. We discover these things for ourselves as we move through our trials. And we become pure, malleable, and worthy.

All things are done for the benefit of us. In our limited perspective, it is often difficult to see beyond the current situation and contemplate the import and duration of eternity - indeed, we cannot fully grasp this at all. We must put our trust in the Lord for in Him we hope for better things to come.

When we pray for strength, the Lord gives us heavy burdens to carry. Then we find our strength. We must trust Him that He will not give us something we are not able to bear.

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