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The Purpose of Life

2nd Nephi 2:25 tells us that men are that we might have joy.

Yet Jacob 7:26 reads as follows:

26 And it came to pass that I, Jacob, began to be old; and the record of this people being kept on the other plates of Nephi, wherefore, I conclude this record, declaring that I have written according to the best of my knowledge, by saying that the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream, we being a lonesome and a solemn people, wanderers, cast out from Jerusalem, born in tribulation, in a wilderness, and hated of our brethren, which caused wars and contentions; wherefore, we did mourn out our days.

How do we reconcile these seemingly incongruous passages?

The superficial, easy answer is that mortality is a time of pain and sorrow, a time of testing and proving, in anticipation of the final great reward. This is the hope of every soul who struggles or suffers in any way. And it is all very true.

But I also think that there is incredible joy and peace that can come to us in THIS life. That happiness need not be some kind of illusory or ethereal thing. Happiness IS the design and object of our existence. Many of the pitfalls we find ourselves in, many of the things that make us so full of sorrow, are the result of actions that are contrary to that which we know to be right. As a result, we find ourselves in situations in which we must struggle mightily to overcome the consequences of poor choices and actions. My thought is that even in these circumstances we can find peace and joy.

There is unspeakable peace in knowing that Christ has atoned for my sins.

There is unspeakable peace in knowing that I am a son of God. That He is mindful of me. And that He orders things for my ultimate benefit and progression.

There is unspeakable peace in knowing that I can repent. My sins and problems need not follow me around for the rest of my life. If I can learn to humble myself before Him, all things are possible.

There is unspeakable peace in the thought that families can be together forever. That the joys we experience here and now are just a taste of what can and will be if we are faithful.

There is unspeakable peace in the light that comes from friends and family who surround me with so much love. God did not send us here alone. He gave us our family and friends to support, comfort, lift burdens, and serve each other. In so doing, all of our burdens are lifted, and we find ourselves singing through life.

I know I've been musical lately, and I'm sorry if that offends anyone. And I know I've posted this one before. But I love it and I am going to post it again:

Lyrics:

My life flows on in endless song
Above earth's lamentation.
I hear the real though far-off hymn
That hails a new creation.
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that rock I'm clinging
It sounds an echo in my soul,
How can I keep from singing?

What though the tempest round me roars,
I know the truth, it liveth,
What though the darkness round me close,
Songs in the night it giveth
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that rock I'm clinging
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?

I lift my eyes, the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smooths,
Since first I learned to love it.
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing;
All things are mine since I am his,
How can I keep from singing?


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