Recently we sat in on a lesson with the missionaries. Our friend surprised us by asking a question in a mix of Arabic and English that I interpreted as – “How is it fair that some people are born blind?” OR, the more common question – “Why do bad things happen to good people?” The Elders were eager to answer our friend’s question by teaching him the Plan of Salvation.
In my own heart I answer this question with an explanation, Even Jesus Christ, the Son of God, experienced unfairness, injustice, and pain so how can we expect anything less? While this explanation is good, it doesn’t answer the question why.
Boyd K. Packer explains —
We arrive on earth in the middle of a three-act-play. The first act was our pre-mortal life where we lived and were taught by our Heavenly Parents. We enter the play at birth in the middle of the second act. Since we can’t remember our pre-mortal life and we have no knowledge of the world (play), many things in the second act make no sense. It is like entering the theatre at Intermission and we missed half of the story! No wonder we have questions!
Elder Packer encourages —
“Remember this! The line ‘And they all lived happily ever after’ is never written into the second act. That line belongs in the third act, when the mysteries are solved and everything is put right. …”
The purpose of this life is NOT to provide the happily ever after we are longing for. Our happily ever after will be found in the eternities. What we do in this life, what we love, how we choose to live – all of our goodness/badness – will be restored to us in the next life. Since nature isn’t perfect, humans make mistakes and some people willfully choose selfishness and greed, there will be unfairness. We need to decide how we will face it.
Elder Renlund observed —
“When faced with unfairness, we can push ourselves away from God or we can draw toward Him for help and support.
Do not let unfairness harden you or corrode your faith in God. Instead, ask God for help. Increase your appreciation for and reliance on the Savior. Rather than becoming bitter, let Him help you become better. Allow Him to help you persevere, to let your afflictions be “swallowed up in the joy of Christ.”
Ultimately, our happily ever after is attained in this life through our choices. In diligently seeking inspiration and following the Savior Jesus Christ we choose God and goodness. Jesus Christ is the only One who can ensure fairness and mercy for all. His life wasn’t easy, and our lives may not be easy either, but with faith in Jesus Christ our ever after can be glorious!
Notes:
Dale G. Renlund:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/25renlund?lang=eng
Boyd K. Packer
krhofhiens.com 
Love, love, love this! I so look forward to your messages. Looks like things are going great for you two. Since we got a new bishopric our sacrament meetings are so good. For instance. 4 people were asked to talk about one of the new hymns and then we would sing it. It put a whole new meaning to the song. We have new RS presidency, new prinary presidency so alot of changes. Dave is now teaching elders quorum and loves it. So many new people moving in and a couple of baptisms too. We’re looking forward to the ground breaking for cda temple on the 29th of August. And because of our new mission we’ll be feeding 4 missionaries for awhile until they get things figured out. So many changes since you left and don’t be surprised at the traffic and all the building going on. Miss and love you both. Dave and Shirley
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Hey Shirley, It sounds like we are missing a lot! New primary, new Bishop, new RS! Wow, when we get back it will be a whole new ward again! You worry me about the traffic. There were 1100 new apartments when we got back last time. I hope they are building places for people to work and not just apartments. I’m sure it will still feel like home. I’m definitely missing the cooler summer evenings!
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Thank goodness for the cooler nights the temps are still getting in the 90s in the daytime but we can always count on it getting cooler at night. It has been miserable here I don’t know if you’ve heard about all the fires in spokane they’ve been pretty major as over 800 structures with 650 of those being homes burned to the ground. The smoke is awful and hard to breathe. So many people displaced. So so sad but thankful the church steps in to help. some stake centers providing meals and assistance. The church is sending 3 semitrucks full of water and food. So thankful to see the gospel in action. The cda mission is up and running. We are feeding the missionaries for their meeting this Tuesday. They have 80 missionaries now with 20 more in September. When we sign up to feed the .missionaries in our homes we are told to plan on feeding 4 instead of 2. It’s exciting to see the growth in our area. We’re excited that on August 29th. The ground breaking for the cda temple. It’s fun going by and seeing all the work that is being done on the site. We are very blessed. Amid all the growth around here it’s just like you said it is still home. Hope things are going well for you and look forward to your email. Have another great month. Love you, Dave and Shirley
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