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 