As I consider the political situation in the United States and the root cause of our political disagreements, I conclude many people lack a rational for the purpose of life. Some people are persuaded that centralized government is the only tool powerful enough to ease suffering and address poverty. This is a manifestation of despair. On the other hand are people who believe that personal freedom is fundamental and paramount, even if some suffering exists. Suffering serves the purpose of delineating options. It is a precursor of hope.
This essential battle has existed throughout human history, and these issues were fought over before the creation of this world. God, our spirit Father, set this world up with the intent that through their free choices and the redeemer He would provide, his children would learn and grow to become like Himself. Mistakes could be forgiven on conditions of faith in his Son, Jesus Christ, and obedience to the commandments He would give in His church. Christ volunteered to be born and suffer for our sins to enable our redemption. He earned the right to become our Savior through His perfect obedience to our Heavenly Father, culminating with His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from death. This life is a test, designed to assess our faith in Jesus Christ through a lifetime of really hard trials. As we endure with faith and obedience to the ordinances of the gospel, we receive the grace of God in our lives through the power of the Holy Ghost, and we become new creatures. This plan has the potential to eliminate all suffering and ennoble and enrich all of God's children in this world, freely. However, each of us is free to choose. As the Apostle Paul stated, God has prepared kingdoms of various glories as destinations for His children, based upon their choices. God will force no man (or woman) to heaven.
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