THE purpose of mortal life is to provide the experiences needed to progress toward perfection and ultimately realise our divine destiny as heirs of eternal life.

We progress by making choices, by which we are tested to show that we will keep God’s commandments.

When we make wrong choices we must be cleansed to proceed toward our eternal destiny. The Father’s plan provides the way to do this: a Saviour redeems us from our sins - Jesus Christ whose atoning sacrifice pays the price for our sins if we will repent of them.

From the beginning, agency and opposition were central to the Father’s plan.

Satan proposed to carry out the Father’s plan in a way that would prevent the accomplishment of the Father’s purpose and give Satan His glory.

Satan’s proposal would have ensured perfect equality: it would “redeem all mankind,” that not one soul would be lost. There would be no agency or choice by anyone.

Satan and his followers tempt and seek to deceive and captivate the children of God.

The temptation to sin is not the only kind of opposition, opposition in the form of difficult circumstances is also part of the plan.

Some are other mortal challenges. Some are very great, some minor, some continuous, and some mere episodes.

We are all acquainted with these kinds of challenges including illness, disability, and death.

Our mortal life was never meant to be easy. Our Heavenly Father knows that we learn and grow through hard challenges, heart-breaking sorrows, and difficult choices. Trials like these present us with the real test of our ability to endure.

God rarely intervenes against some for the relief of others. But He eases burdens and strengthens us to bear them.

Bishop Aydin Arabacioglu

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

www.lds.org.uk