Bring It On!

One of my favorite movies is "Fiddler on the Roof." It tells the story of a Jewish community in Russia. Due to persecution the Jews were forced to leave their homes. As bewildered Jews leave behind the only home they have known, a matronly matchmaker exclaims "Oh how we suffer!" In 1833 Missouri mobs drove all Latter-Day Saints not only from their homes, but from the state of Missouri. The persecution was so bitter that many did not even have time to put on shoes before they were forced out of their homes. Their feet left bloody footprints across frozen ground for 200 miles. All their possessions were confiscated. Horrible things happened to them. In D&C 101 the Lord explains that their afflictions were in consequence of their transgressions. OK...so the message is: if you sin you suffer. Does that mean if you are diligent in keeping God's commandments, you won't suffer? No. Consider the following:

In Genesis 47:7 Joseph introduces his father, Jacob, to Pharaoh. During that initial meeting Pharaoh asks Jacob how old he is. Jacob replies, "The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been". I have always been intrigued by Jacob's response. How could a righteous man like Jacob have "evil" days? What did he mean?

Jacob served Laban seven years for Rachel, the woman he loved. On the wedding night Leah, Laban's oldest daughter, was given to him instead of Rachel. Imagine Jacob's surprise, anger, and outrage when he discovered the deception the next morning. Laban agreed to let him marry Rachel too, but he had to serve an additional seven years. There was great competition and strife between Leah and Rachel. Leah was afflicted because she was not the favored wife. Rachel was afflicted because she was barren. Finally, after many years when Jacob was old, Rachel bore a son, Joseph. She also bore a second son, Benjamin, who she died giving birth to. Jacob favored Joseph which created harsh feelings among his older sons. At 17 Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers who then told Jacob he was killed, or at least implied it. Jacob was so distraught he rent his clothes and refused to be comforted. He mourned Joseph's loss for years. These are just a few of the trials Jacob suffered. His days were "evil" because that's how he described the sorrows of his life.

So we suffer when we sin. We suffer when we diligently keep the commandments. It seems we are in a lose-lose situation here. Why is it that those who are trying so hard to keep God's commandments suffer the most? They seem to have more than their fair share of suffering. And why is it that there are a lot of...well... not so good people who appear to "have it all" and are enjoying the good life? I don't get it!!!! Did some of us accidentally stand in the "BRING IT ON" line in heaven? You know, the line you stand in just before you're born that determines what kind of life you'll have? I meant to stand in the "beautiful, rich, and famous" line, like the supermodels did, but somehow I got distracted and must have wandered over to the "bring it on" line instead.

Suffering changes us, some for better some for worse. This is how it has changed me. First, it has stripped away all the frivolous things in my life. I am no longer distracted by what is not important and I've learned not to sweat the small stuff. I've become more tolerant of others. Second, I have drawn closer to God and have developed a great love for Him and His son, Jesus Christ. I have also developed a great appreciation for the atonement. I thank God every day for the gift of His son. Because of the atonement of Christ we have hope. Ether 4:12 states, "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God." There will be no suffering in the next world. D&C 101:29 states, "And there shall be no sorrow because there is no death." Why does God allow us to suffer? Because through suffering He refines us, sanctifies us. Then, and only then, can we return to His presence.