Experience

I have been thinking about the purpose of life recently. There are good days and bad, sorrow and joy. There are times when everything is going your way, and others when the world is out to get you.

And sometimes I feel like when I am trying my best to do what's right, I should only have brief moments with the sorrows and pains that this life brings.

But that's not part of the plan.

The plan is to live here on this earth to gain experience. Hmm. Experience. The most powerful experiences are those that bring the greatest emotion-- great joys and great sorrows. These are the experiences that remain the most clear in our memories. They teach us the most about ourselves. They help mold us into the people we are to become.

But experience is not a gentle mentor. And pain is a good teacher.

I have considered the sacrifices of the great prophets-- Abraham, Moses, Joseph Smith, to name a few-- and thought that I will have to successfully traverse my own wilderness to qualify to be with them in the eternities.

I have decided the real challenge is to keep my Savior as my focus-- through the good times and bad. Then I will be able to know for myself the truth of the Lord's words, "...all these things shall give thee experience, and be for thy good."