Why do bad things happen to good people?

The Purpose of Temptations and Trials in Mortality, Randy L. Bott

This class was INCREDIBLE!!! We weren't even planning on going to this one, really. We were running short on time after lunch, and it just happened to be close. But I'm so glad we did, because I felt the spirit so strongly in this class and I learned so much! Brother Bott is a Professor of Religion at BYU, where he teaches Doctrine and Covenants. In any given semester, he teaches up to 1500 students, with anywhere between 250 and 270 students in each class.

Brother Bott had lots of great stuff to say. He recounted the story of Eve in the Garden of Eden. Starting in Moses 4:7 and continuing on from there, he tells how Eve explains to Satan (the serpent) that they can eat of the fruit of any tree in the garden, except the tree in the middle. Now, it's interesting that the tree bearing the forbidden fruit was not hidden. This tree was not back in a corner somewhere, out of sight. This tree was right in the middle of the garden, easy to find. Yet, Eve was never tempted to eat of this tree before Satan spoke to her. Brother Bott tells us that "if you focus on the sin, you'll never overcome it." Once Eve started to focus on this tree which she was supposed to avoid, it became a temptation for her. Satan made it look so appealing to her that she just had to eat of the fruit. In verse 11 he tells Eve that, once she partakes of this fruit, she will be opened and she will become like a god, knowing good and evil. What Satan didn't realize was, God had always intended for this to be. He has always wanted us to have the potential to become like Him, a god. And by partaking of the fruit, this became possible.

Some scriptures that Brother Bott went through:
Mosiah 29:18-20 - replace the word "bondage" with the word "addiction"
Doctrine & Covenants 58:3-7
Doctrine & Covenants 78:17-19
Doctrine & Covenants 98:1-3
Doctrine & Covenants 101:4-5

And my own recommendation:
Doctrine & Covenants 122 - one of my all-time favorite places to read

So, to answer the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?"...
Well, everyone must go through temptations and trials in this life. When we do, we can better understand what Christ went through. Also, when we come out of our trials, we can testify that Heavenly Father does love us and blesses us when we endure. Also, Heavenly Father needs us to testify to others that He visits us during our afflictions, not just afterwards. He gives us trials because they are what we need, not what we want. He loves us so much that He cares more about our happiness than we do! When we endure our trials, we can help others who may be struggling, through our own experiences. And most importantly, when we struggle through certain trials that seem to difficult to bear, the only one we can turn to, the only one who will always be there, the only one who will never let us down, will be waiting for us to turn to Him. Heavenly Father gives us trials so that we will turn to Him.

When the Lord feels we are prepared to grow more, he gives us the blessing of trials.

Guy-Girl Relationships: Advice From the Scriptures

After trying to get into two different classes that were already full during this next hour, my sister and I decided to just take a break. We mapped out the next few classes we'd planned on attending and then made our way to the next class, getting there super early so we wouldn't have a repeat of the last hour. We decided to attend a Youth class next.

Although my sister is only 18, she and I both felt very out of place in a room full of "youth." Even though the teachers, John and Lani Hilton, were exceptional, the class was definitely a little rough. As we sat and waited for the class to start, we watched the "little ones" interact with each other, and were quite amused. We saw several  boys, too small-looking to even be there, so we assumed they had just turned 14 the weekend before Ed Week!  (You have to be at least 14 years old to attend.) Before the class got started, one of the hostesses came up to my sister and asked if she would offer the opening prayer. When the time came, she went up and offered the sweetest prayer, specifically asking that we be respectful during the class and resist the temptation to talk out loud to our neighbors or use our cell phones. Obviously, not everyone was paying attention during that prayer. I suppose that is just the way with youth. Several girls sitting right next to us were chatting and clicking their pens and popping their gum WHICH I HATE, during the entire class. And then of course, there were several boys sitting behind us, making stupid comments after everything that was said. No doubt, they were trying to attract the attention of my sister... after all, she is quite beautiful and she such a wonderful prayer! Needless to say, she was not impressed by the immaturity of these boys.

In this class, they were able to provide the technology that allowed people in the audience to ask questions via text message, which would pop up directly on the screen right in front of us. This program allowed for only 40 questions, so the Hiltons asked that only those with real, sincere questions send in a text message. Well, of course there were people who did not follow this request. Several people sent in messages commenting on the physical appearance of Sister Hilton. Some sent in messages only saying "Hi!" WHAT A WASTE!!! Anyhow, some questions were actually valid. What defines a kiss as passionate? What is the appropriate age to have a boyfriend?   What is steady dating?

Brother Hilton responds to the question of passionate kissing... "You all know what a passionate kiss is. If I gave you a time limit, say 5.7 seconds, would you keep track of the time while kissing someone and stop just before you got to the 'allotted' time? I don't think so!" He also mentioned that all of the kissing we see on television and movies could be defined as passionate. He told the youth that "anything that gets you aroused is passionate." He also talked about the appropriate age for having a boyfriend/girlfriend and referenced a great man, President Gordon B. Hinckley. He quoted, "When you reach the age where you think of marriage, then is the time to become so involved." I completely agree with this. Boys AND girls, there is no need to have a boyfriend or a girlfriend until you are ready to be married. I like to compare dating to shopping. If you are a five year old boy, why on earth would you try on a three piece suit for your mission? It's not going to fit! It's not even going to be close. So why would you even bother trying it on? Just like in dating, if you are sixteen year old girl, what need have you for a boyfriend when you're still in high school? There is plenty of time to date and have fun while getting to know different kinds of people, as well as getting to know yourself. But, until you are ready to say yes to the one who "pops the question," what is your hurry?!

The Hiltons also talked about the story of Samson and Delilah, which can be found in Judges 16. "How stupid do you think Samson had to be to keep telling Delilah where his strength was?" asked Brother Hilton. And Sister Hilton added, "How stupid do you think Delilah was for continuing to believe Samson after he continued to lie to her?" They recommended that we all be smart when dating, and not fall for someone just because of physical attraction.

Many times as youth, and even us young adults go through times when we feel like we are alone. We can become depressed because we feel like no one has gone through what we have gone through. But in the scriptures, we can know that this is not the case. In Alma 7:11-12 we are taught that Christ suffered all things for us, so that he might know how to comfort us when we are down. The Hiltons ended with a video that really spoke to my soul and brought tears to my eyes. I had never heard this song before, I became so moved by every word that was sung. I cannot find the exact video but this one will convey the same message. Before watching, you must know that one of the names by which we refer to Jesus Christ is, I AM.

Look both ways when you cross the street!

The next class I attended was taught by Vickey Pahnke Taylor. It was part of series for women called "For Goodness' Sake: Increasing Goodness and Lowering Anxiety to Fulfill Our Divine Role!" This particular day's class was titled " This Little Light of Mine - Shining Even When We Don't Feel So Shiny! Before I delve into what I learned in the class, I'm going to share a video that we watched during this hour. It will BLOW YOUR MIND!!!

Now that you've watched the video, let me share a scripture with you. It is in the New Testament, and quite familiar. Matthew 5:14-15:

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING

And now... I will attempt to paraphrase the awesome story Sister Taylor told us about attitude:

"One morning, I (Sister Taylor) woke up with a horrible attitude. So I got back into bed and rolled back out again, hoping it was the 'wrong side of the bed' thing. That didn't work. So I said a prayer to my Heavenly Father, asking him to help me get through the day. I told Him that I just had too much on my plate. I was going through too many trials at the time, and I needed a break! After my prayer, I got dressed and went down to the hospital to get my blood drawn for some routine thing. When I came home, I noticed some trash in the car. So I picked it up and proceeded to take it to the big dumpster on the curb in front of our house. (Now this next part, she explains in a way that I don't understand, so just bear with me.) As I grabbed the dumpster with one hand and put the trash inside with the other, I lost my footing and fell in! Yes, I FELL INSIDE THE DUMPSTER! Well, after feeling so horrible already, the last thing I wanted was to be seen by my neighbors, falling inside a dumpster. So the first thing I did, even before trying to get out, was peek my head outside to see if anyone had seen me. Then, as I tried maneuver my way out, I noticed that I had hurt my wrist pretty badly. So I called my daughter and told her she needed to come get me and take me to the hospital. She was so confused because she knew I had just been to the hospital the very same morning. Well, she came and got me and took me to the hospital where the doctors told me I had fractured my wrist. After taking some x-rays, they noticed something funny in my lung. So they told me that they wanted to do a few more. I was so annoyed, I just knew they were wrong. They told me to come back the next morning for an MRI. After getting that done, they discovered a malignant tumor in my lung."

Now, Heavenly Father definitely needed Sister Taylor to get back to the hospital. And had she not fallen into the dumpster, she never would have gone. And to think, that whole morning she was grumpy and tired of all of her menial trials. But after learning that she had a tumor, all of that became very trivial. Her poor attitude suddenly seemed incredibly selfish. What can we learn from this? Be more humble, teachable, and grateful. 

Here's a story she shared with us that really spoke to my heart:

Satan's Garage Sale

Once upon a time, Satan was having a garage sale. There, standing in little groups were all of his bright, shiny trinkets. Here were tools that make it easy to tear others down for use as stepping stones. And over there were some lenses for magnifying ones own importance, which, if you looked through them the other way, you could also use to belittle others, or even one's self. Against the wall was the usual assortment of gardening implements guaranteed to help your pride grow by leaps and bounds: the rake of scorn, the shovel of jealousy for digging a pit for your neighbor, the tools of gossip and backbiting, of selfishness and apathy. All of these were pleasing to the eye and came complete with fabulous promises and guarantees of prosperity. Prices, of course, were steep; but not to worry! Free credit was extended to one and all. "Take it home, use it, and you won't have to pay until later!" old Satan cried, as he hawked his wares.

The visitor, as he browsed, noticed two well-worn, non-descript tools standing in one corner. Not being nearly as tempting as other items, he found it curious that these two tools had price tags higher than any other. When he asked why, Satan just laughed and said, "Well, that's because I use them so much. If they weren't so plain looking, people might see them for what they were." Satan pointed to the two tools, saying, "You see, that one's Doubt and that one's Discouragement - and those will work when nothing else will."

Powerful, huh?! It's amazing what Satan can do with a little doubt in our lives. Sister Taylor encourages us to "dump the doubt," smile whenever possible, and try keeping a gratitude journal.

And when in doubt:

Understanding and Following the Spirit: How Miracles Will Follow

The very first class I attended at Education Week was on Wednesday, August 17th at 8:30 in the morning. It was part of a four day serious called "Getting Meaningful Answers for Your Life - to Bless You, Your Family, and Others" taught by Diane Bills Prince. Now of course, it being 8:30 in the morning, and having only gotten four hours of sleep the night before (due to traveling), we weren't really expecting to have any sort of super amazing experience... BUT WE DID!!!

I'll start by retelling a story we heard in this class...

At Temple Square, all are welcome to take a complimentary tour. A missionary serving there was giving a tour to a Mother Superior (a nun, or "the head nun on The Sound of Music" as Prince comically states). While walking through the pictures and stories of the prophets of old, she was began to feel the spirit very strongly. She also saw pictures of Adam and Eve. The missionary told her about each picture while she quietly listened. She was taken through a part of the visitor center where she learned about Joseph Smith, the first vision, and the restoration. Upon hearing this, she became troubled. She then continued upward, following the ramp toward the rotunda where she beheld a magnificent 11-foot statue of the Savior, Thorvaldsen's Christus. She felt the spirit even stronger now. The missionary then too her to see a church film, (I can't remember which one). Outside of the theater, she came to a place where she was able to see copies of The Book of Mormon in all of the many different languages they were able to provide there at Temple Square. He picked up a copy for her and proceeded to open the shrink wrap. As he did this, the book fell. When it landed, it was opened to page with a verse that was perfectly underlined! Now remember, this book was shrink wrapped and had just been opened, so they both knew that he had not previously underlined any passages in this particular copy. They picked up the book and she began to read the underlined verse, 2 Nephi 31:17:

Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.

After reading this verse, tears welled up in her eyes. She asked the missionary, "What does this mean?" He told her that Heavenly Father was aware of her and He wanted her to know this. 

Can you imagine what it must have been like for this nun to experience something like this? Can you imagine how strong the spirit must have been with those two, while reading this scripture? Sometimes, we feel the spirit very strongly, and sometimes, we don't always know if it is the Holy Ghost or not. Here is a list of eight ways we can tell if what we are feeling is the Holy Ghost:

1. Peace to your mind - Doctrine & Covenants 6:22-23
2. Warm feelings in your mind and heart - Doctrine & Covenants 8:2-3 (Satan cannot duplicate peace!)
3. Burning in your bosom - Doctrine & Covenants 9:8
4. Stupor of thought - Doctrine & Covenants 9:9
5. Enlightened mind, pure thought - Doctrine & Covenants 6:15
6. Words spoken to the mind or audibly - 1 Nephi 16:9
7. Dreams - 1 Nephi 8:2
8. Visions and Visitations - 1 Nephi 1:6-14, 1 Nephi 11, Joseph Smith- History 1:17, 25

The spirit speaks to everyone in different ways. The way I feel the spirit most strongly is through music. Here is a particular song that moves me and is sure to bring the spirit to your life. 

That All May Be Edified, D&C 88:122

I finally found something to blog about! I'm so excited to share with all of you the things I learned this past week.

Okay, so for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about... I just finished attending Brigham Young University's Education Week 2001. I have only been one other time in my life and it was over 10 years ago. This time, I was able to go with my sister Meredith, and my mom, who paid for all of us to attend (THANK YOU MOM!!!). We stayed at my Grandpa Draper's house in Provo, just five minutes from the campus. We were only able to go to three out of the five days because of a conflict I had back in St. George. BUT, in those three days (Wednesday - Friday) I learned so much and felt the spirit so strongly.

I'd like to share with you as much learning as I can. I hope I will be able to convey the spirit and atmosphere that I felt while sitting in the classrooms with all of the wonderful teachers and other learners I encountered. Of all of things I learned while attending, I hope to implement as much as possible in my own life. And I especially hope that I can offer some cool tidbits of knowledge that might help you in your lives.

For the first post of this "series" if you will, I'd like to share with you a video that helps to explain just how much our Heavenly Father loves us.

This video was presented at two different, in two completely different venues at Ed Week. Both times I watched it, I cried. I hope you also felt something while watching this. What a powerful example this little boy is to the rest of the world. 

Stay tuned for my next post about my very first class, Understanding and Following the Spirit.