LDS Freedom Forum

Anyone willing to participate in a thought exercise? Here it is:

WHY ARE WE?

Anybody pondered this question before? Anyone got an answer for this question? Actually those three words can and does open all kinds of questions.

What would some of these questions be, keeping them associated to the question presented and to us and the gospel of Jesus Christ, even the creation?

Sure! The short answer: 2nd Ne. 2:25.

Lehi wrote:Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

Although the verse is cited to explain that the Fall brought about mortality, but I think, the latter part is not emphasized enough, illustrating that WE ARE to have joy.

Why does God do what He does? What's driving Him? Why is it that His " work and ... glory [is] to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39)?

I believe it is Joy. Take a look at what gave Christ joy in 3 Ne. 17:20.

Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full.

RyanK wrote:Sure! The short answer: 2nd Ne. 2:25.

Lehi wrote:Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

Although the verse is cited to explain that the Fall brought about mortality, but I think, the latter part is not emphasized enough, illustrating that WE ARE to have joy.

Why does God do what He does? What's driving Him? Why is it that His " work and ... glory [is] to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39)?

I believe it is Joy. Take a look at what gave Christ joy in 3 Ne. 17:20.

Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full.

:ymapplause:

How would it feel to have a billion prayers coming at one all at the same time? I wonder, even from God's standpoint if child sitting is not a little tough at times.

An intersting question now would be, WHAT IS JOY ? and what causes joy ?

I like the scripture in Luke 15:7

"I say unto you, tha likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninty nine just persons, which need no repentance"

A single person that comes unto Christ causes the heavens to feel joy, isn't that an amazin thought? Doesn't that also mean that each individual that comes to earth, and that automaticly lives in sin but comes unto Christ is God's greatest joy... Is God the happiest person because of that joy? Does becoming a God ourselves mean that our greatest joy will be to see others turn unto truth and light and partake of perfect glory? Will it therefore be our greatest joy to create life that returns home ? So, why are we..?

Great question..

" Why are we", a forgiving people?

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will
your Father forgive you” (Matthew 6:13-14)

“My disciples, in days of old, sought occasion against one another and
forgave not one another in their hearts; and for this evil they were
afflicted and sorely chastened. Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye
ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his
trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in
him the great sin. I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but
of you it is required to forgive all men” (D&C 64:8-10)

Bee Prepared wrote:" Why are we", a forgiving people?

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will
your Father forgive you” (Matthew 6:13-14)

“My disciples, in days of old, sought occasion against one another and
forgave not one another in their hearts; and for this evil they were
afflicted and sorely chastened. Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye
ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his
trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in
him the great sin. I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but
of you it is required to forgive all men” (D&C 64:8-10)

Good point.

We already know this, however, I think it is worth repeating.
Why are we?
God says this:

Moses 1:39
39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

This is why we are.

Any other ideas?

Joseph Smith said "Happiness is the object and design of our existance."

That's the why. But to really understand it you have to dig deeper into what happiness/joy is and how it is brought about.

Elder Oaks said joy "...comes from being complete and in harmony with our Creator and his eternal laws."
I recommend his whole talk "Joy and Mercy" http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1 ... y?lang=eng" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I interpret being "complete" and "in harmony" as being like our Father in Heaven. The more we are like Him the happier or joyful we become.

Part of becoming like him is doing what he does. I would recommend another great talk by Pres. Uchtdorf titled "Happiness, Your Heritage"
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2 ... e?lang=eng" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
In it he talks about creating and compassion in our life and in God's. Awesome talk.