How do you know there is a God?If there is a God, then why must we suffer so?
How do you know that what the scriptures hold are actually from God?
Is there really a life after death?
Okay, so there are many questions out there that we all search the answers for...but sometimes because of what we go through in this life, a lot of them are void because you can't believe that God would put you through such hardship and pain. Well, let me tell you something, I do know that your Heavenly Father is real and He is there and loves each and every one of us with a love that none of us can even comprehend.
A lot of these answers must come by faith, but there are scriptures and personal revelation and even facts out there that tell us the truth of these things. Although, there are still things that I am trying to grasp and figure out myself..but one day, I know that those things will be open to me for me to understand. "Seek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich." (Doctrine & Covenants 11:7).
How is it that you should know if these things {scriptures} are true?
"Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
"And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Moroni 10:3-5).So how do we know if God loves us? "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." (1 John 4:7). Okay, so why must he give us so much hardship in our lives? Well, it's because He wants us to grow through our trials, and come closer to Him. That is why we are here on earth, to prove our love to Him and to gain bodies and experiences, and to learn and grow through Him. Heavenly Father does not and never will give us a trial that is too hard for us to take on.
The trials that we are given are to test us and to push us to a greater you. If we get through our life "tests" well, with the Spirit by our side and the faith of Heavenly Father in our hearts, we will be blessed. But you must remember that not all things will be given unto you without that trial of faith. "And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith" (Ether 12:6). So if things aren't going so well, continue to try your best and have faith in the Lord and then you may receive a witness of truth, and that is when the blessings may pour down upon you in your life. Everyone is faced with hardships in their lives, sometimes even multiple trials at once, or many of them one after another...this is Heavenly Father giving you an opportunity to learn and grow and be strong in faith and in Spirit. But if you push Him away and let sour thoughts come to your mind, then those blessings will be held back until you prove your worthiness of it; which is to rely on the Lord in all things.
As for a life after death; or in other words, Eternal Life (Plan of Salvation, Plan of Happiness, etc..), in Alma 12:24, "And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death which has been spoken of by Amulek, which is the temporal death; nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead." This scripture can also answer the question, 'what is the purpose of this life?' I do know and believe that there is a life after this. This life is not all, there is more to come! There is hope in this life and there is a chance for each and every one of us to receive the greatest blessing of all, which is exaltation. We have the chance to be with our family forever. Listen to the words that Nephi says:
"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."
~2 Nephi 31:20~
