What is the Purpose of Life?
Sometimes we ask soul-searching questions. For me, this happens most often when I am going through a difficult experience. Right now, I am fighting a neuromuscular disease, which is often painful and exhausting. Sometimes I can’t help but ask:
What is the purpose of life?
On a personal level, this question requires individual effort and seeking, but the answer for all humankind is encompassed in a simple scripture:
“Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.”
Simply put:
The purpose of life is to experience joy.
This post will be geared toward people who are new to Christianity, especially to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In my prior post Who is Jesus Christ? we looked at a parable demonstrating the need for a Savior. Sins and mistakes create a spiritual deficit that requires payment. Jesus Christ, who lived a perfect life, had no deficit. He was perfectly obedient and loving. This enabled him to pay our debt and set the terms for our redemption from sin.
This time, let’s step back from the parable and look at the bigger picture. What was the plan that God created to ensure that we could make mistakes, learn, and ultimately experience joy?
A Three-Act Play
Imagine walking into a theater midway through a show. If it’s not a show you’ve seen before, you might be confused. Who are the characters that are speaking? What is their role in the story? What is the conflict they are trying to resolve?
In many ways, our life on earth is like this scenario. We were born in the middle of a story whose beginning and end both stretch into eternity. However, we are given a role to play in the middle of this enormous story. We are not just passive viewers, but active participants. Our action, or inaction, has consequences.
Many people have philosophized about the purpose of life. Many agree that happiness is a desirable destination. But answers to the question, “How do I find happiness?” are numerous and varied.
This is why it’s helpful to know not just the middle of the story, but the beginning (where we came from; who we were & are) and the ending (where we go after this life; who we intend to become). This can help us shape our role and achieve the happiness we desire.
Prophets throughout the ages have told us about all three parts (beginning, middle, and end) of what we might call the “three-act play” that is life.
Act I: Pre-Mortal Life
Before we were born, we lived with God, our Heavenly Father. Although scripture only reveals a little about this part of our existence, we learn several important things:
1. God is the Father of our spirits
“Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?”
We are children of God, with a divine nature and potential. In order to reach that potential, we need opportunities to learn and grow.
Much like the reason that we leave the homes of our mortal parents when we grow up, we needed to leave God’s presence for a time to make our own choices. These choices come with eternal consequences.
God loves us and wants us to succeed because he is not only an all-powerful being, but he is our Father.
2. Freedom to choose (agency) is crucial to God's plan
“Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.”
You and I chose to follow God’s plan to come to earth and gain a body—to go through this period of learning. However, not everyone chose God’s plan.
Among God’s children was a spirit who stood in opposition to God’s plan. He is sometimes called Lucifer, Satan, or the Devil. He wanted God’s power for his own. He not only caused war in heaven, but he continues to oppose us and God’s plan here on earth.
However, the opposition that Satan creates can provide an opportunity for us to grow.
Just as resistance helps us build our physical muscles—opposition helps us grow spiritually. If everything was easy we wouldn’t really learn, nor would we find a sense of accomplishment in anything we did.
God’s plan is not so much about doing the right things as it is about becoming better.
It is, in fact, about becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. This is a major key to achieving lasting happiness, or joy. We can choose to give in to Satan’s temptations or we can choose to follow Jesus’s example.
3. Jesus Christ volunteered to be our Savior
“And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me.”
God’s plan had two major obstacles that we could not overcome on our own: sin and death. Because we could not learn without making mistakes and because we would be born on earth in mortal bodies, we needed a Savior who could overcome these two obstacles for us.
Among God’s children was one who was perfectly obedient: Jesus Christ. He honored his Heavenly Father. He wanted the plan to succeed.
Jesus volunteered to go to earth with us, to take upon himself the consequences for our mistakes, and to die and live again—thus opening the way for us to overcome both sin and death and return to God’s presence.
4. The Earth was created as a place for us to learn and grow
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth:
Under the direction of God, Jesus created the earth as a place for us to come and live, apart from God’s presence. The Bible describes distinctive elements of the creation:
The creation of light
Water, in the form of oceans and clouds
Plants of all kinds
Sun, moon, and stars to give light and distinguish time & seasons
Land animals and humans—male and female
Mankind was created in the image of God. Our Heavenly Father has an immortal, perfected body. We, too, needed to gain a body in order to learn and grow. This was another essential purpose for coming to earth. However, our bodies are mortal and imperfect at this stage of God’s plan.
God created a beautiful world for us to live in, as an expression of his love. Think of the oceans, the forests, the mountains, the sunrises & sunsets you have seen. Beautiful flowers, plants for food, and animals of all kinds. All of these things were meant to remind us of his love. They were meant to contribute to our joy while we live on earth
Act II: Mortal Life
The Fall
God placed the first man and the first woman, Adam and Eve, in a garden called Eden. They lived in a state of innocence, not knowing good from evil. God gave them the trees, animals, and all the garden to look after.
But there was one tree whose fruit they were forbidden to eat: The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. If they obeyed, they would continue to live in the garden indefinitely. If they disobeyed and ate the fruit, they would transgress God’s commandment and would no longer be in a state of innocence. They would also become mortal and subject to death. But they would have the ability to discern good from evil.
Satan tempted Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. Eve ate the fruit first and offered it to Adam, who ate it, too. Upon eating the fruit they gained knowledge, but they could no longer remain in the garden or in God's presence.
Adam and Eve’s transgression of God's commandment is known as “The Fall”. On the one hand, their choice brought hardship into their lives. But in the other hand, they were now able to bear children and start a family. And the opposition they faced allowed them to experience true happiness because they had also experienced its opposite: sadness, heartache, and disappointment. They could now discern between good and evil, right and wrong, pleasure and pain, joy and misery.
Of their choice, it is said:
“And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.
“And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.”
Moses 5:10-11, emphasis added
Among the things that brought them joy were: understanding, vision, raising a family, discernment between good & evil, redemption through Jesus Christ, and the hope of living eternally with God as a family.
Families are central to God’s plan now and in the future, and are a source of lasting joy and fulfillment.
Prophets Throughout the Ages
Because of The Fall, mankind’s test had begun. They could no longer live in the presence of God. However, God did not withdraw his help. He speaks to mankind throughout the ages through his chosen prophets.
Adam was the first prophet. Others in the Bible include: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, Daniel, and many others.
God gives power and authority to his prophets to speak on his behalf. One of their central roles is to teach God’s plan for our happiness and to point us to Jesus Christ, who would make the salvation of both individuals and families possible.
Throughout the ages, mankind went through periods of belief and disbelief. Sometimes prophets were persecuted and killed, and God withdrew his power until mankind was ready to receive prophets again. This time of disbelief and withdrawal of God’s power is referred to as Apostasy.
During Noah’s time, the people were so hard-hearted that God sent a flood to cleanse the earth. Only Noah’s faithful family survived.
At a later period, Moses miraculously delivered the Hebrew slaves from Egypt, only to witness them reject God’s commandments again and again as they traveled through the desert toward the land that had been promised them.
This pattern of prophets and apostasy continued until the time that Jesus Christ was born.
Jesus Organized a Church
Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life, took upon himself our sins, suffered death, and rose from the dead. Jesus’ acts of suffering for our sins, dying, and being resurrected is known as the Atonement. Without the Atonement, God’s plan of happiness would not have been possible.
While on the earth, Jesus organized a church with twelve apostles, other traveling leaders called seventies, and additional teachers and leaders. Jesus gave these men priesthood power and authority to lead the church.
After Jesus’s death, the Apostles scattered throughout the land to teach people about Jesus Christ and about God’s plan. They organized branches of the church in Greece, Rome, and parts of Asia. However, one by one the Apostles were rejected and/or killed.
There was no one to lead Jesus’s church. The world entered a period of centuries of Great Apostasy as the teachings of Jesus and his apostles were changed or lost. The priesthood power Jesus had given his Apostles was also lost.
Some of the words of ancient prophets were compiled and published as the Bible. But the were no living prophets or messengers from God at that time to give direction.
Restoration of Jesus’s Church
Then, in 1820 A.D., a 14-year old boy named Joseph Smith was troubled by the confusion that existed among Christian churches. All of the pastors, ministers, and teachers claimed a belief in the Bible but each one interpreted its messages differently.
Joseph wanted to know which church he should join, but he didn’t want just any church. He wanted God’s true church, which would teach him how to be saved through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. While studying the Bible, and came across this verse:
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
Since he had already listened to the teaching of the various churches, Joseph decided to go directly to God in prayer for the answer to his question. He chose a quiet place in the woods to pray.
The answer he received was more than he had expected. God and Jesus Christ appeared and answered his prayer directly.
Joseph Smith was called to be the prophet who would once again restore the church of Jesus Christ in our day, called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph was given the priesthood power and authority from God that would allow mankind to again make covenants (or sacred promises) with God and receive his help in our lives. The gospel of Jesus Christ was restored.
Joseph was also shown where to find another book of scripture, comparable to the Bible, which had been written by ancient American inhabitants. He learned that prophets had also lived anciently in America and Jesus had appeared to them following his resurrection. The people of ancient America had gone through their own periods of faith and apostasy. This book of scripture, translated by Joseph Smith, is called The Book of Mormon and its central purpose is to testify of Jesus Christ.
Additional revelations given to Joseph Smith clarified and expounded on truths found in the Bible about what will happen to us after this life.
Death is not the end for you or me. And the choices we make in our lives now will determine our ultimate destiny.
Act III: Post-Mortal Life
Spirit World
“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”
Death is a necessary part of our journey. Because of Jesus Christ’s Atonement we will not be separated from our bodies forever. However, there is a period of time after death in which we will dwell in what is called the Spirit World. We will continue to live as spirits, waiting for the time when we will be reunited with our bodies.
Those who lived faithfully will wait in paradise—a place free from the trouble and sorrows of life. Children and infants who died young will also dwell in paradise. Those in paradise will continue to learn. The will also teach about Jesus Christ and God’s plan to those who didn’t hear about it while they were alive on earth.
Other spirits who do not dwell in paradise will be taught about Jesus Christ and will have the opportunity to accept or reject him.
Our spirits will wait in the Spirit World until the time of resurrection.
Resurrection
Because Jesus Christ was resurrected, he has made it possible for us to also be reunited with our bodies. This is his gift to all who have lived on earth. When we are resurrected, our bodies will be whole and free from disease and pain. We will not die again, but will live forever.
Final Judgment
When we have been resurrected we will be brought to stand before God to make an accounting of our lives. In my prior post, I used the example of a man who went into debt in order to obtain something he greatly desired. At some point, his loan fell due. The final judgment is the point at which our “loan” falls due.
We must make an accounting to God for the choices we made on earth. Because we are not perfect, we will still be in debt. However, if we have accepted Jesus as our “creditor” and if we have fulfilled his terms by living his gospel, Jesus will stand before God as our Mediator. Our debt will be paid and we will be clean before God.
On the other hand, if we have not accepted Jesus Christ nor fulfilled his terms, we stand unclean before God. Such will not receive the same blessings as those who were obedient and faithful.
Kingdoms of Glory
“There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
“There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.”
1 Corinthians 15:40-41
After the Final Judgment we will go to dwell in a kingdom of glory. Scriptures describe these kingdoms of glory, comparing them to the sun, moon, and stars which each give varying degrees of light. President Dallin H. Oaks, a modern apostle, described it this way:
“The revealed doctrine of the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that all the children of God—with exceptions too limited to consider here—will ultimately inherit one of three kingdoms of glory, even the least of which ‘surpasses all understanding.’ After a period in which the disobedient suffer for their sins, which suffering prepares them for what is to follow, all will be resurrected and proceed to the Final Judgment of the Lord Jesus Christ. There, our loving Savior, who, we are taught, ‘glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of his hands,’ will send all the children of God to one of these kingdoms of glory according to the desires manifested through their choices.”
Kingdoms of Glory, October 2023, emphasis added
The Telestial Kingdom, compared to the glory of the stars, will be the home of those who did not accept Jesus Christ or his gospel. This includes a variety of disobedient and unrepentant people, “as one star differeth from another star in glory.” Yet it is still a kingdom of glory. The Holy Ghost will continue to minster there.
The Terrestrial Kingdom, compared to the glory of the moon, will be the home of those who lived good, honorable lives but who were reluctant or not true in accepting the gospel. Jesus Christ will minister among them in this kingdom.
The Celestial Kingdom, compared to the glory of the sun, will be the home of those who accepted Jesus Christ and his gospel and stayed true until the end of their lives. This includes those who didn’t hear about the gospel of Jesus Christ during their mortal life but who would have accepted it if given the opportunity. This is the only kingdom in which eternal families are possible. Spouses will belong to each other and to their children forever. Here, we will live in the presence of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.
The Invitation
You and I chose to come to earth and go through this period of challenge and testing. We didn’t know exactly what it would be like, but we knew that God would help us and Jesus would make it all possible.
The purpose of life, both now and in eternity, is to have joy. We are most likely to achieve the joy we desire if we follow the gospel of Jesus Christ and accept him as our Savior.
Like Joseph Smith, you and I have an avenue of direct communication with God. Please think of what stood out to you from this message and consider praying and asking God if it is true. Prayer can be as simple as this:
“Dear Heavenly Father,
“I’m thankful for __________. Please help me to know if __________ is true. [Share other thoughts, feelings, and questions that come to mind].
“In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”
After the prayer, pay attention to any thoughts, feelings, or impressions you experience. Recording these can be especially powerful. If you don’t feel anything immediately, it’s okay. Continue to pray as often as you like. Sometimes answers come slowly, like the dawning of the sun rather than the turning on of a light switch. If you are sincere about wanting to know something, God will provide an answer.
Next time will be the final introductory post for those who are new to Christianity and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We will explore in more detail the gospel of Jesus Christ and why it is important to have an organized church and religion.
Have a blessed week!
This is blog is not an official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To learn the Church’s official doctrine and teachings please visit: comeuntochrist.org.
Recommended Study
“I Lived in Heaven,” Children’s song about pre-mortal life
“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” The role of the family in God’s plan
“The Restoration,” A 20-minute video about Joseph Smith’s First Vision
“Think Celestial,” October 2023 message from the prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, about how we can prepare now to live in the Celestial Kingdom