“Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives” (Samuel Medley, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”). We have all been given a life sentence, a probationary period during this mortal existence in which we are to be tested and challenged and proved if we will do all things which our Heavenly Father would have us do. It is tempting to dwell on the dark and dreadful things that we all must face and thus turn our impression of this whole mortal experience as little more than joyless drudgery. Of course, this plays right into Satan’s hands, as he desires nothing more than to make us as miserable as he is. But this life sentence that we have been given was intended to be a gift from our Heavenly Father, and He does not give us bad gifts. “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25). We have each been placed on this earth primarily to experience joy. The real test that each one of us must try to pass is not whether or not we can bear up under great pain. We all are naturals at experiencing pain and will find new and inventive ways of bringing pain down upon ourselves and others with very little prompting. No, the real test is trying to find and allow ourselves to savor the sweet joy that is waiting each moment for us to discover and enjoy. Our Heavenly Father has given us a probationary period, a life sentence, filled often and frequently with pain and afflictions, but, oh, how sweet the joy this sentence gives, if we will but open ourselves up to it!
