The “Marvellous Work and a Wonder” (Isaiah. 29:14)

     At the beginning of the Maxwell Institute Study Edition of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, one of the first quotations in its introduction is a one from Neal A. Maxwell. It is the following quote:

“The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is a marvelous episode not only in Church history but also in human history. You and I owe many people for their roles in bringing us the Book of Mormon, a book filled with plain and precious salvational truths which came forth by “the gift and power of God” (Book of Mormon title page). Through the labors and sacrifices of many, the “marvellous work and a wonder” foreseen by Isaiah (Isa. 29:14) restored vital truths which had been lost to mankind for centuries! We can best express our gratitude by reading and applying the teachings of the Book of Mormon.”

     Neal A. Maxwell was an apostle of Jesus Christ in these latter-days, who died in 2004.

     This quotation impressed me, and the Book of Mormon is at least part of the “marvellous work and a wonder” that Isaiah saw in vision. The vital truths that was “lost to mankind for centuries” is an allusion to the great apostasy after the dispensation of Jesus Christ. The apostles and the saints, who lived during his restoration of his personal ministry of the gospel, were persecuted and many were killed. Jesus Christ is the leader of his church, and his authority to minister in his name was lost as the apostles were martyred. We endure the effects of the great apostasy today as many people believe that there is no truth to seek; however, the “marvellous work and a wonder” is happening today.

     I will expound on this. The Book of Mormon is such a wonder that a Broadway musical was composed to mock its origin. The world looks to every excuse imaginable to dismiss the Book of Mormon, yet it has the attention. The fact that there is so much resistance to consider reading the book is evidence that evil forces are seeking to diminish its influence, which was described by, the first prophet of the Latter-day dispensation, Joseph Smith Jr “would get [man] nearer to God by abiding its precepts, than by any other book.” Let us engage in the wonder rather than hearken to temptations of Satan to ignore this great gift of God to man.

     We ought to be grateful for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, for they prepared the writings, preserving it for our day. The prophets, who wrote the book, literally were addressing people of our day. The Book of Mormon is special because the testimony of the House of Israel is not only contained in it, which joins the Bible in a marvelous testimony of Jesus Christ. Another nation’s testimony of Christ is contained in the Book of Mormon the nation were called the Jaredites. They are a nation of people, who were led to a promised land after God confounded the people, building the Tower of Babel. We have many people to be grateful for from all the prophets of the two nations to Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris, who aided Joseph Smith in the translation and the publication of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ with thousands of years of testimony that Jesus Christ can reveal the truth to mankind. I too have received revelation that the Book of Mormon is a true book. The Book of Mormon is available on the Book of Mormon app, and you can order a physical copy online at the following link: https://www.comeuntochrist.org/beliefs/book-of-mormon/book-of-mormon-request

Patreon: About me

Since I was a child, I desired to be an artist and content creator, finding a talent for writing during high school. I have taken a couple art classes; however, my goal is to make a living from serving you. I have developed many ways to serve people over the past several years. I plan to reboot and revamp these services to serve you better full-time, requesting for your support.

My main service is called "Read the Story of the World," which applies to most people. When I got off my two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my little brother introduced me to Twitter, and I started following the world news because I believe the following scripture:

​

"And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom. Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand; Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms— That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you. Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor." (D&C 88:77-81)

I found that people need to follow many sources of news to get a reliable broad understanding of the situation of the world. I began to retweet the meaningful news, filtering out the fluff and duplicity of articles; then, I started a blog in 2011. Its articles were the daily log of the retweets; morning and evening, starting in July. I also published weekly articles, archiving the news. Since I stopped in June 2013, I am rebooting this blog, establishing a publication, by summarizing the world news in a simple daily post. I even recorded YouTube videos, a podcasts of sorts, which I plan to do too.

My second main service is a more narrow audience. I have been sharing content for and by single adults for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I started the pages associated with this service in January 5, 2014. I still maintain it today. The Facebook page is called “Single Adult Blogs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” The audience is small, being about two thousand people. A theme of my services is that they are pretty dysfunctional like my world news blog. There is too much content to follow. I am going to reduce the content to one or two posts a day. I share content by and for single adults every two hours. There will be daily and weekly digests, and a monthly magazine of sorts. All of my content is not polished finished products; however, I have a lot of experience in presentation and composition during my last job that will help refine the content. Your feedback will help a lot too.

A third service that I do for the Christian audience started last year in 2019, I write spiritual thoughts. A friend said that I could write for the church's Ensign Magazine. This blog is called onceuponaprecept.blogspot.com.

One project that I have is writing a science fiction book. I started this project in 2010. The title is currently DNA Turn on. My friend, Piper Bass, commented "i see major potential here. it needs some work but the idea's you have are totaly awesome! i think it could be big. i know i would read it."

If you want to see my daily effort, seeing if I am slacking off, I will also reboot my blog. Some people think that this is odd, but I publish my journal entries. Journals are written to be read some day. Why not have it be read today? This blog is called writtentoberead.blogspot.com.

I also have an advocacy blog to support people in various situations from anxiety and depression, to child care, and more. It is called readingislistening.blogspot.com

I recently got an email from a sister that I served. 'Joanne Perri wanted us to forward her appreciation for the work you did for her in her place. "He is an absolutely outstanding and a lovely polite young man. He works like you've never seen cleaning...and perfectly. I think he deserves a thank you from everybody because he is a real asset to the organization."'

As you can tell, I love to write, and I have said to people that I would write all day long if I could. I plan to reboot all of my writing projects revealed above. I hope that you would see me as someone worth supporting. All of my content will be free, and I will not have advertisements. I believe a supporting community here will bless many people as the publication becomes for formal and professional. Thank you for your time reading this. I hope that you would allow me to serve you in at least one of the services described above.

My service would be impossible without your support. Please consider contributing monthly. Any amount is much appreciated.

"Nevertheless, I did look unto my God" (1 Nephi 18:16)

My older brother gave me the Maxwell Institute Study Edition of the Book of Mormon for Christmas. I was thinking of starting from the beginning as I begin my career as a content creator, but I also thought that I do not want to get too behind the “Come, Follow me” program. I think that keeping up with all the various readings that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints produces and can be discouraging.

I have lived with this my whole life, since I have dyslexia. It is not the stereotypical way. I just read a little slower. I believe that the “Come, Follow me” program is very adaptable for each person and family, and Heavenly Father is incredibly grateful for your best effort. I can’t keep up by reading all the chapters in each week’s lessons; however, I review the family scripture study suggestions with my wife. I hope that my open nature will comfort you as the expectation to read so many things may seem impossible.

I have an insight from the Book of Mormon that I think is inspiring. I am reading in 1 Nephi 18, where Nephi has been bound for four days by his older brothers, Laman and Lemuel, since he expressed his fear of his older siblings’ behavior, which was in his belief offensive to God. The context of the situation is that Nephi led them to construct a boat, and they were on the ocean, traveling to the Promised Land. When Nephi was bound, the ocean and weather became dangerous storm. Although the Liahona, a divinely led compass, which was provided by God, did not guide Laman and Lemuel as they braved the tempest, only the fear of death humbled Laman and Lemuel. As I read this, I realized this insight.

Nephi said that he endured being bound for four days and “swollen exceedingly.” (1 Nephi 18:15) He was not discouraged because of his depressing situation, writing that he “did praise [God] all the day long.” (1 Nephi 18:16)

How did he praise God and not “murmur” in this condition? (1 Nephi 18:16) I believe that it is because he valiantly practiced the gospel, developing a stable mindset as he has learned from his study and revelations from God.

I decided to start from the beginning again, so you can understand the Maxwell Institute Study Edition of the Book of Mormon more and why it has given me a unique perspective as I have been reading the book. 

The Refugee Fundraiser Campaign Explained

On my Facebook page the 'Single Adults' Blogs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints', I typically reply to inquiries. "Hi, How can I help you?" A man named Javad Afzali asked, if the church is in Canada.

I said "Yes. That country was the one of the first that we expanded into."

Confusion came when he mention that he is in Turkey. Why is he asking about the church in Canada, if he is in Turkey? Sending him a map of the church buildings in Turkey, I was informed that he was in a refugee camp four hours away from Ankara. Javad said that he has no rights, since he is not a citizen of Turkey, having to receive special permission from law enforcement to leave the camp.

Javad Afzali is a refugee because he is an Iranian, who converted to Christianity, and he asked me to donate to Dariush and Marya Worship Ministry. I did not call the number that he gave me because I wanted avoid the possibility that the number would direct me to some scam person. Visiting their website, I found their email address to ask if they have any connection with a refugee in Turkey. Although I did not name Javad in my email, Dariush responded, expounding his situation more than I initially understood.

Javad is seeking asylum in Canada for his family of three, including his wife and his son. He sent me a picture of his son, who suffers from favism and seizures. He also sent me pictures of some of his documentation. Dariush revealed that Javad needs 7,000 US dollars for each member of his family to support them for a year of asylum, totaling 21,000 US dollars. Dariush and Marya Worship Ministry is doing a fundraiser event for the family on December 7, 2019.

Dariush and Marya Worship Ministry is an Iranian Christian Church in Los Angeles, California.One of the ministry focus is translating Christian songs from English to Farsi. Their recorded music is impressive to listen to. I highly recommend looking them up on YouTube. They are dedicating a 45 minute performance to the Afzali family on December 7, 2019 7 pm at the One Church LA - Feiz.

I will donate; however, I want a more reputable way to transfer money than to mail a check. Dariush made a GoFundMe because they have the charity status to make a Free campaign. My birthday is on December 4th, and I hope that you would donate to support the Afzali family with their asylum to Canada and gain some liberty and rights.

Feast on the Book of Mormon

D&C 132:22 For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me. 

23 But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye shall be also. 

24 This is eternal lives—to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he. Receive ye, therefore, my law. 

25 Broad is the gate, and wide the way that leadeth to the deaths; and many there are that go in thereat, because they receive me not, neither do they abide in my law.

Only wise God 

Satan is no wise.

Path to lives Path to deaths

Why is the path strait & narrow? The path is designed by God. a path to perfection covenant path

Lamp to your feet A light to your path

Integrity knows their standards. Life is uncertain without integrity, Integrity always has lives their standards.

Cultivating does not yield fruit in a day. Cultivating the gift of the Holy Ghost require consistent effort.

The spirit of prophesy was given to Oliver Cowdery & Joseph Smith, when they were baptized, speaking in prophesy.

Pray before physical & spiritual meals.

Practice, record principles learned

shape the style of study to fit you.

Where would I be without the Book of Mormon?

No worldly wealth is worth more than knowledge of Christ obtained by sincerely studying the Book of Mormon.

The world would be rotten without the Book of Mormon. I would be rotten without the Book of Mormon.

What would you not know without the Book of Mormon? No one would know the true nature of God without the Book of Mormon. The true nature of God was revealed by the restoration, and many Christian religions are taking it for granted. The Plan of Salvation is lost without the Book of Mormon. The atonement of Jesus Christ is expounded more than any book.

Alma 22:14 And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory;

1 Nephi 19:9 And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.

When I think of the Book of Mormon, I think of the word power. The truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console, and cheer our souls.

Idolatry, Tolerance, & Love

You become what you worship.

Anything that you prioritize before God is your idol.

Technology

Addiction

Yourself

Celebrities

Video Games

Family

Sports

Money

Prestige

Movies

YouTube

Pokemon

carnality

Addictions are never ending. More and more. Deeper and deeper. 

Addictions are self-centered.

Depression

Things as they really are. - David Bednar

Face God first.

Obedience brings freedom.

God has complete self-mastery.

Commandments are the path to God's life.

It is dehumanizing to live carnally.

Obedience to the Law of Chasity requires a higher self-esteem.

Power of force or influence.

Love of God enhances work.

Seek meaningful service.

Commandments gives power.

Obedience directs influence for good.

Good desires will increase obedience.

more commandments which inspired him.

Pray for service oppornities.

-------------------

Tolerance & Love

Tolerance is not the same as tolerant.

Love the person hate the sin.

2 Nephi 9:49 Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart delighteth in righteousness; and I will praise the holy name of my God.

Abhorrence - disgust/hate

Sin destroys people

Boundary lines without war lines

Each person has beliefs and assumptions that brings each other to a conclusion. One should not judge and reject because people think differently.

Textcast: Moving away from Google (also Huawei, Phone Companies dying, and Fuchsia OS.)

Alex: Hi Trevor, You may not believe it, but I want to delete my Google account. I bought a iPhone SE last night. I have the following things against Google:

- YouTube is too addicting with their personalized home page. 

- Google's search is personalized too, making the result biased.

- Google's ad service is makes my phone a personal mall, seeking to sale me anything according to advertisers desires, if it matches my profile.

- Google does not respect the privacy of my email, using it to their advantage; keep in mind, the many other things that they track such as: search, browsing, having questionnaires, and more.

I want to become free from this culture. Like I freed myself cares of movie, music, & celebrity industry. I want to free myself from YouTube & Google.

Trevor: Okay

Alex: This iPhone will enable me to get my old 0611 phone number back. hopefully going to Xfinity mobile, having free calling & texting. You think so? Transitioning away from T-mobile to have one less bill. They only charge for data.

Trevor: Yeah if Xfinity can work for you.

Alex: What do you think of my reasoning against Google? Are they fair & accurate? I may want to get into Linux too. Didn't you say that you like the SE?

Trevor: The SE is a nice size but now it could be getting outdated for system updates.

Alex: What do you think of my reasoning against Google? Are they fair & accurate?

Trevor: I could see that. For me I use YouTube because I usually I keep up to date with tech, and entertain me on my work commute. Personally I like targeted ads because its for me better than random ads that don't apply to me. You can always delete any info Google has on you in your data. You can always use YouTube without logging in if you don't like personalization.

Alex: I may use YouTube without logging it, but it is definitely less attractive without logging in, which I am happy about.

Trevor: Linux is fun. I just don't have time for it

Alex: Is messenger private yet?

Trevor: Messenger from Facebook? Facebook is worse than Google in Privacy.

Alex: Yes. I may want to get away from Microsoft.

Trevor: Linux just has some compatibility problems if you need it for specific programs.

Alex: It is easier to get away from Facebook. You don't need a Facebook account to access Android. Facebook's advertising is not universal.

Trevor: That's true. You can opt out of targeted ads on Facebook. Android without Google is crippled. You can still use it but the versatility is severely dulled

Alex: I am not worried as much about Facebook. I barely use it; plus, they are trying to be more private.

Trevor: You would need to download things through APKs

Alex: Have you been following the Hauwei news? Their cellphone division was basically destroyed; 10 billion dollar market share. Trevor: Yeah because Trump is using Huawei as a asset in the China-USA trade war. It's not because of Chins is "spying on us" He has no evidence.

Alex: Painfully Honest Tech said evidence was presented on a Thursday a couple weeks ago. 

Trevor: On FPT Prosser cited a video in which Trump said he would consider letting Huawei work with the US if Chins would agree

Alex: Trump has no tact. Trade deal conversation makes it obvious, but it is on snippet of the entire conversation. Huawei would have been blacklisted a long time ago, if our politics had not become so liberal.

Trevor: Trump is a businessman not a political leader.

Alex: Huawei is China's main tech company; heavily part of their communist efforts.

Trevor: He hasn't been informing the consumers anything and isn't telling us the real reason Huawei has been banned with any US businesses.

Alex: Trump has no tact.

Trevor: Hopefully China can make a deal

Alex: I hope that the ban is not lifted with the trade deal; then, Trump would not be a businessman.

Trevor: Well it would suck to see Huawei and competition die. They're the only company to compete with Samsung and Apple

Alex: Competition would surely not die, but be as the Gods, knowing good and evil.

Trevor: Hahaha. Huawei would die without Android; thus, would leave Samsung and Apple yet again

Alex: Huawei is not a phone company.

Trevor: They say they have factories for in house chips and a OS they are working on it but I doubt it would give fruit

Alex: They existed before Android.

Trevor: Globally they are, Which is what matters

Alex: Smartphone companies have died before. Motorola.

Trevor: Competition encourages innovation and lower prices and variety. As a consumer I don't want just Samsung. Motorola is not dead.

Alex: It was huge.

Trevor: It's still around. They sell it in Best Buy

Alex: HTC

Trevor: HTC has unfortunately reduced to a Block-chain smartphone company. I think Google has HTC for some things

Alex: Samsung tried to kill them, but Google saved them.

Trevor: Yeah. Anyways Huawei was on the way to becoming a force to reckon with. A leader in smartphones Since this announcement it's very uncertain their future

Alex: China is like one gigantic company. Their business tactics are not fair.

Trevor: Huawei will still sell in the China

Alex: Yep.

Trevor: But they'll be just like the apple of China.

Alex: Oh yeah. That's an interesting thought. It might make them more profitable. Probably not. Chinese software sucks.

Trevor: I think Apple is endangered of being banned in China which could stifle their expansion and growth.

Alex: Taking business away from China would strength other international business ties, and increase our self-reliance.

Trevor: Maybe but we want good relationships with China being they make everything. haha I don't want high tariffs passed to me

Alex: Doesn't Apple have factories in India?

Trevor: I think so

Alex: Apple should be fine without China. People may buy more of Apple, if it were not made in China. Communism is evil.

Trevor: we have factories inland but Apple needs growth to not stagnate

Alex: Apple is diversifying.

Trevor: They're going towards services

Alex: Harvesting more wool from their sheep

Trevor: They need to saturate their sheep with endless bills

Alex: haha. I think the cell phone industry competition is dying anyways. It is stagnating. The ban will make new movement.

Trevor: I want Google to succeed and grow in the smartphone industry which they have started to show with their Pixel 3a. They have the potential.

Alex: What cellphones would the global market purchase without Huawei? Samsung?

Trevor: Samsung, Xiaomi could expand, except their Ex Googler leader have left them now. LG sucks they haven't done well in recent years. OnePlus will grow.

Alex: Sony's cell phones have died too. Who is OnePlus with?

Trevor: Except if Trump starts to ban more Chinese industries. Google needs more budget options to continue forth. Their last Q the Pixel 3 sold poorly.

Alex: Pixel 4 is almost more mainstream, but cell phone designs are more distinguished this year. It is not unique.

Trevor: It's a Samsung look alike, but it should have a 90hz screen like the OnePlus 7 Pro

Alex: I expect that the punch hole will not be like the notch. Samsung is not a company to copy this round.

Trevor: The punch hole is pleasing to the eye is more discreet. I don't think Google will risk with a popup camera.

Alex: I don't see punch hole city being built quickly. Notch City is huge.

Trevor: It's only Samsung who does it so you'll need to purchase panels from them. Maybe China has copied them already. Who do you think will rise internationally?

Alex: Internationality should not be dominated by China. China should not be its face.

Trevor: South Korea?

Alex: Them too.

Trevor: Apple? Google?

Alex: South Korea is a little Communist because Samsung and other companies are funded by their government.

Trevor: Is LG?

Alex: Apple & Google are not countries.

Trevor: 5555. They might as well be. They have more power than most countries.

Alex:

Trevor: Tariffs 😞 Do you think Trump will get any trade deals?

Alex: I don't know if this statement is true. "South Korea is a little Communist because Samsung and other companies are funded by their government." I heard it from a HTC person.

Trevor: I don't know either. I mean Obama's funded some car companies don't mean we are Communist.

Alex: Someone who worked there. He said Samsung was dominating Taiwan because it was helped by the government.

Trevor: Yeah I have no clue

Alex: Maybe it is a socialist practice

Trevor: Yeah socialist is more probable

Alex: Socialism leads to Communism.

Trevor: Yeah. Obama's idea of Federal funded health care was socialist

Alex: Yep. Samsung killed HTC. It's on its deathbed. https://www.statista.com/statistics/271496/global-market-share-held-by-smartphone-vendors-since-4th-quarter-2009/

Trevor: HTC didn't innovate after some higher-ups left; even though, their slogan was quiet brilliant. OnePlus is probably categorized as Oppo, since they're under them.

Alex: Sony died in 2012.

Trevor: Nokia died in 2011.

Alex: HTC died then too.

Trevor: Yeah that's when some of the leading designers left

Alex: Before 2011 was the hay day.

Trevor: Scott Scroyle went on to form Next bit which was bought by Razer and since he has moved on. I remember 2010 was a year of phones before I left on my mission. He left in 2014 i guess. Blackberry is still popular in some part of Canada/US. They died in 2010. RIM-BB. Samsung really sold the most Q4 2018

Alex: How do you think we will transition to Fuchsia OS? 

Trevor: Probably in a couple years. It will probably first be on Pixelbooks and Smart-home devices

Alex: hm

Trevor: Phones I think will be adopting it later since Android is so predominant https://9to5google.com/2019/05/09/what-is-google-fuchsia/

pocketnow.com/huawei-defends-apple-against-possible-ban

www.androidauthority.com/ungoogled-refurbished-smartphones-986985/

Christ's Parable about Suffering

Studying Matthew chapter 13, I thought that the following parable relates to suffering: 

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (Matthew 24-30)

Why does the steward not remove opposition? It is because it would destroy the product of his field. His field would be more fruitful if he waits until the harvest to sort out the enemy's seeds in the end.

Characteristics of a Disciple

What is a disciple? a follower of Jesus Christ

• Jesus comes first before friends and family.
• Serve others before yourself.
• Humble & Modest   
• Seek no glory. Glory be to God.   

Why? To get to heaven.   

Obedience: Habits or rituals?

Live the commandments with purpose.   

What are the reasons that you are obedient to each commandment?   

Bonus:

Life is streamed live before the Heavens, and God can only edit it by your repentance & faith.

For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. (D&C 128)

Institute: Marriage (edited notes)

Marriage   

The marvel is eternity.  Man can be married for time and all eternity.

The congregation called Shakers reject marriage. Parley Pratt was sent to preach to them.

We teach the following about marriage:

Marriage is ordained of God, a partnership with God to raise his children. A student shared that his parents changed their habits of competing ideas, which may have contributed to his troubled nature; however, they united by practicing the following pattern: discuss, decide, & a confirm by revelation and prayer.

Eternal progression is a sole blessing of exaltation. All other glories have a limit to their progress, a damnation of sorts. Earth is created to be full, enlarging the human family.

The Doctrine of Mortal Suffering: Part 4

This talk on suffering by Francine R. Bennion is longer than expected. She questions general assumptions, making the following statement.

"If we believe suffering shouldn’t exist, but it does; or suffering is God’s way of testing and teaching, but what can a wailing infant be proving or learning; or prayer should cure the problem, but it hasn’t—then it is not only the suffering that troubles us but also the great cracks in a universe that should make sense but doesn’t." (A Latter-day Saint Theology of Suffering: Francine R. Bennion)

Is suffering only an aspect of mortality? When I read this, I made the following simple note: Don't ignore consequences. There are consequences to all decisions. Some have good results, and some have bad results. Most people would think enduring negative consequences is suffering. Negative consequences rarely affect one person; even, personal issues affect others. If this is the case, how can existence in Telestial, Terrestrial, or Celestial Kingdoms be absent of suffering? Telestial & Terrestrial Kingdoms are definitely full of imperfect immortal people, and the Celestial Kingdom is full of perfect immortal people; however, some Celestial beings are part of the marriage covenant, enabling them to have children. Will all of the children of God be perfect? No. It is a common Christian belief that one third of all of God's children chose to follow Satan. Spirit children before mortality exercise agency. How much anguish did God suffer at the loss of one third of his children? It must be tremendous. I expect that God feels a lot if not all that we go through by empathy. This empathy and suffering does not destroy all happiness and joy.