The Purpose of Life (1980)

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Published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake City, Utah 1978

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PURPOSE

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The Purpose of Life S you look at yourself and otfiers, do you wonder—Wfio am I? Wfiere did I come from?

Wfiy am I fiere? Wfiere am I going?

Does God fiave a purpose for me? For my family?

For my friends? For everyone? Tfie answer fo ffiese questions is yes! God does hiave a purposeful plan for you and for everyone. He wants you, your family, friends, and ali fiis cfiildren on eartfi to know of ttie purpose of life and tfie way fo fulfill tfiat purpose. The scriptures, written by revelation from God to fiis propfiets, poinf clearly fo all men tfie way of salvation tfirougfi Jesus Cfirist, tfie Son of God, tfie Savior of tfie world.

Tfie Savior fias said: "I am ffie way, ffie truffi, and tfie life: no man cometfi unto tfie Faffier, but by m e " (Jofin 14:6). "Come . . . follow m e , " fie exfiorted (Ivlark 8:34).

To find Cfirist's way and follow it must surely be God's purpose for every man. To seek out tfie Savior's way is ffie first step. For yourself, only you can cfioose fo follow ffie Lord, if follow you will. You, your family, your posferity will be efernally blessed by ffie rigfit decision. Tfie words you are abouf to read deal directly witfi your personal salvation. Your quiet contemplation of ffie Lord's lioly words will call fo mind ffie revealed answers fo tfie great questions: Wfio am I? Wfiere did I come from? Wfiat fiave God and Cfirisf done for me? Wfiat must I do for myself to make my life fiappy and abundant? How may I obtain eternal fiappiness?

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Where Did You Come From?

IFE for you did nof begin fiere on earffi. You lived before you were born; you will live on in tfie spirit world after your mortal life is ended.

Tfiereaffer, and ffirougfiout tfie eternities, you will live forever as a resurrected tieing. But wfietfier you

live in glory or sorrow is a determination only you can make.

God's Purpose for Man "For befiold, ffiis is my work and my glory—fo bring fo pass thie immortality and eternal life of m a n " (Pearl of Greaf Price, Moses 1:39).

God Creafed You "So God creafed man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female creafed he f h e m " (Genesis 1:27).

You Are Responsible fo God "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?" (Hebrews 12:9).

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You Are a Child of God E all once lived in the presence of God, fhe Eternal Father. In the world before your earth life you were a spirit child of his. With this divine parentage, your destiny, through righteous living, is to become like your Father in Heaven and return to his presence.

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Earth Life is a Divine Plan N your life before birth, before fhe earth was creafed, God presented a plan fo his children for their advancement. You were free to accept or reject this plan of salvation. Those spirit children who accepted his plan were given the opportunity to live on earth; those who rejected his plan were not privileged to enter mortality.

Your Purpose in Life "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is fhe day for men to perform their labors" (Book of Mormon, Alma 34:32).

You Must Prove Yourself to God "And we will prove them [mankind] herewith, to see if fhey will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them; " A n d they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads forever and ever" (Pearl of Great Price, Abraham 3:25-26).

You ore a child of G o d

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What Does Mortality Provide You? N coming to earth you gained a body of flesh and bone, and though you may die, you have been promised an eternal resurrection. While on earth you also have an opportunity to live by faith, away from fhe presence of God, and to thereby prove yourself. You have been given commandmenfs and laws and the freedom to obey or disobey—but justly you are responsible for your choices.

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God Wants You to Succeed OD is fair. Through your freedom to choose good or evil, he knows you will make mistakes. Since the transgressor cannot, under his own power, be resurrected or return to the presence of his Heavenly Fafher, God has provided the way, and if you accept the means placed within your reach, you may unite once again with your eternal family.

God Blessed Adam and Eve " A n d God blessed them, and God said unto them.

Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of fhe sea, and over fhe fowl of fhe air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth" (Genesis 1:28).

Adam Made Your Life Possible "Adam fell fhaf men might be: and men are, that they might have joy" (Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 2:25).

You May Earn Salvation through Christ "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:22).

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Christ Is Your Redeemer

N pre-earth life Jesus Christ offered fo fake upon himself the sins of all who would live on earth, upon the condition of their repentance. The flawless earth life and sacrifice of this one Perfect Being made possible the resurrection of all men and the return of fhe faithful and repentant to the presence of God. God Sacrificed His Perfect Son for You "For God so loved fhe world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

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Christ's sacrifice m o d e possible the return cf the faithful a n d renentantta God

Christ Suffered for Your Sins "For Chrisf also hafh once suffered for sins, fhe just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, buf quickened by fhe Spirit" (1 Peter 3:18).

Christ Can Reconcile Your Sins " A n d if any man sin, we have an advocate with fhe Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. " A n d he is the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 2:1-2).

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Opposition in Aii Things UT there is opposition in your life; there are forces that would encourage your failure.

Lucifer, before fhe world began, was opposed fo God's plan of salvation. He would influence your life today; he is the advocate of all evil; he would fempf you fo remain impure.

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The Atonement ot Christ N the spirit world, before this life, you were among the faithful. You earned, there, the right to be on earth today. Christ, through his perfect life and his personal sacrifice, has provided atonement for your sins, but only on condition that you accept and follow his plan of salvation.

Everyone Has Need fo Repent "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of G o d " (Romans 3:23).

Salvation for You Comes Only through Christ "And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Chrisf, the Lord Omnipotent" (Book of Mormon, Mosiah 3:17).

"Jesus saifh. . . , I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comefh unto the Father but by m e " (John 14:6).

You Will Not Suffer If You Repent "For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, fhaf they might not suffer if they would repent; " . . . Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of m e n " (Doctrine and Covenants 19:16,19).

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The Grace of God OUR Eternal Father, by his grace, has made known the plan of salvafion fhrough his holy prophets since the world began. By their inspired words and through the scriptures, ali the essential laws and ordinances have been revealed.

But God cannot make the decision for you; you must choose for yourself.

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The Way—the Gospel of Jesus Christ HE firsf principles and ordinances of the gospel are essential steps toward salvation and are the entrance way into the Church and kingdom of God. These sfeps are wifhin your reach, and fhe accepfance of fhem is necessary fo gain all the blessings offered by the atonement of Jesus Chrisf.

You Must Be Judged by Your Works " A n d I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and fhe books were opened: and another book was opened, which is fhe book of life: and fhe dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works" (Revelation 20:12).

No Unclean Person Can Live with God "Wherefore, if ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation, then ye are found unclean before fhe judgment-seat of God: and no unclean thing can dwell with G o d " (Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 10:21).

You Cannot Be Saved in Your Sins "He hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven?

Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins" (Book of Mormon, Aima 11:37).

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First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel E believe that fhe first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second.

Repentance; third. Baptism by immersion for fhe remission of sins; fourth. Laying on of hands for the gift of fhe Holy Ghost" (Joseph Smith, Fourth Article of Faith).

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in fhe name of Jesus Christ for fhe remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2;38).

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ "Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek h i m " (Hebrews 11:6).

Repentance "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19).

Baptism by Immersion "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and ofthe Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19).

The Gift of the Holy Ghost "Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost" (Acts 8:17).

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Endure to the End

AITH, repentance, baptism by immersion for fhe remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the gift of fhe Holy Ghost—these steps constitute the entrance to the Church and the kingdom of God. Buf fhis is only the beginning.

Continued obedience to the teachings of Christ must foliow. Christ said: "He that endureth to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 10:22).

You must live a good life. You musf live each day wifh honor, faifh, and courage and wifh an endurance equal fo whaf must be endured. God's plan for his children is one of advancemenf and progression and continual improvement.

Christ, the Author of Salvation "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; " A n d being made perfect, he became the author of efernal salvation unto all them that obey h i m " (Hebrews 5:8-9).

Only through Obedience Can You Return to God "Jesus saith. . . , I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comefh unto the Father, but by m e " (John 14:6).

irst pnncipes a n d ordinances ofthe gospel— Faith in Jesus Chris" Repentance Baptism by immersion Gift of the Holy Ghos"

"Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Fafher which is in heaven" (Matfhew7:21).

The Firsf Greaf Commandment "Jesus said . . . Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with aii thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

"This is the first and great commandment" (Matthew 22:37-38).

The Second Great Commandment " A n d the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. " O n fhese fwo commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:39-40).

Christ's Goal for You " B e ye fherefore perfecf, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).

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You Harvest What You Sow OU develop and improve only as you use what the Lord God gave you. The law God gave Adam, "In the sweat of thy face shalf thou eat bread" (Genesis 3:19), applies not merely to physical sustenance; it is also a law for the salvation of the soul. You harvest only what you sow.

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Religion is an Everyday Challenge RUE religion consists not only of knowing and professing spirifual frufhs, but also of everyday activifies in which proper respect for self, love for fellowmen, and devofion to God are guiding principles. It is by following this path that you are permitted to share in the heritage of fhe glory of God. Chrisf Taughf You How fo Live wifh Ofhers "Ye have heard fhaf if hath been said. An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a foofh.

"But I say unto you. That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. " A n d if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. " A n d whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

"Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that

would borrow of ffiee furn not tfiou away" (Matthew 5:38-42).

"Therefore all fhings whafsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to t h e m " (Matthew 7:12).

"Ye have heard that it hafh been said, Thou shalf love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

"But I say unto you. Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for fhem which despitefully use you, and persecute y o u " (Matthew 5:43-44).

"Therefore if fhou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before fhe altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift" (Matthew 5:23-24).

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive y o u " (Matthew 6:14).

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Parents Must Train Chiidren in Truth have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth," said the Apostle John (3 John 1 ;4).

Surely God, the Father of us ail, can have no greater joy than fo see his chiidren walk in truth.

Wise parents are happiest when they train their children in truthful, worthwhile pursuits.

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True Religion: Service to Others RUE religion expresses itself in service fo ofhers. Service to others takes many forms: proper disciplining of a child, giving encouragement to the discouraged, setting a good example, the kindly greeting, creating opportunities for ofhers. Individuals, families, even nations reach their highest attainment through service to others.

Christ Taught You How to Give "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of fhem: otherwise ye have no reward. . . .

"But when fhou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth" (Matthew 6:1, 3).

What is Pure Religion?

"Pure religion . . . is this. To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the w o r l d " (James 1:27).

You Will Be Resurrected % Jfc J HEN we depart this mortal life, we wiii ^ M ^ f enter the world of spirifs with our own W w identity and with further opportunity to advance. Because of fhe resurrection of Jesus Chrisf, all will be resurrected; fhaf is, fhe body and fhe spirit will be reunited and then men will live forever, gaining fhe reward which they have earned in God's program for his children's progression.

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You Are Accountable to God OU have a literal eternal Father who sent you here and to whom you will return to account for whaf you have done with your opportunities. "This life is fhe time for men fo prepare to meet G o d " (Book of Mormon, Alma 34:32). You move on fo a personal, everlasting life, toward the answers and peace promised by Him who said, "This is life efernal, that fhey might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3).

You Are Rewarded for Keeping God's Commandments "In my Father's house are many mansions: if if were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. . . .

"That where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:2-3).

"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love h i m " (1 Corinthians 2:9).

"Jesus said . . . , I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25).

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righfeousness; and all these things shall be added unto y o u " (Matthew 6:33).

Mission Addresses Mission offices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints are located worldwide. Some are listed below. You can learn more abouf the Church and about the gospel of Jesus Christ by contacting the office nearest you.

Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission Casiila d e Correo 3 5 1828 Banfieid Buenos Aires. Argentina Australia Sydney Mission 5 Russell Street. Wollstonecratt Sydney. N. S. W.. 2065, Australia Brazil Sao Paulo North Missioh Caixa Postal 20809 Sao Pauio. SP. Brazil 0 1 0 0 0

J a p a n T o k y o North Mission 5-10-30 Minami A z a b u , Minato-Ku, Tokyo 106. J a p a n Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission 11764 South Harreii's Ferry Road Baton R o u g e . Louisiana 70816 Mexico M e x i c o City South Missioh Monte C a u c a s o 1110 Lomas d e C h a p u l t e p e c Mexico 10, D.F.

Cailfornia Los Angeles Mission P.O. Box 2 4 0 8 9 Los Angeles, California 90024 C a n a d a Toronto Mission 3 3 8 Q u e e n Street East, Suite 214 B r a m p t o n , Ontario. C a n a d a LBV 1 0 5

Missouri i n d e p e n d e n c e Mission 306 South Pleasant Street. Box 455 i n d e p e n d e n c e . Missouri 64051 Netherlands A m s t e r d a m Mission L a a r d e r w e g 128 1402 B M Bussum. Netherlands

Denmark C o p e n h a g e n Mission Priorvej 12 2 0 0 0 C o p e n h a g e n F. Denmark England L o n d o n Mission 64/68 Exhibition Road L o n d o n SW7 2PA, England France Paris Mission 23. rue d u 11 n o v e m b r e 1918 7 8 1 1 0 Le Vesinet. France G e r m a n y Frankfurt Mission 6 Frankfurt/Main 90 Ditmarstrasse 9, G e r m a n y H o n g K o n g Mission No. 2 Cornwaii Street, Kowioon-Tong Kowloon. H o n g K o n g Italy Rome Mission Via C i m o n e 95 00141 Rome, Italy

N e w York New York Mission T w o Lincoln Sguare N e w York, New York 10023 Philippines Manila Mission Commercial Center. P.O Box 801 Makati. Metro Manila 3 1 1 7 Philippines Samoa A p i a Mission P.O. Box 197 Apia, Western Samoa Spain M a d r i d Mission Caiie San Teimo 2 6 M a d r i d 16, Spain

Missionary Department 50 East North Temple, 12th Floor Salt Lake City, Utah 84150

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