pre mortal existence

[spiritseeker]

I have a quick question. In our pre mortal existence did we choose the problems and trials that we would go through? Or is it random...? A friend asked me and I wasn't sure what the answer was.

[bmy-]

There's no official stance to my knowledge. My opinion? No.

I don't see any reason to make it complex Nor do I see a way to let us choose our own trials without getting into the sticky area of free will.

[Justice]

I can't help but think of the scripture that says there is no temptation but what is common to man.

I know you didn't ask about temptations, but about trials. However, I happen to think the greatest trial(s) each of us will face will be to overcome sin in some form. We each struggle with different things. What is easy for one person isn't quite so easy for another.

We chose to come to this life of mortality. We chose to follow Jehova. We believed that by becoming mortal and being redeemed from the death that would result from our sin was the only way we could become like Father in Heaven (gain a physical body and gain the knowledge of good and evil). It also included learning to chose the good. But, how in-depth we knew about our trials and temptations I don't know. I think in some cases we agreed (maybe chose is a better word) to some things, but maybe not every detail.

[deseretgov]

I think that some trials are inherent to certain choices we made in the pre mortal life. Such as those that actually cast Lucifer and his followers out of heaven are those with mental disabilities.

But I don't really think we chose everything. We know that God will not allow us to experience a trial that we cannot handle.

But basically I think that the whole situation is so complex that we can't say it is one way for certain. I'm just glad Heavenly Father can handle all the infinate variables.

[Guest tomk]

I have a quick question. In our pre mortal existence did we choose the problems and trials that we would go through? Or is it random...? A friend asked me and I wasn't sure what the answer was.

Yes we did.

The reason is, through our faith in Christ, and through the power of His Atonement, all that we endure down here can be used to teach us, and all inequities will be made right, or healed, completely.

Our task then becomes to submit and trust Him in all things.

Easily said, I know.

Tom

[Connie]

I have a quick question. In our pre mortal existence did we choose the problems and trials that we would go through? Or is it random...? A friend asked me and I wasn't sure what the answer was.

Well, we chose to come down to this mortal experience and we knew there would be trials and problems, so in a sense we did chose them. Whether we chose the specific ones we would have to go through, i don't know.

[lestertheemt]

I would have to agree w/ Connie. We knew what awaited us here in this world. We knew the hurt and the pain that would come. Because we knew what it was like being in the presence of our Heavenly Father (I believe) we were willing to accept the hurt/pain/trial so that we could come back to Him.

[boyando]

I have a quick question. In our pre mortal existence did we choose the problems and trials that we would go through? Or is it random...? A friend asked me and I wasn't sure what the answer was.

A few years back I heard a theory that before we came to this earth, we sat with our Father in Heaven and learned of all the good and bad things that would happen to us, in detail. I can not find any scripture or conference talk to support such a theory.

I think that a all knowing Father in Heaven, who knows all, would give us trials for our greater good. He would only give us good things.

So my conclusion is; His plan is perfect and he wouldn't leave out any details.

Did we choose our trials and problems? I would say no, only because we would not have had sufficient knowledge of what it means to have a body to make correct choices of our own challenges.

I do believe that we talked to our Heavenly Father about these trials, if only because of the way a calling is given in the Church. You are called into the Bishops office and presented with information about a new calling, and then when you have enough information, You give it a yes or no (yes is best).

A imperfect theory I know, but I think it was something like that.

boyando

[spiritseeker]

Thank you all for your responses. Blessings to all!!!

[Guest JHM-in-Bountiful]

Read the book " Trailing clouds of Glory " by Harold A. Widdison, PH.D. He is a church member and the book gives several accounts of people deciding what to experience in this lifetime.

there are also other book on the subject wrriten by lds authors.

[Hemidakota]

I have a quick question. In our pre mortal existence did we choose the problems and trials that we would go through? Or is it random...? A friend asked me and I wasn't sure what the answer was.

It may vary on your previous state and your obedience to GOD's plan. For me, I was told to come down at this time and where. If I had a choice, it would have been the millennium.

If I may impose, do you have a patriarchal blessing?

[rameumptom]

For the things we were foreordained to accomplish, yes, we would have chosen such. For everything else, it is often just what we receive as natural consequences for ours or others' choices.

If all were established prior to this life, there wouldn't be much of an agency/free will issue, would there?

[Misshalfway]

I wonder sometimes if we "signed up" for the trials we go thru. Sometimes I hear romantic ideas in the church that seem to promote this idea, but who really knows. I mean maybe some of our burdens were agreed upon before. I tend to think that this might be true in some cases. But my experience here in earth life tells me that God gives us what we need to grow, when we need it the most and since HE is waiting for us to choose, I suppose certain trials might just be created in the moment for us as we progress. I mean, I don't suppose Laban signed up to lose his head. God did give him three chances before that undesirable outcome. Perhaps it was the only thing that would help Laban learn.

[Guest Alana]

My impression (as in, I don't know how I go this idea, can't quote any general conferences) is that we were given an idea of what we might go through, but not specifically. I dont' think it was like 'so you'll be born to an atheist family and be molested by an uncle then your family will get killed by a drunk driver....' Maybe we would know if we were being born in the covenant or not. Maybe those who would need to fight hard to just survive would be given an inkling, along with those whose time on earth would be short. I don't think details though, or at least a lot of them. I also have an feeling that if we were willing to come to this Earth and follow the right plan, we would almost all be willing to accept the hardest of circumstances to come into.

[rameumptom]

With the exception of things we are foreordained to do, I do not think there is a specific plan for us. I believe trials come upon all people, and they will be blessed according to how they deal with those trials.

A person born in 14th century South America would not have had the chance to hear about the gospel of Jesus Christ, temples, prophets, or priesthood. Yet, he would still have the light of Christ to guide and teach him. Much of his learning and opportunities would await the spirit world. But much of what he will accept in the spirit world is based upon the choices he made in this life. If he ignored, neglected, or rejected the light of Christ in his life, chances are he would reject the greater light when offered it in the spirit world.

Sometimes trials just happen. I don't think God causes as many things as we suppose. He just allows many things to occur.

Did Jehovah cause the trials that fell upon Job? Or did he just allow them to occur? I personally believe the second theory. God was able to use the events to His purpose. Otherwise, at the wave of his hand, God could sweep away all trials and hardships from our lives. But he doesn't, because we need whatever we go through, in order to exalt us. We cannot become saviors of mankind under the Savior of mankind, if we do not even begin to walk in his footsteps. And according to Elder Holland, those were very lonely and difficult steps to take.

[Hemidakota]

As HE allowed trials and hardship fall upon Joseph Smith. It was for his learning and experiences that was required for his salvation [D&C 122].

Edited April 28, 2009 by Hemidakota