Bad Things Happen...

It's an age-old question: Why do bad things happen to good people?

I love how easy that question is to answer when one becomes familiar with The Book of Mormon. That question is answered in so many different ways. And I have felt impressed to emphasize the various reasons to my children as often as the scriptures allow.

Our family is reading in the book of Alma currently. And our 10-year old son made a profound point the other morning. His heart and mind were enlightened as he commented that bad things happen to good people, at times, because God wants more of his children to come back to Him.

It was an inspired observation. Let me provide a little context.

There was a group of people (the Lamanites), deceived and hardened by the wicked traditions of their fathers, that had an unfounded and blinded hatred for another group (the Nephites). Through love and service, a portion of the Lamanites came to the knowledge of God and His plan for His children. They repented of their sins and were converted to the Lord. And the scriptures teach us that "they buried their weapons of war, for peace."

That portion of the Lamanites (which included the king) changed their ways, changed their hearts, and even changed their names. The remaining Lamanites wanted nothing to do with this new life and did not want the king to remain in leadership. So they came out in open rebellion and civil war. And this is what we learn:

Now when the people saw that they were coming against them they went out to meet them, and prostrated themselves before them to the earth, and began to call upon the name of the Lord; and thus they were in this attitude when the Lamanites began to fall upon them, and began to slay them with the sword. And thus without meeting any resistance, they did slay a thousand and five of them; and we know that they are blessed, for they have gone to dwell with their God. Now when the Lamanites saw that their brethren would not flee from the sword, neither would they turn aside to the right or to the left, but that they would lie down and perish, and praised God even in the very act of perishing by the sword -- Now when the Lamanites saw this they did forbear from slaying them; and there were many whose hearts had swollen in them for those of their brethren who had fallen under the sword, for they repented of the things which they had done.

And it came to pass that they threw down their weapons of war, and they would not take them again, for they were stung for the murders which they had committed; and they came down even as their brethren, relying upon the mercies of those whose arms were lifted to slay them. And it came to pass that the people of God were joined that day by more than the number who had been slain; and those who had been slain were righteous people, therefore we have no reason to doubt but what they were saved. And there was not a wicked man slain among them; but there were more than a thousand brought to the knowledge of the truth; thus we see that the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people. (Alma 24:21-27)

It's true. Sometimes, bad things happen to good people because God loves all his children...and wants as many as possible to come back to Him.

My Top 10 List

A brief interruption to the political, philosophical, and religious commentary that usually makes its way to this blog.

I completed my Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation last week. It was about 3 years in the making. Every ounce of free time that I've had over the past 3 years has been devoted to studying and stressing over the next exam. But it's done and I have earned back a significant amount of time.

With this new-found freedom, I have recommitted to personal growth and health. And I created a "Top 10 List" of sorts regarding my renewed healthy lifestyle. Here it is (in order):

1) Pray regularly and read scriptures (meditate/reduce stress).
2) Walk/jog 6 days a week for 30-60 minutes (no formal exercise on Sunday).
3) Smile - be happy!
4) Drink lots of water.
5) Eat less but eat 5 times a day - always a protein and a carb.
6) Minimal sugar and no greasy foods for 6 days each week (generally, Saturday will be my "day off").
7) Try yoga?!?
8) Two walks around the office and park as far away as possible.
9) When in doubt, eat salmon and salad!
10) Fiber, sunlight, and vitamin C.

There you have it. This list is not quite as thought-provoking as Benjamin Franklin's 13 virtues...but it will help me focus on a more healthy lifestyle. Consider it yet, another perspective.