One of the questions I am frequently asked is: "If God really does love us, why does He let bad things happen to good people?" As I watched this video, I began to understand it a little more.
Everyone will have trials in this life, that comes from living in an imperfect world. Brittany has been given a talent, as the Lord talks about in the New Testament. He gave ten to one, five to another, and one talent to a third. They were able to do what they wanted with the talent, but they were to be held accountable for the talent.
Brittany has been given a talent in her love of others, in her artistic skills and her willingness to give, but I also think another talent she has been given is her sickness. Because Brittany is sick, she is blessed with a more acute awareness of the trials of others. Her heart has been changed and she has chosen to reach out and help others. She knows what it's like, as the Savior does, and she is able to give comfort to others. Why did this "bad" thing happen to Brittany? I can't be sure, but I know that she is blessing hundreds of people through her example of love and service.
Sometimes bad things happen to good people because the Lord knows that those people are strong. He knows that their example through their trial will touch the lives of the children of men and that many will be grow from her example and seek to make the world a better place.
In Alma 14 the missionary companionship of Alma and Amulek are forced to watch their people burn.
"10 And when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who were consuming in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the apower of God which is in us, and save them from the flames.
11 But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in aglory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the bjudgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the cblood of the dinnocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day."
The Lord is not going to take away our agency, and He is not going to take away the agency of those who choose to do bad. Of course He does not want to see us suffer, but when we understand the Plan of Happiness we know that all will be made right. Everyone will be held accountable and this life is just a temporary state.
As we develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we will not be relieved of our trials. In fact, Satan will probably work extra hard on us to keep us from turning to the Savior. The wonderful thing is that as we do develop faith, we are able to clearly see that there is a plan. The Lord is aware of us and if we turn to Him, we will be strengthened through our trials and we will grow closer to Him.
If you would like to learn more about the Plan of Happiness, or you know someone who would like to learn more, please check out http://mormon.org/plan-of-happiness/
I know the Lord loves us. Sometimes bad things happen, but it's not because God doesn't care. If we turn to Him through the bad times we will be strengthened and we can know for a surety that He is indeed there. I know this to be true. I am so grateful for Brittany and her sweet example to the world that though she has been dealt a difficult talent, she can multiply it and allow it bless all the world.
