three parts

President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve: “There are three parts to the plan. You are in the second or the middle part, the one in which you will be tested by temptation, by trials, perhaps by tragedy...Remember this! The line ‘And they all lived happily ever after’ is never written into the second act [of a play]. That line belongs in the third act, when the mysteries are solved and everything is put right...Until you have a broad perspective of the eternal nature of [the plan], you won’t make much sense out of the inequities in life. Some are born with so little and others with so much. Some are born in poverty, with handicaps, with pain, with suffering. Some experience premature death, even innocent children. There are the brutal, unforgiving forces of nature and the brutality of man to man. We have seen a lot of that recently. Do not suppose that God willfully causes that which, for His own purposes, he permits. When you know the plan and the purpose of it all, even these things will manifest a loving Father in Heaven” (The Play and the Plan [satellite broadcast, 7 May 1995], 1–2).

When we chose to follow Jesus' plan as Spirits in our Pre-Earth life, we kept our first estate. That act was completed, when we chose to be born or accepted our second estate. The big question of Earth life is will we be able to remain true or continue to follow Jesus. I like President Packer's analogy of a three act play. Will I make it to happily ever after?

This is not to say that we cannot find happiness in this life. President Hinckley often reminded us to be optimistic towards the future. However, this second act, Earth life, is designed to test us--are we really capable of remaining true to our promise to follow Jesus plan of happiness?

With a knowledge of the plan of salvation or the plan of happiness, I have a reason to make righteous decisions. I can understand tests and trials, which in turn helps me find joy in mortality. Since I have a testimony of the plan, preparing for eternal life is a joy. Joyfully, I accept Jesus Christ role in the plan of happiness by choosing to accept His gift of Atonement. My testimony of these things has helped me accept an learn from my life's events. I am stronger because of the challenges I have faced and conquered.