Topic: Probation:  

Genesis 3:22-23 > Alma 12:23-24 > Alma 12:31 > 2 Nephi 2:21 > Job 1:12 > Job 2:6 > Job 7:1, 17-19 > Job 36:11-12 > Job 38:3 > Exodus 20:20 > 1 Nephi 10:21 > Job 23:10-12 > The Acts 14:22 > Doctrine and Covenants 58:2 > John 8:51 > 2 Corinthians 8:2

A probationary state is a time of trial, testing, and proving of one’s willingness to live by the law; we might also say it is a test of one’s character or work ethic. This is exactly what our time on earth is. Why is this earth life a probationary time? The scriptures are very clear on the subject of probation. In Genesis chapter 3 verses 22 and 23, we read God’s statement concerning Adam and Eve after they partook of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and their expulsion from the garden. God said, “And now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever:” What was God’s fear in not wanting Adam and Eve to partake of the tree? We read the answer to this question in the Book of Mormon, Alma chapter 12 verses 23 and 24; Alma teaches us that if Adam and Eve had partaken of the fruit of the Tree of Life, then there would have been no death. The Word of God would have been voided, which Word He stated saying that if they ate of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil then they would surely die. In verse 24, we also learn that because death came upon all mankind that there was a time granted unto men to repent, the time before death. Thus, this earth life became a probationary time. It became a time where man would suffer trials and testing and prove himself willing to return to the presence of God.

In Alma chapter 12 verse 31, we continue to learn that God granted unto man their agency, or an ability to choose according to their own will. Agency is a critical ingredient during a time of probation. If I am forced to comply with a certain standard and not given an opportunity to choose between a variety of choices, then my willingness to live by the law, my character and work ethic can never be tested. It is not God, who is being tested, nor is He testing us to learn how we will do, but rather, since He knows all things, then it is us who are being tested, we need to know how we will do given the circumstances of our probation. I can stand up and say all day that I will do everything asked of me and do it correctly; but I truly do not know how I will act or how I will do until I am actually faced with trial and testing, until I am given the chance to choose. In 2 Nephi chapter 2 verse 21, we learn that God gave man this probationary time, which is a time to repent; or in other words, a time to change our carnal nature into a more Christ-like nature. He lengthened out the duration of our lives to give us ample time to learn and to make proper choices. So this earth life is a time of testing for us, a time to prove to ourselves that we will do all that God asks of us.

One of the great scripture stories of testing and trial is that of Job. In Job chapter 1 verse 12 and chapter 2 verse 6, we read that God allowed the devil, Satan, to test and to try Job up until the point of death; he was not allowed to take Job’s life. In his record Job asks in chapter 7 verse 1 and 17 through 19, “Is there not an appointed time for man upon earth?” Because of his sore afflictions, he simply wanted to die. He wondered why God would test him so severely, yet we know from the record that he never gave up his faith in God. Some believed as Elihu believed, as stated in Job chapter 36 verses 11 and 12 that the trials we pass through in life are a direct result of the evil of our lives. If this were the case, no one would sin, for as soon as they sinned evil judgments would come upon them; so in a sense, they would be forced into doing good if they didn’t want bad things to happen to them. What does the Lord expect from us? A simple answer can be found in His conversation with Job in chapter 38 verse 3; He says rise up and be a man and take care of all that I will demand of you and answer the questions I will ask of you. As I interpret this, God is saying, rise to the occasion and be faithful!

Moses teaches in Exodus chapter 20 verse 20 that God sent us here to prove us; so what happens if we fail this probationary time? If I work for someone and continually fail to meet expectations, then I will be terminated as an employee. Nephi teaches in 1 Nephi chapter 10 verse 21 that we will be cast off forever. What happens if I pass? Job says in Job chapter 23 verses 10 through 12, “I shall come forth as gold”!  Paul teaches in The Acts chapter 14 verse 22 that we must pass through much tribulation, implying that if we do so successfully, we will enter the kingdom of God. In the Doctrine and Covenants section 58 verse 2, the Lord teaches, “Blessed is he that keepeth my commandments…the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven”. Finally, in John chapter 8 verse 51, the Lord is quoted as saying, “If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death”, meaning that if we pass through this probationary time well, we will not die a spiritual death.

Paul teaches in 2 Corinthians chapter 8 verse 2 that from the great trials of life comes the abundance of joy and from poverty, the richness of our liberty. Think about it, if we knew no pain in life, would we know joy? Can we appreciate sweet if we never tasted the bitter? This time of probation is here to bless us. It is according to God’s plan that we pass through the bitter that we may know the sweet. Think, Christ passed through the depths of hell to save us from sin; should we expect to pass through life with no pain, no suffering and no trials if we desire to live with God and Christ someday and to be like them?