Why do bad things happen?

Our life on Earth is just a small part of God’s plan for the happiness and eternal salvation of us, His children.  He wants us to be happy and to succeed, but He will never force us to do so.  We have been given agency, or the ability to choose, how to live our lives.  This is one of the greatest gifts God has given us.  Unfortunately, that also means that bad things might happen to us because of others’ poor choices.  That doesn’t mean God doesn’t love us, though.  We are held accountable for our actions and expected to repent when we do something wrong.  God sent His Son to perform the great atonement so that we can be forgiven and live with Him and our families again after we die.

Related Articles and Links:

Why do bad things happen to good people?
Our Life On Earth
Agency in the Eternities
What Do Mormons Believe? – Choices
Mormon.org – Freedom to Choose
Mormon.org – God’s Plan of Happiness