“We all have heard of people who kill themselves or their children or others so that they can go to Heaven – specifically because of the belief that Heaven really is more glorious than we can comprehend. Such a justification was behind the torture of the Inquisition – coercing people into “confessions” to cleanse their souls and allow them to be accepted into Heaven.’

Forcing someone into the next life cannot possible have a positive reward attached to it. That said, I think this is a hard question to answer. We always heard that oft spoke phrase, “he/she is in a better place.” Yet, we are commanded (I guess) to find and obtain joy in THIS life.

We really know so little about the next life, it is hard to have a strong desire to leave this one, which we are familiar with. I suppose it is akin to leaving the pre-mortal life for this one as well.

That is a much more difficult question, however, for religion in general. Without an underlying purpose for this life that includes negative repercussions in a future life for “incorrect” actions in this life, what keeps someone from intentionally leaving this life in order to get to the next one? Conversely, does a belief in a better life to come diminish the tenacity with which we cling to this one? If so, is that a good or bad thing relative to the supposed purpose of this life to learn and grow?

We all have heard of people who kill themselves or their children or others so that they can go to Heaven – specifically because of the belief that Heaven really is more glorious than we can comprehend. Such a justification was behind the torture of the Inquisition – coercing people into “confessions” to cleanse their souls and allow them to be accepted into Heaven.

This really is a two-edged sword, but I personally believe that we can’t blame the religious construct for someone’s actions relative to life and death – since many others share that same construct and make radically different decisions. Ultimately, it is the individual, not the theology, that drives actions, imo. That’s why I support people in their efforts to find religious philosophies that help them be constructive and happy and positive and growing in this life.

I would propose a rather postmodern bent to the concept of blessing/cursing. If we view blessings as primarily (and often exclusively) as a “state of mind,” then it allows us a way out of this conundrum. When we receive the blessings of a life lived longer than expected (as I have on several occasions when I really should have seen my “final transfer” on the “transfer board” in the sky), the blessing is not the longer life itself but the perception that longer life is a blessing. This fits into the general program because the perception of increased longevity is really the key element to a person’s discipleship. Whether it is indeed or not is a moot point. And God knows it. Pres. Hinckley so noted that our actions are largely guided by our perceptions; therefore, it would reasonably follow that Heavenly Father would primarily operate through them. Similarly , Elder Maxwell noted that when individuals call certain events faith-promoting, these events are “symptoms” of faith, not generators of it. Interesting indeed…are these blessings of increased “spiritual sight” rather than actual substance?

To me, this approach helps us out of many difficult questions as to whether the righteous are blessed with wealth, life, or anything else. It helps account for why those considered “wicked” might still enjoy the so-called “blessings” of righteousness. To me, the wicked have not received the real blessings, for they have not come closer to God/received the proper mindset from the things/”blessings” they receive. In the end, because they have not sought after this mindset, they will realize that their blessings were simply quirks of a fallen world that happened to work in their favor.

“Let God decide whether or not my appointed time has come; in the meantime, I will focus on sticking around as long as possible and continuing to learn in this stage of life.”

I agree with the later part of your statement, because I don’t think that God decides to have a drunk driver make a bad choice which leads to a death of an innocent person. In fact, I tend more toward Pres. Kimball’s point that He permits more than He directs.

I was really uncomfortable with this whole line of reasoning. Given that when I helped him move some furniture two years ago he could hardly go up and down the stairs without gasping for breath (he was at least 60-80 pounds overweight), I think that the 90% arterial blockage was more likely the cause of his death than a calling to the other side.

We try so hard to find answers to every question. I think we need to (1) take some personal responsibility (yes, I’m trying to lose weight) and (2) be willing to say, “I don’t know” which is part of the Kimball quote above.

I personally think the question of whether or not we are better off dead is a false dichotomy – since we believe we are never “dead” but always alive. I prefer to focus on living each stage of life as fully as possible – to try to learn as much from each stage as is possible, which includes not shortening any stage prematurely through our own choices. Let God decide whether or not my appointed time has come; in the meantime, I will focus on sticking around as long as possible and continuing to learn in this stage of life.

In summary, while I have no problem with the question in theory, I would prefer to ignore the question in practical reality. Too many people have taken it and used it as a justification for abominable individual and societal actions, so I’d prefer it not become a widely discussed question in general – or, at the very least, be answered in general with a resounding, “NO!” I might agree with Stephen that often the answer is, “Yes,” but I believe that should be an individual answer – not a collective understanding.

Nicely thought, well written, I hope this draws the attention it deserves.