Prove

"Prove" can mean two things. First, to test or try something or someone. Second, to experience, to be exposed to or to sample.

Abraham 3:25

And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.

Words mean different things to different people. When I read the scripture from the Book of Abraham I am transported right back to my days in school. It was there I learned a lot more than was in the books. I learned that school was a weeding out process to find out who is smart and who isn't. If you messed up on a test, you just plain messed up. There was no going back to try again. The test day was the end day. You had had your chance to "prove" yourself.

I learned that we were often competing for rewards. There were not enough rewards for everyone. It was a game of winners and losers.

And perhaps what I disliked the most was that the amount of material to learn was immense and it wasn't often clear what of all that material was the most important. I stressed over every test. And I was smart. I was a good student. I loved and still do love learning but I have no desire whatsoever to take a class again. 

So I read Abraham 3:25 and my stress levels rise. This is the portrayal of God as "a Stern schoolmaster. He set standards, we take the test, and a few of us pass. Only occasional A's are handed out, while for most of us, slack and mediocre as we are, a perpetual detention is our destiny." Givens  The Christ Who Heals p. 107

This is contrary to what I know to be the character of God. Look at these scriptures:

2nd Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Isaiah 49:16

Behold, I have graven the upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

Hebrews 13:5

. . . for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

CS Lewis quote: 

"Make no mistake, if you let me, I will make you perfect... Whatever it costs me. I will never rest, nor let you rest, until you are literally perfect." The Joyful Christian p. 77-78

John 12:32

And I . . . will draw all men unto me.

2nd Nephi 26:24

He layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him; wherefore, he commanded none that they shall not partake of his salvation.

This is not the stern schoolmaster. This is the "patient master teacher; he is the loving tutor, who, devoted to his students, remains with us, staying after class for extra lessons, giving us individualized attention, practicing sums again and again, late into the night, for as long as it takes - until we master the material." (Givens again)

So I must reinterpret the Abraham scripture. Maybe the word prove could mean "check and see how they are doing, to see if they are experiencing what was hoped for." The master teacher doesn't know what lesson we need next until he knows where we are.

We had a high counselor recently give a talk in sacrament meeting about the word "prove".  His analogy is just perfect!  

"I’m in the auto industry, my company has a Proving Ground in Chelsea, Michigan.
The purpose of the proving ground is to run cars around it, with it’s varying road conditions.

Up and down hills.
Around curves.
Over broken pavement.
On dirt roads,
Through snow, mud, and ice.

After some time going around the track, the car is examined to see what broke. That part is strengthened and the car is sent out again.

The process is continued until the car has been proven to meet the requirements for the car’s purpose.

Likewise, we navigate our proving ground on earth.

The purpose of this earthly proven ground is to help us fix those parts of us that “break” when we sin, when we fall short, when we don’t live up to the covenant.

“And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”

Pay close attention to the language here...
I give unto men “weakness” (not weaknesses).

What is this weakness?
We are of the earth, earthly, (not celestial) — we are all mortal, and we all have this weakness. We act “mortally” in a mortal world, when we’re trying to become Celestial.

The Proving Ground is intended to enact the proving process so we become stronger, more celestial.

Final thought: 

My choice is to not be deterred from believing that the Lord is the kind and loving Master Teacher. I can trust that He will be with me always and help me fulfill my divine potential. He knows me. He knows my heart. He knows my goodness and my desires. He will bring me home - as He will do for each of us who wants to - no matter how long that takes.