Security

Recently, a group of scientists presented a paper on a way to obfuscate computer programs. This will be a major breakthrough in security if it holds up under the attacks that will be made in testing it. My dad once me that while computers are powerful, much of a computer's resources are taken up by security. I have since thought that the same applies to our lives. So much of our time and efforts are spent protecting ourselves. We don’t want to look bad in front of others. We want to be safe when making a purchase online. And of course, all of the time we are pulled and tempted to do things that are wrong. Initially, it appears that life would be wonderful if all of these threats were removed. Progress would be unhindered. But this is an incorrect assumption. For a moment, imagine that all threats in our lives have been removed. What is the motivation for the aforementioned group of scientists to create a new security schema? What is the motivation for me to choose to do good things? There is no motivation without opposition and threats to my security. Opposition is required for us to advance as a society and to become the people that God wants us to be as individuals (see 2 Nephi 2:11).