Throughout the chapter he maintains that the purpose of man's existence is for pleasure, but of course, holds that this pleasure is that of the highest order, and not merely sensual pleasure. Finally, applying the principles he lays down to the human race, its existence, the purpose of that existence, and the means through which the end is to be obtained--he adopts the following formula: The object of nature is function [i. e., life]. The object of man is happiness. The object of society is effort. Now, with very slight modifications, this formula may be made to express the doctrine of Lehi in the Book of Mormon, as representing the divine economy respecting man: Earth-life became essential to the progress of intelligences. Adam fell that man's earth-life might be realized. The purpose of man's existence is that he might have joy. The purpose of the gospel is to bring to pass that joy. In condensed form it may be made to stand as follows: The object of God in man's earth-life is progress. The object of man's existence is joy. The object of the gospel and the church is effort. A formula which so closely resembles this philosopher's--and his philosophy is that of many other advanced modern thinkers--that it justifies me in making the claim that the trend of the best modern thought on these lines is coming into harmony with the truths stated in the Book of Mormon. VIII. _The Agency of Man._ Respecting the "free agency" of man the Book of Mormon is quite pronounced as to the fact of it, as the following quotations attest: I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, according to their wills; whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction. [44] Again, The Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to chose liberty and eternal life, through the great mediation of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself. [45] The doctrine of the free agency of man could scarcely be more strongly set forth than it is in these passages.