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(3/16/98)
"During our mortal schooling in submissiveness, we will see the visible
crosses that some carry, but other crosses will go unseen. A few individuals may
appear to have no trials at all, which, if it were so, would be a trial in
itself. Indeed, if, as do trees, our souls had rings to measure the years of
greatest personal growth, the wide rings would likely reflect the years of
greatest moisture — but from tears, not rainfall." — Neal A. Maxwell,
"We Will Prove Them Herewith," p. 7
(3/17/98)
"There are times when you simply have to righteously hang on and outlast
the devil until his depressive spirit leaves you. As the Lord told the Prophet
Joseph Smith: "Thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small
moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high" (D&C 121:7-8)." —
"Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson," p. 396
(3/18/98)
"Our heavenly Father has designed that His Spirit should dwell in us to
comfort and cheer us in our onward march through life, in times of adversity, to
give us strength and courage to bear up faithfully under all trials that may be
brought upon us, that we may maintain our integrity to the end." — George
F. Richards, "Conference Report," October 1906, p. 68
(3/19/98)
"When you face adversity, you can be led to ask many questions. Some serve
a useful purpose; others do not. To ask, Why does this have to happen to me? Why
do I have to suffer this, now? What have I done to cause this? will lead you
into blind alleys. It really does no good to ask questions that reflect
opposition to the will of God. Rather ask, What am I to do? What am I to learn
from this experience? What am I to change? Whom am I to help? How can I remember
my many blessings in times of trial? Willing sacrifice of deeply held personal
desires in favor of the will of God is very hard to do. Yet, when you pray with
real conviction, 'Please let me know Thy will' and 'May Thy will be done,' you
are in the strongest position to receive the maximum help from your loving
Father." — Richard G. Scott, "Trust
in the Lord," General Conference, October 1995
(3/20/98)
"A worthwhile attitude for all of us could well be, 'Help us, O Lord, to
remember thy love for us and help us to be fortified by Thy strength when our
eyes are blurred with tears of sorrow and our vision is limited.' It is
expedient for all of us, particularly those who may be weighed down by grief
because of acts of misconduct or misfortune, to recall that even the Prophet
Joseph Smith had hours of despair because of his very trying experiences in the
Liberty Jail. Perhaps he too was entitled to question, 'What did I do wrong?
What have I done to displease Thee, O Lord? Where have I failed? Why are the
answers to my prayers and pleas withheld?' In response to the feelings of his
heart and mind he cried out: 'O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion
that covereth thy hiding place?' (D&C
121:1.) The reassuring response came: 'My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine
adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou
endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy
foes.' (D&C 121:7-8.)"
— Marvin J. Ashton, "If
Thou Endure It Well," General Conference, October 1984
(7/20/99)
"Patience is always involved in the spiritual chemistry of life—not only
when we try to turn trials and tribulations, the carbon dioxide, as it were,
into joy and growth, but it also builds upon the seemingly ordinary experiences
to bring about happy, spiritual outcomes. (Neither patience nor photosynthesis
is a conspicuous process.)" — Neal A. Maxwell, "Notwithstanding My
Weakness," p. 64
(7/21/99)
"Let us remember — trials are an evidence of a Father's love. They are
given as a blessing to his children. They are given as opportunities for growth.
Now, how do we approach them? How do we overcome them? How are we magnified by
them? There seems to be a reason why we lose our composure in adversity-why we
think we can no longer cope with what we're faced with here in this life. There
is a reason why we give up, why we 'fall apart at the seams' so to speak. The
reason may be so simple that we lose sight of it. Could it be it's because we
begin to lose contact with our greatest source of strength— our Father in
heaven? He is the key to our enjoying sweetness in adversity-in gaining strength
from our trials— he and he alone." — H. Burke Peterson, Conference,
Oct. 1973
(7/22/99)
"Why does God, if He truly loves his children, permit Satan to tempt us and
thereby jeopardize our chances to gain the experiences of mortality and return
back to enjoy eternal life in His presence? The answer is given by a great
prophet-teacher: 'Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for
himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was
enticed by the one [which is evil] or the other [which is good]' (2 Nephi 2:16). You think about
that for a moment. If there were no opposition to good, would there be any
chance to exercise your agency or right to choose? To deny you that privilege
would be to deny you the opportunity to grow in knowledge, experience, and
power. God has given laws with penalties affixed so that man might be made
afraid of sin and guided into paths of truth and duty (see Alma 42:20)." — "The Teachings of Harold B. Lee"
"Even though it is true that there must be an 'opposition in all things' [2 Nephi 2:11], none of us has the personal obligation to provide that opposition." — Neal A. Maxwell, "All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience," p. 108
"There will be trials and disappointments to our young people, but I am convinced that any person who has real faith in God and a testimony of this work can endure anything and still keep his spirit sweet. We want our young people prepared so they can endure anything." — "The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson," p. 205
Adversity brings knowledge, and knowledge wisdom. - Welsh proverb
"We have a promise of divine assistance in times of need. All of us face times in our lives when we need heavenly help in a special and urgent way. We all have moments when we are overwhelmed by circumstances or confused by the counsel we get from others, and we feel a great need to receive spiritual guidance, a great need to find the right path and do the right thing. In the scriptural preface to this latter-day dispensation, the Lord promised that if we would be humble in such times of need and turn to him for aid, we would 'be made strong, and [be] blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time' (D&C 1:28). That help is ours if we will but seek it, trust in it, and follow what King Benjamin, in the Book of Mormon, called 'the enticings of the Holy Spirit' (Mosiah 3:19). Perhaps no promise in life is more reassuring than that promise of divine assistance and spiritual guidance in times of need. It is a gift freely given from heaven, a gift that we need from our earliest youth through the very latest days of our lives." — "The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter," p. 59
"In speaking of adversity, could I just tell you now that it is one of those things that is going to happen in your life and in my life. We are all going to pass through adversity. It is a requirement. ...Now, when the trials come, what should we do? First of all, we must resist murmuring. We must not criticize or rise up against our Heavenly Father. ...We should be on our knees constantly so that we can receive from our Heavenly Father the assurance that this is part of our trial. Then we should seek to recognize our need to be tutored. We do not know what Heavenly Father has in store for us. ...I pray, brothers and sisters, that when the adversities come--and, as I have mentioned, they will come--we might respond to our Father in Heaven, saying, 'I am not sure why I am having this adversity at this time or at this intensity. I know I will have something to learn. Help me to endure. Just help me to endure this trial that I have.' Then maybe, like the Savior, we will say: 'Not my will, but thine'." — Harold G. Hillam, BYU Devotional Address, June 25, 1996
(7/23/99)
"In hard times we have a chance to reevaluate and reorder our priorities in
life. We learn what is most important to us. The way is open to strengthen faith
and testimony." — James E. Faust, "Reach Up
For The Light," p. 80
(7/24/99)
"In relation to events that will yet take place, the kind of trials,
troubles, and sufferings which we shall have t o cope with, it is to me a matter
of very little moment; these things are in the hands of God, he dictates the
affairs of the human family, and directs and controls our affairs; and the great
thing that we, as a people, have to do is to seek after and cleave unto our God,
to be in close affinity with him, and to seek for his guidance, and his blessing
and Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in the right path. Then it matters not what
it is nor who it is that we have to contend with, God will give us strength
according to our day." — John Taylor, "Journal
of Discourses," 18:282
(11/8/00)
"A life without problems or limitations or challenges -- life without
'opposition in all things,' as Lehi phrased it -- would be, paradoxically but in
very fact, be less rewarding and ennobling than one which confronts, even
frequently confronts, difficulty and disappointment and sorrow. As beloved Eve
said, were it not for the difficulties faced in a fallen world, neither she nor
Adam nor any of the rest of us ever would have known 'the joy of our redemption,
and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.'" — Jeffrey R. Holland, "The
Peaceable Things of the Kingdom," General Conference, October 1996
(11/9/00)
"The rod of iron represents the word of God, that leads us to the love of
God (see 1 Nephi 11:25).
You must hold firmly to the rod of iron through the mists and darknesses, the
hardships and trials of life. If you relax your grip and slip from the path, the
iron rod might become lost in the darkness for a time until you repent and
regain your grasp of it." — Joseph B.
Wirthlin, "Running
Your Marathon," General Conference, October 1989
(11/10/00)
"Well, Christ's love can be tough. What is he trying to do with us? In his
best-seller, The Road Less Traveled (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1978), Dr. M.
Scott Peck said that no matter how much we may pussyfoot around it, all who ask
the question 'What is God's love leading to?' come to a single terrifying
conclusion: God wants us to become like himself. We are being prepared for
godhood, and it hurts; it hurts abominably, but there is peace." — John K. Carmack, "Upheld
by the Prayers of the Church," General Conference, April 1984
(11/11/00)
"We may foolishly bring unhappiness and trouble, even suffering upon
ourselves. These are not always to be regarded as penalties imposed by a
displeased Creator. They are part of the lessons of life, part of the test. Some
are tested by poor health, some by a body that is deformed or homely. Others are
tested by handsome and healthy bodies; some by the passion of youth; others by
the erosions of age. Some suffer disappointment in marriage, family problems;
others live in poverty and obscurity. Some (perhaps this is the hardest test)
find ease and luxury. All are part of the test, and there is more equality in
this testing than sometimes we suspect." — Boyd
K. Packer, "The
Choice," General Conference, October 1980
(11/12/00)
"No one wants adversity. Trials, disappointments, sadness, and heartache
come to us from two basically different sources. Those who transgress the laws
of God will always have those challenges. The other reason for adversity is to
accomplish the Lord's own purposes in our life that we may receive the
refinement that comes from testing. It is vitally important for each of us to
identify from which of these two sources come our trials and challenges, for the
corrective action is very different." — Richard
G. Scott, "Trust
in the Lord," General Conference, October 1995
(11/13/00)
"Learn to accept adversity. No matter who you are or where you serve, you
are going to have some. But do not fear the winds of adversity. Remember, a kite
rises against the wind, rather than with it!" —
Jacob de Jager, "Service
and Happiness," General Conference, October 1993
(11/21/00)
"From my own experience with life’s hardships I have learned that faith
in God develops a personal love for Him which is reciprocated through his
blessings to us in times of need. To my daughter and to all others who are
meeting new or challenging times, I say: Do not fear the challenges of life, but
approach them patiently, with faith in God. He will reward your faith with power
not only to endure, but also to overcome hardships, disappointments, trials, and
struggles of daily living. Through diligently striving to live the law of God
and with faith in Him, we will not be diverted from our eternal course either by
the ways or the praise of the world." — Rex
D. Pinegar, "Faith—The
Force of Life," General Conference, October 1982
(11/22/00)
"Life is a school, a place for us to learn and grow. We, like Adam and Eve,
experience 'growing pains' through the sorrow and contamination of a lone and
dreary world. These experiences may include sin, but they also include mistakes,
disappointments, and the undeserved pain of adversity. The blessed news of the
gospel is that the Atonement of Jesus Christ can purify all the uncleanness and
sweeten all the bitterness we taste." — Bruce
C. Hafen, "Beauty
for Ashes: The Atonement of Jesus Christ," Ensign, Apr. 1990, p. 10
(11/23/00)
"One of the advantages of having lived a long time is that you can often
remember when you had it worse. I am grateful to have lived long enough to have
known some of the blessings of adversity. My memory goes back to the Great
Depression, when we had certain values burned into our souls. One of these
values was gratitude for what we had because we had so little. We had to learn
provident living in order to survive. Rather than create in us a spirit of envy
or anger for what we did not have, it developed in many a spirit of gratitude
for the meager, simple things with which we were blessed, like hot homemade
bread and oatmeal cereal and many other things." — James E. Faust, "Gratitude
As a Saving Principle," Ensign, Dec. 1996, p. 2
(11/24/00)
"At times when I feel overwhelmed or alone, unsure or defeated, I remember
that we have a Savior who understands and loves me. His atonement was personal;
it was for me. He knows. He understands." — Elaine
L. Jack, "Get
a Life," Ensign, July 1995, p. 53
(9/03/02)
"It is not on the pinnacle of success and ease where men and women grow
most. It is often down in the valley of heartache and disappointment and
reverses where men and women grow into strong characters." — Ezra Taft Benson, Stockholm Sweden Area
Conference, 1974
(9/04/02)
"Sadness, disappointment, and severe challenge are events in life, not life
itself. I do not minimize how hard some of these events are. They can extend
over a long period of time, but they should not be allowed to become the
confining center of everything you do. The Lord inspired Lehi to declare the
fundamental truth, 'Men are, that they might have joy.' That is a conditional
statement: 'they might have joy.' It is not conditional for the Lord. His intent
is that each of us finds joy. It will not be conditional for you as you obey the
commandments, have faith in the Master, and do the things that are necessary to
have joy here on earth." — Richard G.
Scott, "Finding
Joy in Life," General Conference, April 1996
(9/05/02)
"How we wish we could see into the future to know the outcome of every
troublesome decision and to arrive at the destination without having to make the
journey. Many of you pay your tithing, read the scriptures, keep yourselves
morally clean, and pray with real intent. And yet you may experience periods of
disappointment and heartache as you face the challenges of life. This is normal;
your faith is not misplaced. Remember the words of the hymn, 'Be still, my soul:
Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend / Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.'" — Stephen D. Nadauld, "Learning
to Be like the Lord," "Ensign," Dec. 1995, p. 11
(9/06/02)
"The key, however, is to boldly face disappointments and the pains that
accompany them. If you deny them or hide them from view, the chances are great
that you will become worn out and fail. If, on the other hand, you meet them in
a prayerful attitude asking for inner strength to overcome, the original
disappointment will turn into an element of great strength and a firm foundation
for further growth." — Jacob de
Jager, "Overcoming
Discouragement," "New Era," Mar. 1984, p. 7
(9/07/02)
"Unfortunately, the frustration, discouragement, and disappointments we
face in life are often brought about by our own lack of preparation. Then,
having no one to blame but ourselves, we add further injury by becoming critical
and unforgiving of ourselves. But if we can train ourselves to think ahead and
to prepare accordingly, we will eliminate much of the fear we face in life. We
will also find that positive results generally occur, and this significantly
influences our mood and outlook and gives reason for our hopes." — Jack H Goaslind, "Look
to the Future with Optimism," "Ensign," Apr. 1997, p. 27
(12/16/03)
When we take Jesus' yoke upon us, this admits us eventually to what Paul called
the "fellowship of [Christ's] sufferings" (Philip. 3:10). Whether
illness or aloneness, injustice or rejection, etc., our comparatively
small-scale sufferings, if we are meek, will sink into the very marrow of the
soul. We then better appreciate not only Jesus' sufferings for us, but also His
matchless character, moving us to greater adoration and even emulation." -
Neal A. Maxwell, "From
Whom All Blessings Flow," General Conference, April 1997
(1/8/04)
"Life isn't always easy. At some point in our journey we may feel much as
the pioneers did as they crossed Iowa--up to our knees in mud, forced to bury
some of our dreams along the way. We all face rocky ridges, with the wind in our
face and winter coming on too soon. Sometimes it seems as though there is no end
to the dust that stings our eyes and clouds our vision. Sharp edges of despair
and discouragement jut out of the terrain to slow our passage. Always, there is
a Devil's Gate, which will swing wide open to lure us in. Those who are wise and
faithful will steer a course as far from such temptation as possible, while
others--sometimes those who are nearest and dearest to us--succumb to the
attraction of ease, comfort, convenience, and rest. Occasionally we reach the
top of one summit in life, as the pioneers did, only to see more mountain peaks
ahead, higher and more challenging than the one we have just traversed. Tapping
unseen reservoirs of faith and endurance, we, as did our forebears, inch ever
forward toward that day when our voices can join with those of all pioneers who
have endured in faith, singing: 'All is well! All is well!' (Hymns, no.
30)." - M. Russell Ballard, "You
Have Nothing to Fear from the Journey," General Conference, April 1997
(2/2/04)
"Jesus taught that we pass through all these trials to refine us 'in the
furnace of affliction' (1 Ne.
20:10), and that we should not bear them unaided, but 'in [the] Redeemer's
name' (D&C 138:13). In
spite of our feeling, at times, that He has forgotten us, He testifies, 'Yea,
they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.... Behold, I have graven thee upon
the palms of my hands.' (1
Ne. 21:15-16.)" - Gene R. Cook, "Receiving
Divine Assistance through the Grace of the Lord," Ensign, May 1993, p.
80
(2/18/04)
"My dear brothers and sisters, when pain, tests, and trials come in life,
draw near to the Savior. 'Wait upon the Lord,... look for him' (Isa. 8:17; 2 Ne. 18:17). 'They that wait
upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as
eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint' (Isa. 40:31). Healing comes in
the Lord's time and the Lord's way; be patient." - Robert D. Hales, "Healing
Soul and Body," Ensign, Nov. 1998, p. 17
(10/19/04)
"'Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God,'" said Jesus to
his Apostles shortly before he picked up the cross to walk to his crucifixion.
Then he prayed for them--out loud--so that they could hear him. 'This is life
eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom
thou has sent.' (John 14:1;
17:3.) These promises from
God can comfort and sustain us through any kind of demand upon our soul. When we
turn to God in prayer--with a needful spirit and a contrite heart and a desire
to learn, we will feel the Spirit, the healing." - Elaine Cannon,
"Adversity," [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1987], p. 51
(1/19/05)
"If we understood completely the designs of the Lord, we would be more patient in our suffering and would not complain as much as we so often do when hardships come and we are asked to sacrifice." - Theodore M. Burton, "Kingdom of God," Ensign, June 1971, p. 84
(2/4/05)
"Like the Savior, we will all have our Gethsemane. And although the road
may be rough at times, if we will hold fast to the rod of iron, spoken of by
Lehi, it will lead us through the mist of darkness. If we will not be dissuaded
by the mocking voices of the world or lose our way and fall into the river or
wander in strange roads, we will pass the challenging test of life that Abraham
foresaw.
"All the effort and struggle and sorrow will be well worth it, for we will
earn the greatest of all gifts, the gift of eternal life." - Henry D.
Taylor, "A
Time of Testing," Ensign, Dec. 1971, p. 44
(3/3/05)
"Friction, or resistance, is an interesting phenomenon. Without this force,
a person or vehicle could not move about, or if already in motion, could not be
stopped except by collision. Simple things like nails, screws, and bolts would
not stay in place; a cork would not stay in a bottle; a light globe would drop
from its socket; a lid would not stay on a jar.
"The law of friction or resistance that we think of as only applying to
science seems to find application in our personal lives. This is probably what
Lehi was referring to when he spoke to his son Jacob. He reminded Jacob of the
afflictions and sorrows that had come to him because of the rudeness of his
brethren, and told him how these afflictions would ultimately result in good.
These are the words of Jacob to his son: 'Thou knowest the greatness of God; and
he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain' (2
Ne. 2:2).
"In other words, the afflictions that had come to him in the form of
opposition or resistance would be for his good. Then Lehi added these words that
have become classic: 'For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all
things. If not so,... righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither
wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad' (2
Ne. 2:11).
"We came to mortal life to encounter resistance. It was part of the plan
for our eternal progress." - Howard W. Hunter, "God
Will Have a Tried People," Ensign, May 1980, 25
(8/27/05)
"Let us remember—trials are an evidence of a
Father's love. They are given as a blessing to his children. They are given as
opportunities for growth.
"Now, how do we approach them? How do we overcome them? How are we magnified by
them? There seems to be a reason why we lose our composure in adversity—why we
think we can no longer cope with what we're faced with here in this life. There
is a reason why we give up, why we 'fall apart at the seams' so to speak. The
reason may be so simple that we lose sight of it.
"Could it be it's because we begin to lose contact with our greatest source of
strength—our Father in heaven? He is the key to our enjoying sweetness in
adversity—in gaining strength from our trials—he and he alone." - H. Burke
Peterson, "Adversity
and Prayer," Ensign, Jan. 1974, 19
12/7/05
"Why worry about future calamities or uncertainties over which you have
no control? Your righteous character magnifies the probability that you will
never have to suffer them. When challenges and testing do come, your faith will
lead you to solutions. Your peace of mind, your assurance of answers to vexing
problems, your ultimate joy depend upon your trust in Heavenly Father and His
Son, Jesus Christ. Right will ultimately prevail. It will yield blessings now as
you in faith obey the commandments of God. Remember an unfailing, continual,
ever-present source of peace and comfort is available to you. It is the
certainty that your Father in Heaven loves you no matter what your circumstance,
no matter what winds of trial, turmoil, or tribulation whirl about you. That
certainty will never change. Your ability to access that support depends on the
strength of your faith in Him and in His certain willingness to bless you." -
Richard G. Scott, "The
Sustaining Power of Faith in Times of Uncertainty and Testing," Ensign (CR),
May 2003, p.75
4/9/06
"In the celestial glory, we are told, 'God shall wipe away all tears from their
eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither
shall there be any more pain.' (Rev.
21:4.) Then faith and hope will replace heartache, disappointment, torment,
anguish, and despair, and the Lord will give us strength, as Alma says, 'that we
should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of
Christ.' (Alma 31:38.) Of
this I have a testimony, and I so declare it in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
- James E. Faust, "Spiritual
Healing," Ensign (CR), May 1992, p.6
9/25/06
"Sometimes you may feel to complain to the Lord about a challenge that has come
into your life through no fault of your own. Jacob taught: 'Seek not to counsel
the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that
he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his
works.' (Jacob 4:10.)
"God knows what is best for us. Although we may not understand why we experience
some things now, in His timetable we will know and be grateful.
"He has promised to help us with our burdens: 'I will ... ease the burdens which
are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, ...
that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their
afflictions.' (Mosiah 24:14.)
"We are counseled, 'Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.' (Ps.
55:22.) I have been greatly helped by laying a vexing matter at His feet for
a while. When I picked it up again, it was lighter and more manageable." -
Richard G. Scott, "He
Lives," Ensign (CR), November 1999, p.87
10/5/06
"Many carry heavy burdens. Some have lost a loved one to death or care for one
who is disabled. Some have been wounded by divorce. Others yearn for an eternal
marriage. Some are caught in the grip of addictive substances or practices like
alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or pornography. Others have crippling physical or
mental impairments. Some are challenged by same-gender attraction. Some have
terrible feelings of depression or inadequacy. In one way or another, many are
heavy laden. To each of us our Savior gives this loving invitation:
"'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest.
"'Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and
ye shall find rest unto your souls.
"'For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light' (Matthew
11:28–30)." - Dallin H. Oaks, "He
Heals the Heavy Laden," Ensign, November 2006
10/16/06
"Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems
shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all
will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together
again. We will all have our Fridays.
"But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will
come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come." - Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Sunday
Will Come," Ensign, November 2006
9/19/07
"We are all travelers
for a time on this planet earth. One day we shall return to that dwelling place
we knew before, and there rejoice in the memories of our journey and the
experiences of this earth life—experiences some of which have taken us to the
very mountain peaks of our lives and others into deep valleys as we have been
tried and tested along the way, all for the purpose that we might be prepared to
receive the glory the Lord has for us when we return. Sometimes we must trudge
along in faith not knowing the answers for a time, but always knowing there is a
divine plan and a purpose, and feeling the assurance of a loving Father in
heaven. With this knowledge, we realize that the tests we are called upon to
endure are for our growth, not to consume us but to refine us, not to discourage
us but to enlighten us, and not to defeat us but to redeem us." - Ardeth Greene
Kapp, "My Neighbor, My Sister, My Friend," p.ix
1/21/08
"Do not let us be discouraged at
difficulties and trials, for we are sent to this state of existence for the
express purpose of descending below all things, that we may pass the ordeals and
trials of this life and thereby prove our integrity and be prepared to rise
above all things. And after all, we have not been called upon to endure to that
extent that the Savior of the world was. But he was not subjected to the
afflictions he had to endure without hope, neither are we; but we are called to
pass through them that we may prove whether we have power and strength to stand
in that day when all things shall be shaken, and nothing doubting, cleave to the
Lord our God with full purpose of heart, no matter how much things are against
us, apparently. If we can pass these tests and trails we shall prove to God and
angels that we are worthy to receive the welcome plaudit, 'well
done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord.'"
- Daniel H. Wells, "Journal of Discourses,"
26 vols., 12:236
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