Enduring Trials

“The purpose of mortality is to learn and to grow to be more like our Father, and it is often during the difficult times that we learn the most, as painful as the lessons may be.”

~Thomas S. Monson, God Be With You Till We Meet Again, October 2012 Conference                                                         

When faced with a trial of faith—whatever you do, you don’t step away from the Church! Distancing yourself from the kingdom of God during a trial of faith is like leaving the safety of a secure storm cellar just as the tornado comes into view.

~ Neil L. Anderson, Trial of Your Faith, Conference October 2012

Through the years, I have reflected on these words: “It’s true, isn’t it? Then what else matters?” These questions have helped me put difficult issues in proper perspective. The cause in which we are laboring is true. We respect the beliefs of our friends and neighbors. We are all sons and daughters of God. We can learn much from other men and women of faith and goodness.

~Neil L. Anderson, It’s True Isn’t It? Then What Else Matters, Conference April 2007

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 labor 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, Heals The Heavy Laden, Conference October 2006

It was meant to be that life would be a challenge. To suffer some anxiety, some depression, even some failure is normal. If you have a good, miserable day once in a while- or several in a row- stand steady and face them. Things will straighten out. There is great purpose in our struggle in life.

~ Boyd K. Packer, Solving Emotional Problems in the Lord’s Own Way, Conference, April 1978

Certain forms of suffering, endured well, can actually be ennobling. Annie Swetchine said, “Those who have suffered much are like those who know many languages; they have learned to understand and be understood by all”

~ Neil A. Maxwell, Enduring Well, Conference, April  1997

You and I have faith that the way to rise through and above trials is to believe that there is a “balm in Gilead” and that the Lord has promised, “I will not … forsake thee… If the foundation of faith is not embedded in our hearts, the power to endure will crumble.

~ Henry B. Eyring, Mountains To Climb, Conference, April 2012

Think of the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane during the Atonement process, suffering agony so great that He bled from every pore. His cry to His Father included the word Abba.  This might be interpreted as the cry of a son who is in distress to his father: “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” I testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ covers all of the trials and hardships that any of us will encounter in this life. At times when we may feel to say, “Hope you know, I had a hard time,” we can be assured that He is there and we are safe in His loving arms.

~ Quinton L. Cook, “Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time”, Conference, October 2008

If for a while, the harder you try, the harder it gets, take heart.  So it has been with the best people who ever lived,

~Jeffrey R. Holland, However Long and Hard the Road, [1985], 33).

Divine chastening has at least three purposes: (1) to persuade us to repent, (2) to refine and sanctify us, and (3) at times to redirect our course in life to what God knows is a better path.

Though it is often difficult to endure, truly we ought to rejoice that God considers us worth the time and trouble to correct.

D. Todd Christofferson, “As Many As I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten”, Conference October 2012


My Own Thoughts and Testimony:

Life is a test. There are many heartaches and sadnesses that will occur to each of us, some brought on by the consequences of sin, some from the agency of others, and some from the nature of life itself given to test us or to teach us something valuable. I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ which helps me to be strong during these trials and helps me to see the purpose in them. When we have faith in Christ, we are able to see purpose in all things and in a positive light. With Christ we can overcome all things even sin and death. I know that all heartaches and sadnesses are understood by our Savior and in Him we will be able to find great comfort.