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. 

Family History and Redeeming the Dead

Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors, prepare their names for the sacred vicarious ordinances available in the temple, and then go to the temple to stand as proxy for them to receive the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.

~Richard G. Scott, The Joy of Redeeming the Dead, Conference October 2012

The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead. … For it is necessary that the sealing power should be in our hands to seal our children and our dead for the fulness of the dispensation of times—a dispensation to meet the promises made by Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world for the salvation of man. … Hence, God said, ‘I will send you Elijah the prophet. “But how are they to become saviors on Mount Zion? By building their temples … and going forth and receiving all the ordinances … in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead … ; and herein is the chain that binds the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, which fulfills the mission of Elijah”

~Teachings: Joseph Smith, pages 472–473

The Spirit of Elijah is “a manifestation of the Holy Ghost bearing witness of the divine nature of the family

~ Russell M. Neilson, A New Harvest Time, Ensign, May 1998, 34

I invite the young people of the Church to learn about and experience the Spirit of Elijah… As you respond in faith to this invitation, your hearts shall turn to the fathers. The promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be implanted in your hearts. Your patriarchal blessing, with its declaration of lineage, will link you to these fathers and be more meaningful to you. Your love and gratitude for your ancestors will increase. Your testimony of and conversion to the Savior will become deep and abiding. And I promise you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you participate in and love this holy work, you will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives.

~David A. Bednar, The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn, Conference October 2011

But what about you? Have you prayed about your own ancestors’ work? Set aside those things in your life that don’t really matter. Decide to do something that will have eternal consequences. Perhaps you have been prompted to look for ancestors but feel you are not a genealogist. Can you see that you don’t have to be anymore? It all begins with love and a sincere desire to help those beyond the veil who can’t help themselves. Check around. There will be someone in your area who can help you have success.

~Richard G. Scott, The Joy of Redeeming the Dead, Conference October 2012

When you were baptized, your ancestors looked down on you with hope. … They rejoiced to see one of their descendants make a covenant to find them. Their hearts are bound to you. Their hope is in your hands.”

~ Henry B. Eyring, Hearts Bound Together, Conference April 2005

How are they to become saviors on Mount Zion? By building their temples, erecting their baptismal fonts, and going forth and receiving all the ordinances . . .upon their heads, in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead, and redeem them that they may come forth in the first resurrection and be exalted to thrones of glory with them”

~ Joseph Smith, (History of the Church, 6:184)

Elijah came to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the children to the fathers. With that, natural affection between generations began to be enriched. Elijah came not only to stimulate research for ancestors. He also enabled families to be eternally linked beyond the bounds of mortality. Indeed, the opportunity for families to be sealed forever is the real reason for our research.

~ Russell M. Neilson, A New Harvest Time, Conference April 1998

As you decide, remember that the names which will be so difficult to find are of real people to whom you owe your existence in this world and whom you will meet again in the spirit world. . . . Their hearts are bound to you. Their hope is in your hands. You will have more than your own strength as you choose to labor on to find them.

~ Henry B. Eyring, Hearts Bound Together, Conference April 2005

The work of seeking out our dead and ensuring that the ordinances of exaltation are performed in their behalf is a mandate from our Heavenly Father and his Beloved Son. They do not leave us to struggle alone but rather, in ways which are sometimes dramatic, prepare the way and answer our prayers.

~ Thomas S. Monson, Happy Birthday, Ensign, Mar. 1995, 58).

My Own Thoughts and Testimony; 

Repentance is required of all men and God has established commandments and covenants that we must obey in order to receive eternal life. Of all the billions of people who have lived on this earth, only a small portion of them have been taught the truthfulness of the gospel. So what about the other portion? Does not God have compassion and love for all of His children equally? The answer to this question is yes! One of the great responsibilities that we have in these last days is to perform the redeeming work for our ancestors that is essential for eternal life and exaltation. When we take part in this great work we give those who have not heard the gospel in this life a chance to accept it. We accomplish this work by doing family history and then we can take those names to the temple where these ordinances are completed such as baptism. The Lord has promised that when we take part in this work we will be greatly blessed and will find a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary from our lives.

 

Agency

Whenever we choose to come unto Christ, take His name upon us, and follow His servants, we progress along the path to eternal life. In our mortal journey, it is helpful to remember that the opposite is also true: when we don’t keep the commandments or follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost, our opportunities are reduced; our abilities to act and progress are diminished.

~Robert D. Hales, Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life, October 2010

“Warn them that they will encounter people who pick which commandments they will keep and ignore others that they choose to break. I call this the cafeteria approach to obedience. This practice of picking and choosing will not work. It will lead to misery."

~ Russell M. Neilson, Face the Future With Faith, Conference April 2011

You have agency, and you are free to choose. But there is actually no free agency. Agency has its price. You have to pay the consequences of your choices.

~ Dieter F. Utchdorf, On the Wings of Eagles, BYU Devotional, July 2006

Because the eternal principle of agency gives us the freedom to choose and think for ourselves, we should become increasingly able to solve problems. We may make the occasional mistake, but as long as we are following gospel principles and guidelines, we can learn from those mistakes and become more understanding of others and more effective in serving them.

~ M. Russell Ballard, O Be Wise, Conference, October 2006

Do we have a guide to help us choose the right and avoid dangerous detours? I have tried to pattern my life after the Master. Whenever I have a difficult decision to make, I have looked at that picture and asked myself, “What would He do?” Then I try to do it. We can never go wrong when we choose to follow the Savior.

~ Thomas S. Monson, Choose You This Day, Conference October 2004

Our agency, given us through the plan of our Father, is the great alternative to Satan’s plan of force. With this sublime gift, we can grow, improve, progress, and seek perfection. Without agency, none of us could grow and develop by learning from our mistakes and errors and those of others…. I do not really think the devil can make us do anything. Certainly he can tempt and he can deceive, but he has no authority over us that we do not give him.

~James E. Faust, The Forces That Will Save Us, First Presidency Message, January 2007

You and I were among those who used their agency to accept Heavenly Father’s plan to come to earth, to have a mortal life, to progress. “We shouted for joy … to have the opportunity of coming to the earth to receive bodies [for we knew] that we might become, through faithfulness, like unto our Father, God.”  Now we are here on earth, where opportunities to use our agency abound; for here “there is an opposition in all things.” This opposition is essential to the purpose of our lives.

~Robert D. Hales, To Act For Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency, April 2006

By “moral discipline,” I mean self-discipline based on moral standards. Moral discipline is the consistent exercise of agency to choose the right because it is right, even when it is hard. It rejects the self-absorbed life in favor of developing character worthy of respect and true greatness through Christlike service.

~ D. Todd Christofferson, Moral Discipline, Conference October 2009

The decisions we make, individually and personally, become the fabric of our lives. That fabric will be beautiful or ugly according to the threads of which it is woven. I wish to say particularly to the young men who are here that you cannot indulge in any unbecoming behavior without injury to the beauty of the fabric of your lives. Immoral acts of any kind will introduce an ugly thread. Dishonesty of any kind will create a blemish. Foul and profane language will rob the pattern of its beauty.”

~ Gordon B. Hinckley, This Work Is Concerned with People, Conference, April 1995

Men will be held accountable for the things which they have and not for the things they have not. … All the light and intelligence communicated to them from their beneficent creator, whether it is much or little, by the same they in justice will be judged, and … they are required to yield obedience and improve upon that and that only which is given, for man is not to live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

~ Joseph Smith, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 405

Choosing to do what the Lord has defined as right will, in the long run, always lead to the best outcomes.

~Richard G. Scott - Ensign, Nov. 1998, 69

My Own Thoughts and Testimony:

It is common for many to think of the commandments or the strictness of the word of God to be restricting and limiting to freedom and happiness. I promise you that this is not true! There was a time in my life that I thought the very same thing. I believed in the gospel, but I felt that it was so restricting. As I started picking and choosing which commandments I would follow, I found myself trapped due to the consequences of sin. Something I have learned, is that I never regret doing the right thing. The hardest part is just making the decision to change and not so much the act itself. When we fear God more than men and put our trust in Him, He gives us strength beyond our own to accomplish the things He has asked us to do. I testify that there is great freedom and happiness found in keeping the commandments. Greatest of all we find peace, something that can not be found from any other source. 

The Atonement

It is my testimony that many of the deepest regrets of tomorrow can be prevented by following the Savior today. If we have sinned or made mistakes—if we have made choices that we now regret—there is the precious gift of Christ’s Atonement, through which we can be forgiven. We cannot go back in time and change the past, but we can repent.

~ Deiter F. Utchdorf, Of Resolutions and Regrets, Conference October 2012

That is the promise of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Atonement: to take anyone who comes, anyone who will join, and put them through an experience so that at the end of their life, they can go through the veil having repented of their sins and having been washed clean through the blood of Christ.

~ Boyd K. Packer, The Atonement, Conference October 2012

It was required, indeed it was central to the significance of the Atonement, that this perfect Son who had never spoken ill nor done wrong nor touched an unclean thing had to know how the rest of humankind—us, all of us—would feel when we did commit such sins. For His Atonement to be infinite and eternal, He had to feel what it was like to die not only physically but spiritually, to sense what it was like to have the divine Spirit withdraw, leaving one feeling totally, abjectly, hopelessly alone.

~Jeffery R. Holland, None Were With Him, Conference April 2009

Forgiving ourselves and others is not easy. In fact, for most of us it requires a major change in our attitude and way of thinking, even a change of heart. But there is good news. This mighty change of heart is exactly what the gospel of Jesus Christ is designed to bring into our lives. How is it done? Through the love of God.

~ Dieter F. Utchdorf, The Merciful Shall Obtain Mercy, Conference April 2012

As Christians today, we have the opportunity to act straightway, immediately, and decisively, just as Peter and Andrew did: “they forsook their nets, and followed him.” We too are called upon to leave our nets, to reject worldly habits, customs, and traditions. We are also called to forsake our sins.” 

~Elder Hales, Being a More Christian Christian, Conference October 2012

Do not misunderstand. Repentance is not easy or painless or convenient. It is a bitter cup from Hell. But only Satan, who dwells there, would have you think that a necessary and required acknowledgment is more distasteful than permanent residence. Only he would say, “You can’t change. You won’t change. It’s too long and too hard to change. Give up. Give in. Don’t repent. You are just the way you are.” That, my friends, is a lie born of desperation. Don’t fall for it.

~Jeffery R. Holland, For Times of Trouble, March 1980 BYU Devotional

The scriptures speak of His arms being open,  extended, stretched out, and encircling. They are described as mighty and holy,  arms of mercy, arms of safety,  arms of love,  “lengthened out all the day long… The Lord’s desire that we come unto Him and be wrapped in His arms is often an invitation to repent. “Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.” 

~ Neil L. Anderson, Repent That I May Heal You, Conference October 2009

The Redeemer will safely lead you over the most difficult obstacles of life. His laws are absolutely secure anchors of protection that dispel fear and assure success in an otherwise dangerous world. Such a life will certainly provide you peace and happiness. True, enduring happiness, with the accompanying strength, courage, and capacity to overcome the greatest difficulties, will come as you center your life in Jesus Christ.

~ Richard G. Scott, The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness,  April 2009

Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely… He Loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.

~Dieter F. Utchdorf, The Love of God, Conference October 2009

As one of His latter-day witnesses, I testify that He lives today. He is a resurrected Being. He is our Savior, our Lord, the very Son of God. I testify that He will come again as our glorified, resurrected Lord. That day is not far distant. To all who accept Him as Savior and Lord, His literal resurrection means that life does not end at death, for He promised: “Because I live, ye shall live also.

~ Ezra Taft Benson, The Meaning of Easter, Conference April 1992


My Own Thoughts and Testimony:

Since the fall of Adam all mankind has been in a lost and fallen state, an enemy to God, and subject to the natural man. All of us are bound to make mistakes and to fall at times on dark paths and loose our way from God. Therefore it was given to us that we might have an atonement from the selfless sacrifice  not of man, but infinite and eternal so that God could remain both just and merciful. Therefore He sent His Son Jesus Christ to atone for all the pains, sins, and death of man. It is my testimony that the atonement is real! I know it with all of my heart that repentance is available to any who will humble themselves and come to Christ. In my life I have made many mistakes, but I know that God's love is unconditional and His hand is always stretched out to you and me. It is never too late. Remember that guilt is to our souls like pain is to our physical bodies. It is a way for us to prevent further damage and leads us to seek healing. There is healing in Christ, come to Him and be healed. 

Marriage and Family

If it were beautiful beyond our power to imagine, we wouldn't want to live there forever single, if we have even the dimmest memory of the faintest vision of a family with beloved parents and  children like the one from which we came to this earth and the one that is our destiny to form an to live in forever. There is only one place where the will be families- the highest degree of the celestial kingdom. That is where we want to be.

~ Henry B. Eyring, The Family BYU Address, November 5, 1995

I like to tell a young couple who are being married that in the marriage relationship they ought to look first to one another, as they do across the altar during their marriage not first to their parents, not first to their siblings, not first to their friends, but in solving all of their problems, they should look first to one another, because the unity between them under the presiding, loving authority of a Heavenly Father in that triangle… is what will get them over the inevitable problems of marriage.

~ Elder Oaks, Round table discussion, 2008 leadership Training Meeting: Building Up a Righteous Posterity.

Happiness does not consist of a glut of luxury, the world’s idea of a “good time” Nor must we search for it in faraway places with strange sounding names. Happiness is found at home.

~ Thomas S. Monson, Hallmarks of a Happy Home, Ensign October 2001

Some of our most important choices concern family activities. May breadwinners worry that their occupations leave too little time for their families. Here is no easy formula for that contest of priorities. However, I have never known of a man who looked back on his working life and said, “I just didn’t spend enough time with my job.”

~ Dallin H. Oaks, Good Better Best, October 2007 conference.

Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less an consume less of the world’s goods in order so spend more time with their children- more time eating together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all.

~ Julie B. Beck, Mothers Who Know,

There are multitudes of pure and holy spirits waiting to take tabernacles, now what is or duty? To prepare tabernacles for them; to take a course that will not tend to drive those spirits into the families of the wicked, where they will be trained in wickedness, debauchery, and every species of crime. It is the duty of every righteous man and woman to prepare tabernacles for all the spirits they can.

~ Brigham Young, Discourses of Brigham Young by John A. Widtsoe

Being one in a family carries a great responsibility of caring, loving, lifting an strengthening each member of the family so that all can righteously endure to the end in mortality and dwell together throughout eternity. It is not enough just to save ourselves. It is equally important that parents, brothers, and sisters are saved in our families.

Robert D. Hales, The Eternal Family, Conference October 1997

No other success can compensate for failure in the home.

~ David O McKay, conference April 1935 

Allow marriage and family to be a great source of happiness to you by being completely faithful to your spouse, speaking uplifting to them, expressing to them your feelings of love, and spending great time with your children.

~ Elder Richard G. Scott, The Eternal Blessing of Marriage, Conference April 2011

Marriage should not be treated as a contract entered by pleasure from both partners that can be easily broken if it “ doesn't work out” without even regarding the children. Children need families with a mother and a father with a strong conviction to the gospel

~ Dallin H. Oaks, Protect the Children, Conference October 2012

My Own Thoughts and Testimony:

The family is ordained of God and marriage between a man and woman are essential for His eternal plan. God has given us families on this earth for many reasons, one is so that we may receive many of the richest sources of happiness while we are here. Another is so that we can have the opportunity to provide physical bodies for each of Gods spirit children. We are responsible to teach our children the truth and to raise them in righteousness. Marriage is sacred and beautiful and therefore the powers of procreation should only be employed within marriage. I know with all my heart that these things are true and that although the standards of the world might be changing, Gods laws do not change and I will proudly stand as a witness of these truths.