Friday, May 20, 2011

Adversity

Carol F McKonkie, The Soul’s Sincere Desire, October 2016 General Conference

“He suffered, bled, and died to glorify His Father, and His merciful petition on our behalf opens the way for each of us to obtain peace in this life and everlasting life in the world to come. He does not want us to suffer longer or endure more trials than needed.”

Orson F. Whitney, in Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle (1972), 98
“All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, … purifies our hearts … and makes us more tender and charitable, … and it is through … toil and tribulation, that we gain the education … which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven.”


Richard G Scott, Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority, October 2014 General Conference
The more we develop these habits [of prayer, scripture study, family home evening, and temple attendance], the more anxious is Satan to harm us but the less is his ability to do so.

Jörg Klebingat, Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence
"Some trials come through your own disobedience or negligence. Other trials come because of the negligence of others or simply because this is a fallen world."

President Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle [1975], 97

“If we looked at mortality as the whole of existence, then pain, sorrow, failure, and short life would be calamity. But if we look upon life as an eternal thing stretching far into the premortal past and on into the eternal post-death future, then all happenings may be put in proper perspective. “… Are we not exposed to temptations to test our strength, sickness that we might learn patience, death that we might be immortalized and glorified? 
“If all the sick for whom we pray were healed, if all the righteous were protected and the wicked destroyed, the whole program of the Father would be annulled and the basic principle of the gospel, free agency, would be ended. No man would have to live by faith” 

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, From a talk given at the Provo (Utah) Missionary Training Center on 20 June 2000, Missionary Work and the Atonement
"How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him?"

Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

John 9:1-3
1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

Elder Paul V Johnson, More Than Conquerors through Him That Loved Us, General Conference April 2011
“Recently a nine-year-old boy was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. The doctor explained the diagnosis and the treatment, which included months of chemotherapy and major surgery. He said it would be a very difficult time for the boy and his family but then added, ‘People ask me, ‘Will I be the same after this is over?’ I tell them, ‘No, you won’t be the same. You will be so much stronger. You will be awesome!’ ‘
At times it may seem that our trials are focused on areas of our lives and parts of our souls with which we seem least able to cope. Since personal growth is an intended outcome of these challenges, it should come as no surprise that the trials can be very personal—almost laser guided to our particular needs or weaknesses. And no one is exempt, especially not Saints striving to do what’s right. Some obedient Saints may ask, ‘Why me? I’m trying to be good! Why is the Lord allowing this to happen?’ The furnace of affliction helps purify even the very best of Saints by burning away the dross in their lives and leaving behind pure gold. 6 Even very rich ore needs refining to remove impurities. Being good is not enough. We want to become like the Savior, who learned as He suffered ‘pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind.’ “
The Crimson Trail in Logan Canyon is one of my favorite hikes. The main part of the trail creeps along the top of tall limestone cliffs and offers beautiful vistas of the canyon and valley below. Getting to the top of the cliffs isn’t easy, however. The trail there is a constant climb; and just before reaching the top, the climber encounters the steepest part of the trail; and views of the canyon are hidden by the cliffs themselves. The final exertion is more than worth the effort because once the climber is on top, the views are breathtaking. The only way to see the views is to make the climb.


...
"Mothers know that the challenges of labor precede the miracle of birth. Time after time we see marvelous blessings on the heels of great trials.
...
The Apostle Paul taught, ‘For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.’ 14 It is interesting that Paul uses the term ‘light affliction.’ This comes from a person who was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and who experienced many other trials. 15 I doubt many of us would label our afflictions light. Yet in comparison to the blessings and growth we ultimately receive, both in this life and in eternity, our afflictions truly are light.”


Elder James B. Martino, All Things Work Together for Good, General Conference, April 2010
"Second, when we are faced with trials, we must learn to not complain or murmur. Nephi, after a great vision of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice, told us: 'Wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.'4 We must always attempt to correct the problem and overcome the trial, but instead of asking 'Why me?' or “What did I do to deserve this?” maybe the question should be 'What am I to do? What can I learn from this experience? What am I to change?'"

Robert D. Hales, “Healing Soul and Body,” Ensign, Nov. 1998, 14
“Pain brings you to a humility that allows you to ponder. It is an experience I am grateful to have endured. …”
Kent F. Richards, The Atonement Covers All Pain, General Conference April 2011
"Opposition is part of Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. We all encounter enough to bring us to an awareness of our Father’s love and of our need for the Savior’s help."
...
As I pondered, I came to understand that during His mortal life Christ chose to experience pains and afflictions in order to understand us.

No comments:

Post a Comment