2
Ne 2:2 he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy
gain.
Most
members of the church are all too familiar with this principle. It seems if
there is one concept that is well appreciated it is this one—that the trials
and tribulations of mortality serve God’s purpose because they become the
refining fire which purifies the soul and gives us experience. Some of the
better quotes on this subject are included, Therefore,
he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be
fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together
for your good, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord (DC 98:3).
Joseph
Smith had suffered in Liberty Jail for months before he came to his wits end.
He received two great revelations about the process of affliction:
If thou art called to pass through tribulation…if the heavens
gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above
all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know
thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be
for thy good. (DC 122:5-7)
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.
(DC 121:7-8)
Joseph
Smith
“I
am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; and the only
polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with
something else, striking with accelerated force against religious bigotry,
priest-craft, lawyer-craft, doctor-craft, lying editors, suborned judges and
jurors, and the authority of perjured executives, backed by mobs, blasphemers,
licentious and corrupt men and women-all hell knocking off a corner here and a
corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of
the Almighty, who will give me dominion over all and every one of them, when
their refuge of lies shall fail, and their hiding place shall be destroyed,
while these smooth-polished stones with which I come in contact become marred.”
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 304)
Elaine
Cannon
“Adversity
in our own lives can bring life's purpose to mind. Bad times have certain
scientific value, according to Emerson. In his "Conduct of Life"
essays he says that the trying times are occasions a good learner would not
miss. One can learn a great deal. Can it be, then, that if one doesn't kick
against the pricks, increased understanding comes-the nature of God, the
importance of the adventure of life?” (Elaine Cannon, Adversity, p. 4)
Marion
G. Romney
“If
we can bear our afflictions with the understanding, faith, and courage,…we
shall be strengthened and comforted in many ways. We shall be spared the
torment which accompanies the mistaken idea that all suffering comes as
chastisement for transgression…
“…I
have seen the remorse and despair in the lives of men who, in the hour of
trial, have cursed God and died spiritually. And I have seen people rise to
great heights from what seemed to be unbearable burdens.” (Conference
Report, Oct. 1969, pp. 59-60 as taken from the Book of Mormon Student
Manual, 1981 ed., p. 69)