How Can I Face

Adversity Confidently?

The Adversities of One Family

Broken engagement Divorce

Chronic disease Disfellowship

Seemingly eternal single life Stroke

Infertility Chronic underemployment

Unemployment Permanent physical injury

Lack of self-worth Hospitalizations

Unfulfilled expectations Loss of faith

Challenges from loved ones about our religion Attempting to save a life unsuccessfully Encountering a dead body face-to-face

Scuba diving with a group, ending in the death of 2 Loss of a parent Loss of a sibling Loss of a friend

Spiritual Whirlwinds

“The reality of the Restoration of the gospel in these latter

days continues to be challenged. The continual

bombardment of such messages may cause confusion, doubt,

and pessimism, each attacking the fundamental truths we

believe in, our faith in God, and our hope in the future.”

Richard C. Edgley

“Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more. He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain.” Elder Richard G. Scott

How Can We Face

Adversity Confidently?

1. By strengthening our

faith in the Savior

2. By turning to Him for

peace

“In this age, as in every age

before us and in every age

that will follow, the greatest

need in all the world is an

active and sincere faith in the

basic teachings of Jesus of

Nazareth, the living Son of

the living God.”

President Howard W. Hunter

1. Make faith a choice.

2. Build faith.

3. Use it.

1. Make faith a choice.

“Because of the conflicts and challenges we face in today’s world, I wish to suggest a

single choice—a choice of peace and protection and a choice that is appropriate for all. That choice is faith. Be aware that

faith is not a free gift given without thought, desire, or effort…The Savior said,

“Come unto me” (Matthew 11:28) and “Knock, and it shall be [given] you” (Matthew 7:7).

These are action verbs—come, knock. They are choices.

So I say, choose faith. Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith

over the unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism.”

“Yes, faith is a choice, and it must be sought after and developed. Thus, we are responsible for our own faith. We are also responsible for our lack of faith. The choice is yours.”

Richard C. Edgley, of the Presiding Bishopric, “Faith—The Choice is Yours”, October 2010

General Conference

2. Build faith.

Visual of scriptures for study

“When was the last time that you read the Book of Mormon from

cover to cover? Read it again. It will increase your faith.”

Elder Neil L Andersen, Oct 2015 General Conference,

“Faith is Not by Chance, But by Choice”

“So many answers and assurances can come through daily searching and studying the scriptures and with sincere and pleading prayer, but there are no such promises on the Internet. The prophet Jacob testifies: ‘For the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be.’”

Sister Linda S. Reeves, Oct 2015 General Conference,

“Worthy of Our Promised Blessings”

3. Use it.

“Faith never demands an answer to every question but seeks the assurance and courage to move forward, sometimes acknowledging, “I don’t know everything, but I do know enough to continue on the path of discipleship.” Elder Neil L Andersen, Oct 2015 General Conference, “Faith is Not by Chance, But by Choice”

Video: Mormon Messages “Mountains of Faith”

Although your beginning fire of faith may be small, righteous choices bring greater confidence in God, and your faith grows. The difficulties of mortality blow against you, and evil forces lurk in the darkness, hoping to extinguish your faith. But as you continue to make good choices, trust in God, and follow His Son, the Lord sends increased light and knowledge, and your faith becomes settled and unwavering. - Elder Neil L. Andersen, “Faith is Not by Chance, But by Choice”

1. Make faith a choice.

2. Build faith.

3. Use it.

“My beloved young sisters, each of you needs to build a reservoir of faith so you can draw upon it when someone you love or respect betrays you, when some scientific discovery seems to cast doubt on a gospel principle, or when someone makes light of sacred things,

such as the name of God or the sacred ceremonies of the temple. You need to draw on

your reservoir of faith when you are weak or when someone else calls on you to strengthen them. You also need to draw on your reservoir

of faith when some requirement of Church membership or service interferes with your

personal preferences.

In times of trial you need the comfort offered in the holy scriptures, which assure you that when you have the shield of faith you will ‘be able to

quench all the fiery darts of the wicked’ (D&C 27:17).

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ prepares you for whatever life brings. This kind of faith prepares

you to deal with life’s opportunities—to take advantage of those that are received and to

persist through the disappointments of those that are lost.

Most importantly, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ opens the door of salvation and exaltation: ‘For

no [one] can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have faith in his name’.” Elder Dallin H Oaks April 1994, “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ”

Howard and Claire Hunter

How Can We Face

Adversity Confidently?

1. By strengthening our

faith in the Savior

2. By turning to Him for

peace

“It is my firm belief that if as individual people, as families, communities, and nations, we could, like

Peter, fix our eyes on Jesus, we too might walk triumphantly over “the swelling waves of

disbelief” and remain “unterrified amid the rising winds of doubt.”

At such times when we feel the floods are threatening to drown us and the deep is going to swallow up the tossed vessel of our faith, I pray

we may always hear amid the storm and the darkness that sweet utterance of the Savior of the

world: “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”

“When adversity arrives in our lives, the only true source of comfort is God. ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’” (John 14:27).

“There is no infirmity, affliction, or adversity that Christ did not feel in Gethsemane.”

Elder Rafael E. Pino in 2009 “Faith in Adversity”

“Brothers and sisters, you have and will have worries

and challenges of many kinds, but embrace life joyfully and full of faith.

Study the scriptures regularly. Pray fervently.

Obey the voice of the Spirit and the prophets. Do all that you can to help others. You will find great happiness in

such a course. Some glorious day all your worries will be

turned to joys.”

Video of very last portion of the talk from Linda S Reeves “Worthy of Our Promised Blessings” October 2015 General Conference

How Can I Face

Adversity Confidently?