This is a review of the slides we used while This is a review of the slides we used while discussing . . .discussing . . .

Enduring Trials “Well”Enduring Trials “Well” D&C 121-123D&C 121-123

The nearer a person approaches the The nearer a person approaches the Lord, Lord, a greater power will be manifested by a greater power will be manifested by the adversarythe adversary to prevent the accomplishment to prevent the accomplishment of His purposes (Joseph Smith, of His purposes (Joseph Smith, History of the History of the ChurchChurch, 3:46)., 3:46).

Why do bad things happen Why do bad things happen to good people?to good people?

Men have to suffer that they may come Men have to suffer that they may come upon Mount Zion and be exalted above the upon Mount Zion and be exalted above the heavensheavens (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 5:556).5:556).

Being human, we would expel from our lives Being human, we would expel from our lives physical pain and mental anguish and assure physical pain and mental anguish and assure ourselves of continual ease and comfort, but if we ourselves of continual ease and comfort, but if we were to close the doors upon sorrow and distress, were to close the doors upon sorrow and distress, we we might be excluding our greatest friends and might be excluding our greatest friends and benefactorsbenefactors.. Suffering can make saints of peopleSuffering can make saints of people as as they learn patience, long-suffering, and self-mastery they learn patience, long-suffering, and self-mastery (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1972], p. 98). [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1972], p. 98).

No pain that we suffer, no trial that we No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. experience is wasted. It ministers to our It ministers to our education education . . . and it is through sorrow and . . . and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the we gain the education education that we come here to acquire and which that we come here to acquire and which will will make us more like our Father and Mother in make us more like our Father and Mother in heavenheaven (Orson F. Whitney as quoted in (Orson F. Whitney as quoted in Faith Faith Precedes the MiraclePrecedes the Miracle, p. 98). (Howard W. Hunter, , p. 98). (Howard W. Hunter, Ensign, Nov. 1987, 60)Ensign, Nov. 1987, 60)

President Romney then said: President Romney then said:

““This does not mean that we crave sufferingThis does not mean that we crave suffering. . We We avoid all we canavoid all we can.. However, we now know, and we all However, we now know, and we all knew when we elected to come into mortality, that we knew when we elected to come into mortality, that we would here be proved in the crucible of adversity and would here be proved in the crucible of adversity and affliction. . . . affliction. . . .

[Furthermore,] the Father’s plan for proving [Furthermore,] the Father’s plan for proving [and refining] his children did not exempt the Savior [and refining] his children did not exempt the Savior himself. The suffering he undertook to endure, and himself. The suffering he undertook to endure, and which he did endure, equaled the combined suffering which he did endure, equaled the combined suffering of all men [and women everywhere. Trembling and of all men [and women everywhere. Trembling and bleeding and wishing to shrink from the cup, he said,] bleeding and wishing to shrink from the cup, he said,] ‘I partook and finished my preparations unto the ‘I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.’children of men.’ (D&C 19:18–19.).” (Howard W. (D&C 19:18–19.).” (Howard W. Hunter, Hunter, EnsignEnsign, Nov. 1987, 59)., Nov. 1987, 59).

How do we endure it well?How do we endure it well?

Not enduring it well. . .Not enduring it well. . .

Where can I turn for peace?Where can I turn for peace?

Out of tribulation comes Out of tribulation comes knowledge. . .knowledge. . .

4 Types of Knowledge:4 Types of Knowledge:1) 1) [121:26-32][121:26-32] knowledge through knowledge through

revelation due to humility. [see D&C revelation due to humility. [see D&C 136:31-33]136:31-33]

No pain that we suffer, no trial that we No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. experience is wasted. It ministers to our educationIt ministers to our education,, to the to the development of such qualities as patience, development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humilityfaith, fortitude and humility (Orson F. Whitney as (Orson F. Whitney as quoted in quoted in Faith Precedes the MiracleFaith Precedes the Miracle, p. 98) , p. 98) (Howard W. Hunter, Ensign, Nov. 1987, 60).(Howard W. Hunter, Ensign, Nov. 1987, 60).

4 Types of Knowledge:4 Types of Knowledge:1) [121:26-32] knowledge through 1) [121:26-32] knowledge through

revelation due to humility.revelation due to humility.

2) 2) [121:33][121:33] knowledge that God’s knowledge that God’s work can’t be stopped.work can’t be stopped.

Result of PersecutionResult of Persecution -- -- “Every time you kick “Every time you kick 'Mormonism,' you kick it up stairs: you never kick it 'Mormonism,' you kick it up stairs: you never kick it down stairsdown stairs.. The Lord Almighty so orders it.” The Lord Almighty so orders it.” (Journal of Discourses, Vol.7, p.145, Brigham (Journal of Discourses, Vol.7, p.145, Brigham Young, May 22, 1859).Young, May 22, 1859).

4 Types of Knowledge:4 Types of Knowledge:1) [121:26-32] knowledge through 1) [121:26-32] knowledge through

revelation due to humility.revelation due to humility.

2) [121:33] knowledge that God’s work 2) [121:33] knowledge that God’s work can’t be stopped.can’t be stopped.

3)3) [121:41-45][121:41-45] knowledge that yields knowledge that yields compassion for others.compassion for others.

No pain that we suffer, no trial that we No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. experience is wasted. It ministers to our It ministers to our education. . . education. . . All that we suffer and all that we All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of charitable, more worthy to be called the children of GodGod (Orson F. Whitney as quoted in (Orson F. Whitney as quoted in Faith Precedes Faith Precedes the Miraclethe Miracle, p. 98). (Howard W. Hunter, Ensign, , p. 98). (Howard W. Hunter, Ensign, Nov. 1987, 60).Nov. 1987, 60).

4 Types of Knowledge:4 Types of Knowledge:1) [121:26-32] knowledge through 1) [121:26-32] knowledge through

revelation due to humility.revelation due to humility.2) [121:33] knowledge that God’s work 2) [121:33] knowledge that God’s work

can’t be stopped.can’t be stopped.3) [121:41-45] knowledge that yields 3) [121:41-45] knowledge that yields

compassion for others.compassion for others.4) 4) [122][122] knowledge that trials from all knowledge that trials from all

sources will work for our good.sources will work for our good.

…Wherefore, though good and bad men suffer alike, we must not suppose that there is no difference between the men themselves, because there is no difference in what they both suffer. For even in the likeness of the sufferings, there remains an unlikeness in the sufferers; and though exposed to the same anguish, virtue and vice are not the same thing. For as the same fire causes gold to glow brightly, and chaff to smoke; and under the same flail the straw is beaten small, while the grain is cleansed; and as the lees are not mixed with the oil, though squeezed out of the vat by the same pressure, so the same violence of affliction proves, purges, clarifies the good, but damns, ruins, exterminates the wicked. And thus it is that in the same affliction the wicked detest God and blaspheme, while the good pray and praise. So material a difference does it make, not what ills are suffered, but what kind of man suffers them. For, stirred up with the same movement, mud exhales a horrible stench, and ointment emits a fragrant odor.

(“City of God”, Ch 8. – Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, [Hedricksons Publishers, Inc., 1995] vol.2, pp. 5-6)

St. Augustin of Hippo

The Ultimate The Ultimate Outcome!Outcome!

D&C 123:11-17D&C 123:11-17

Never be discouraged. If I were sunk in Never be discouraged. If I were sunk in the lowest pit of Nova Scotia, with the Rocky the lowest pit of Nova Scotia, with the Rocky Mountains piled on me, I would hang on, Mountains piled on me, I would hang on, exercise faith, and keep up good courage, and exercise faith, and keep up good courage, and I I would come out on topwould come out on top (Joseph Smith to his (Joseph Smith to his cousin George A. Smith). cousin George A. Smith).

The End . . .The End . . .