Lisa taught the following wonderful lesson:
Chapter 7: Faithfulness in Times of Trial: “From
the Shadows into the Glorious Sunshine”
Teachings
of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow, 2011
·
IIf men are that we might have joy (2 Ne 2:25), why do we
experience trials?
It is
impossible for us to work out our salvation and accomplish the purposes of God
without trials or without sacrifices (p.110)
In order to accomplish our
exaltation and glory, [trials are] a necessary experience;
There is no other way in
which the Saints can make spiritual improvement and be prepared for an
inheritance in the celestial kingdom than through tribulation. It is the
process by which knowledge is increased and peace will ultimately be
established universally. It [has] been said that if all our surroundings were
peaceful and prosperous now, we would become indifferent. It would be a
condition that would be all that would be desired by a good many natures; they
would not stretch out after the things of eternity.
Take it individually or
take it collectively, we have suffered and we shall have to suffer again, and
why? Because the Lord requires it at our hands for our sanctification.
·
How do trials encourage us to reach out after the things of
eternity?
·
How do trials help accomplish the purposes of God?
… Salvation
is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus
Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we
believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him?
[Missionary Work and the Atonement, Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign March 2001]
As we remain faithful, the Lord
strengthens us to overcome temptations and endure trials (p. 113)
Every man and woman who
serves the Lord, no matter how faithful they may be, have their dark hours; but
if they have lived faithfully, light will burst upon them and relief will be
furnished.11
All that is
required of us to make us perfectly safe under all circumstances of trouble or
persecution, is to do the will of God, to be honest, faithful and to keep
ourselves devoted to the principles that we have received; do right one by
another; trespass upon no man’s rights; live by every word that proceedeth from
the mouth of God and his Holy Spirit will aid and assist us under all
circumstances, and we will come out of the midst of it all abundantly blessed
in our houses, in our families, in our flocks, in our fields—and in every way
God will bless us. He will give us knowledge upon knowledge, intelligence upon
intelligence, wisdom upon wisdom.
May God add his blessing upon this people. May we be faithful to
ourselves, faithful to all the principles we have received, seeking one
another’s interests with all our heart, and God will pour out his Spirit upon
us, and we will come off victorious in the end.
Looking back on difficult times, we
see that our trials have helped us draw nearer to God (p. 114).
From my grandmother’s cross stitch: “If all of your troubles were hung on a line,
you would choose yours and I would choose mine.”
… we have afterwards
discovered that those circumstances which have been very unpleasant have often proved
of the highest advantage to us.
Every trial
a man goes through, if he is faithful in that trial and does honor to God and
his religion he has espoused, at the end of that trial or affliction that
individual is nearer to God, nearer in regard to the increase of faith, wisdom,
knowledge and power, and hence is more confident in calling upon the Lord for
those things he desires… (p. 114)
The
sacrifices you have made, the hardships you have endured and the privations you
have suffered will … sink into insignificance, and you will rejoice that you
have obtained the experience which they have furnished. … Some things we have
to learn by that which we suffer, and knowledge secured in that way, though the
process may be painful, will be of great value to us in the other life. …
(p.115)
·
What have you learned from your trials that will be of value to
you in the world to come?
·
How have your trials brought you closer to God and our Savior?
