Trials

A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him. ~ David Brinkley

Beauty in Trials

But he who dares not grasp the thorn
Should never crave the rose.
- Anne Brontë

A great Endowment

The Saints were in the midst of great persecution in Missouri and Joseph Smith counseled them:

For behold, I have prepared a great endowment and blessing to be poured out upon them, inasmuch as they are faithful and continue in humility before me. D&C 105:12

I want to be faithful. Sometimes my faith wavers, and then I remember to be strong. I have no problems compared to the Missouri Saints.

Support in Trials

As Alma the Younger talked to his son Helaman, he told him:

And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day. Alma 36:3

Coming from Alma, this is a powerful statement for he had been through hard times and had come through it all faithfully. This scripture gives me courage to go on.

Tribulation, a Blessing?

I have a good way to tell how spiritual a day I've had. If I can look at the little irritations I've been through as a blessing, I'm doing well. Some days I can't do that. So I just have to tell Heavenly Father I'll start over again tomorrow, and ask for His patience.

For after much tribulation, as I have said unto you in a former commandment, cometh the blessing. D&C 103:12
 

Patience

Paul wrote to the Romans, "But we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience." Romans 5:3.

I am not as faithful as Paul. I can't say that I glory in tribulations. I am grateful for the patience I learn from my trials, but I don't like them well enough to 'glory' in them.

More Precious than Gold

I dislike the trials in my life, but I know there are blessings in each one. I would never want to go through those hard times again, but I know I grew up because of them.


Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 1:6 - 7