* I gave a talk last Sunday on overcoming adversity. In reading many talks given by General Authorities, I found strength to push through the trials that I currently am dealing with. This talk was exactly what I needed to be asked to do so that I could find these quotes and have them change my perspective on the adversity in my life. I hope that this can help you to understand how much our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ love each and everyone of us.*
My talk today is primarily based on a
conference talk given by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin titled: “Come What May, and
Love It”. This specific talk has always stood out in my mind. IT has helped me
to keep perspective as I go through adversity in my life.
President Monson said, “Mortality is a
period of testing, a time to prove ourselves worthy to return to the presence
of our Heavenly Father. In order for us to be tested, we must face challenges
and difficulties. These can break us, and the surface of our souls may crack
and crumble—that is, if our foundations of faith, our testimonies of truth are
not deeply embedded within us.”
Think about
it. Has there ever been a person who did not have to go through his or her own
dark valley of temptation, trial, and sorrow?
President Uchtdorf stated, “The scriptures tell us there
must be opposition in all things, for without it we could not discern the sweet
from the bitter. Would the marathon runner feel the triumph of finishing the
race had she not felt the pain of the hours of pushing against her limits?
Would the pianist feel the joy of mastering an intricate sonata without the
painstaking hours of practice?
Adversity teaches us things we cannot learn otherwise. Adversity helps to
develop a depth of character that comes in no other way. Our loving Heavenly
Father has set us in a world filled with challenges and trials so that we,
through opposition, can learn wisdom, become stronger, and experience joy.”
Elder
Wirthlin said, “You will
experience your own adversity. None is exempt. You will suffer, be tempted, and make
mistakes. You will learn for yourself what every heroine has learned: through
overcoming challenges comes growth and strength.”
The
way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we
can be in life.
Elder
Wirthin said,
“When I was young I loved playing sports, and I have many fond memories
of those days. But not all of them are pleasant. I remember one day after my
football team lost a tough game, I came home feeling discouraged. My mother was
there. She listened to my sad story. She taught her children to trust in
themselves and each other, not blame others for their misfortunes, and give
their best effort in everything they attempted.
When we fell down, she expected us to pick ourselves up
and get going again. So the advice my mother gave to me then wasn’t altogether
unexpected. It has stayed with me all my life.
“Joseph,” she said, “come what may, and love it.”
I think she may have meant that every life has peaks and
shadows and times when it seems that the birds don’t sing and bells don’t ring.
Yet in spite of discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to
have a way of learning from difficult times, becoming stronger, wiser, and
happier as a result.”
How can we
love days that are filled with sorrow? We can’t—at least not in the moment.
Elder
Wirthlin goes on to say, “I
don’t think my mother was suggesting that we suppress discouragement or deny
the reality of pain. I don’t think she was suggesting that we smother
unpleasant truths beneath a cloak of pretended happiness. But I do believe that
the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful
we can be in life.”
If we
approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth,
which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness.
Elder
Wirthlin gave four different steps that can help us keep perspective as we go
through adversity. The first step in doing this is to:
1.
Learn to
Laugh
Elder
Wirthlin recalled this memory: “I
remember loading up our children in a station wagon and driving to Los Angeles.
There were at least nine of us in the car, and we would invariably get lost.
Instead of getting angry, we laughed. Every time we made a wrong turn, we
laughed harder.
Getting lost was not an unusual occurrence for us. Once
while heading south to Cedar City, Utah, we took a wrong turn and didn’t
realize it until two hours later when we saw the “Welcome to Nevada” signs. We
didn’t get angry. We laughed, and as a result, anger and resentment rarely
resulted. Our laughter created cherished memories for us.”
(Personal Experience) I love this
step in helping us to deal with adversity that is thrown in our way. It’s not
easy to remember to laugh, especially when things haven’t been going our way. I
remember one day when I was younger, my parents went out on a date and my
siblings and I were left at home. It was winter time and we were cold so we
started a fire in the fireplace. Everything was fine until my brother and sister
decided to argue over who would get to poke the fire and move the wood inside
around so that it was burning more even. After poking the fire a few times my brother
pushed my sister to the side so that she couldn’t get the poker from him. While
trying to keep my sister away from the poker, he ended up placing the poker on
our carpet. A couple seconds later we smelled something burning. We realized
that my brother had burned the carpet and when he picked up the poker, the
carpet had a perfect poker shape melted into it. He was so upset and worried at
how my parents would react. We called a neighbor (who happened to be my husband’s
father) and he came over and helped us to re-arrange the floor rug and
furniture so that it covered the burned spot. A little while later, my parents
returned home. After walking in, it was obvious to them that we had rearranged
the furniture and they asked why. One of us finally told them after a minute or
two what happened. My parents walked over to the burnt part of the carpet, lifted
up the rug and just laughed. We all started laughing and to this day have very
fond memories of the carpet burned in the shaped of the poker. My parents could
have easily been upset and made a big deal out of what happened (especially
because it cost a lot of money later on to replace it), but instead they
decided to laughed about it.
The next
time you’re tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead. It will extend
your life and make the lives of all those around you more enjoyable.
The second step
is to:
2.
Seek for the
Eternal
Elder Wirthlin said, "You may feel singled out when adversity enters your life.
You shake your head and wonder, “Why me?”
But the dial on the wheel of sorrow eventually points to
each of us. At one time or another, everyone must experience sorrow. No one is
exempt."
The
scriptures show great examples of noble men and women such as Abraham, Sarah,
Enoch, Moses, Joseph, Emma, and Brigham. Each of them experienced adversity and
sorrow that tried, fortified, and refined their characters.
Elder Wirthlin
said, “Learning to endure
times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job
training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are
precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our
character, and increase our compassion for others.”
Because Jesus Christ suffered greatly, He understands our
suffering. He understands our grief. We experience hard things so that we too
may have increased compassion and understanding for others.
Remember the
words of the Savior to the Prophet Joseph Smith when he suffered with his
companions in the darkness of Liberty Jail:
“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.”
Elder Wirthlin continued, "With that eternal perspective, Joseph took comfort from
these words, and so can we. Sometimes the very moments that seem to overcome us
with suffering are those that will ultimately suffer us to overcome."
(Personal Experience) It’s hard to
keep perspective while going through adversity. Sometimes I have felt “singled
out” and have asked “why me”. While going through a very hard a personal trial right now, I’ve found
comfort in knowing that my Heavenly Father loves me and is aware of my
situation. I’ve also looked to my Patriarchal Blessing knowing that as I
continue to live my life righteously I will receive all that has been promised
to me.
We can read
the scriptures, pray and also look to our Patriarchal Blessings for answers to
our problems and the strength to overcome our adversity.
President
Monson said,
“Your patriarchal blessing is yours
and yours alone. It may be brief or lengthy, simple or profound. Length and
language do not a patriarchal blessing make. It is the Spirit that conveys the
true meaning. Your blessing is not to be folded neatly and tucked away. It is
not to be framed or published. Rather, it is to be read. It is to be loved. It
is to be followed. Your patriarchal blessing will see you through the darkest
night. It will guide you through life’s dangers. … Your patriarchal blessing is
to you a personal Liahona to chart your course and guide your way. Patience may be required as we watch,
wait, and work for a promised blessing to be fulfilled.”
The third
thing we can do to overcome adversity is to:
3.
Understand the
Principle of Compensation
Elder
Wirthlin stated, “The Lord
compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those
who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come
at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will
eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude.
One of the blessings of the gospel is the knowledge that
when the curtain of death signals the end of our mortal lives, life will
continue on the other side of the veil. There we will be given new
opportunities. Not even death can take from us the eternal blessings promised
by a loving Heavenly Father.”
Because
Heavenly Father is merciful, a principle of compensation prevails. I have seen
this in my own life.
(Personal Experience) I’ve learned
this principle of compensation since the passing of my older brother a few
years ago. Since his passing, my family and I have been blessed beyond measure.
We have been blessed with so many experiences from our Heavenly Father in
knowing that my brother is happy, healthy and doing the Lord’s work beyond the
veil. These special moments and tender mercies have helped my family and me to
keep perspective and know that our Heavenly wants each of us to know just how
much He loves us.
The fourth
thing we can do to help overcome adversity in our lives is to put our
4.
Trust in our
Heavenly Father and His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
“God so
loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.” The Lord Jesus Christ is our partner,
helper, and advocate. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to be successful. If
we do our part, He will step in.
He who
descended below all things will come to our aid. He will comfort and uphold us.
He will strengthen us in our weakness and fortify us in our distress. He will
make weak things become strong.
Elder
Wirthlin stated, “The simple
secret is this: put your trust in the Lord, do your best, then leave the rest
to Him.”
President
Uchtdorf said, “Heavenly
Father offers to you the greatest gift of all—eternal life—and the opportunity
and infinite blessing of your own “happily ever after.”
Isn’t it remarkable to know that our eternal Heavenly
Father knows you, hears you, watches over you, and loves you with an infinite
love? In fact, His love for you is so great that He has granted you this
earthly life as a precious gift of “once upon a time,” complete with your own
true story of adventure, trial, and opportunities for greatness, nobility, courage,
and love. And, most glorious of all, He offers you a gift beyond price and
comprehension. Heavenly Father offers to you the greatest gift of all—eternal
life—and the opportunity and infinite blessing of your own “happily ever
after.”
There are those among you who, have already suffered a
full measure of grief and sorrow. How dear you are to the Church. How beloved
you are of your Heavenly Father. Though it may seem that you are alone, angels
attend you. Though you may feel that no one can understand the depth of your
despair, our Savior, Jesus Christ,
understands. He suffered more than we can possibly imagine, and He did it for
us; He did it for you. You are not alone.
Enduring adversity is not the only thing you must do to experience a happy
life. How you react to adversity and temptation is a critical factor in whether or not
you arrive at your own “happily ever after.”
President
Monson gives these comforting words, “Remember that you do not walk alone. … As
you walk through life, always walk toward the light, and the shadows of life
will fall behind you.
Conclusion
Elder Wirthling stated, "I know why there must be opposition in all things.
Adversity, if handled correctly, can be a blessing in our lives. We can learn
to love it."
As we look
for humor, seek for the eternal perspective, understand the principle of
compensation, and draw near to our Heavenly Father, we can endure hardship and
trial. We can say, as Elder Wirthlin’s mother did, “Come what may, and love
it.”
I’m so
thankful for the knowledge that I have of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know
that Heavenly Father is our Father and loves each and every one of us. I know
that Jesus Christ is our Savior and has suffered for our sins, afflictions, and
sorrows. He knows and understands what we are each going through. I know that
if we turn to Him He can help us through our adversity. I know that the Book of
Mormon is the word of God and as we read the scriptures we can find peace and
comfort in knowing that our Heavenly Father loves us. I know that we have a
living prophet on earth today, Thomas S. Monson. I know that the things he says
to us are the things that our Heavenly Father wants us to know. I know that as
we strive to live our lives worthy of the eternal blessings that are given to
us, we can overcome the adversity that comes our way and be proud of the life
that we have lived. These things I say in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
