I'm not sure how I first came across elizaswish.org but I've stopped by a couple times. While there, I read this quote by Orson F. Whitney that I recorded, and present here.
"No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God... and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven."
It's a pretty strong statement. For me, the part about enduring patiently is probably the hardest.
It reminds me of a scripture I read a couple nights ago that really stood out. It's Mosiah 27:21
"21 And he caused that a multitude should be gathered together that they might witness what the Lord had done for his son, and also for those that were with him."
What was interesting to me about this verse is specifically the way it was worded. Alma rejoiced and gathered together people to witness what had been done FOR his son. Granted, Alma the younger experienced a life-changing experience and went on to bless many, many people. But the word "for" still really is interesting to me.
Most of us, when enduring trials, (myself included) frequently wonder "why is this happening TO me?" instead of being grateful that our trials are happening FOR us. I have a really hard time with this, but I hope that I can focus more on what's happening FOR me to build me up as a better person. And if I can focus more on enduring patiently, I can receive all the blessings that Orson Whitney spoke of.
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