Trails and Crucibles in Life (Ch 23)

     This is such a big topic that I feel that I can barely touch on it.  Everyone experiences things differently.  That is why we are unique.  Trials come at us from every direction and in many different ways.  This chapter specifically focus on Illness, Loss, Death, and Bereavement.  I don't feel I can adequately give any advice so I will give the advice of the prophets.

President James E. Faust:

"Into every life there come the painful, despairing days of adversity and buffeting.  There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful.  The thorns that prick, that stick in the flesh, that hurt, often change lives which seem robbed of significance and hope.  This changes comes about through a refining process which often seems cruel and hard.  In this way the soul can become like soft clay in the hands of the Master in building lives of faith, usefulness, beauty, and strength.  For some, the refiner's fire causes a loss of belief and faith in God, but those with eternal perspective understand that such refining is part of the perfection process."

A Mormon Message about the "refiners fire"

President Spencer W. Kimball

"If we looked at mortality as the whole of existence, then pain, sorrow, failure, and short life could be a calamity.  But if we look upon life as an eternal thing stretching far into the premortal past and on into the eternal pose-death future, then all happenings may be put into proper perspective."

Elder Bruce C. Hafen

"Our understanding of the Atonement is hardly a shield against sorrow; rather, it is a rich source of strength to deal productively with the disappointments and heartbreaks that form the deliberate fabric of mortal life.  The gospel helps us to heal our pain, not necessarily to prevent it."

"Somehow, our joyful experiences mean more when we are fully conscious of the alternatives and the contrasts that surround us.  We prize the sweet more when we have tasted the bitter.  We appreciate our health when we see sickness... These contracts do not deter our idealism.  Properly understood, they only make the moments of the true joy worth waiting for.  

     There are so many quotes that are out there.  Messages of comfort, healing and peace.  I leave you with a few mormon messages that really illustrate the power of the Atonement.  Also I really recommend a book that goes along with one of the messages.  Let it Go: A True Story of Tragedy and Forgiveness is about how a man had to go through losing his wife and several children to a drunk driver.  He not only forgave this man who did this to him but he did so much more.  It is a great story.

     Before I post the last few videos I want to leave you my testimony.  I have no doubt that someone has experienced exactly what you have gone through.  The Savior understands us intimately and deeply.  He knows what we are feeling.  But not only does he know and completely understand our feelings, he knows how to make us feel peace and joy.  That is why he did what he did on the cross and in the garden of Gethsemane.  The family and marriage are essential to God's plan of happiness.  It is within families that the greatest joy can come from.  I wish I could reach out right now and help you.  Whatever your struggle and trial I wish I could.  But I do know someone who can help you RIGHT NOW.  Get on your knees and talk to your Father in Heaven.  He is there and he is listening.  You may not feel anything right away.  You might feel a ton.  But He is there and He is listening.  If we will but learn to have a little more patience we will see.  Elder Paul Johnson said "A pattern in the scriptures and in life shows that many times the darkest, most dangerous tests immediately precede remarkable events and tremendous growth.   Hang in there a little longer and he will bless you immensely.