AdversityHyrum Smith, Church Patriarch, 1841–1844
Bonds and imprisonments and persecutions are no disgrace to the Saints. It is that that is common in all ages of the world since the days of Adam. . . . The same things produce the same effect in every age of the world. We only want the same patience, the same carefulness, the same guide, the same grace, the same faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. . . . What we do not learn by precept we may learn by experience. All these things are to make us wise and intelligent that we may be the happy recipients of the highest glory.
Letter to Mary Fielding Smith, ca. 1839, probably from Liberty Jail, Liberty, Missouri, Church Archives, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah; spelling, punctuation, and capitalization modernized.
Marion G. Romney, Apostle, 1951–1988
Speaking for
himself and his fellow prisoners, [Joseph Smith] said:
"in his Almighty name we are determined to endure
tribulation as good soldiers unto the end" (History
of the Church, 3:297). And counseling the
Saints to do likewise, he said: "let thy bowels . . .
be full of charity towards all men" (History of the
Church, 3:300). This admonition [from Liberty
Jail], considered in light of the circumstances under which
it was given, seems to me almost equal the Master's
statement from the cross: "Father, forgive them; for
they know not what they do" (Luke 23:24).
In Conference Report, Oct. 1969, 58–59; paragraph divisions altered.
Harold B. Lee, 11th President of the Church, 1972–1973
There is a
refining process that comes through suffering . . . that we
can't experience any other way than by suffering. We draw
closer to Him [Jesus Christ] who gave His life that
man might be. We feel a kinship that we have never
felt before. . . . He suffered more than we can ever
imagine. But to the extent that we have suffered, somehow it
seems to have the effect of drawing us closer to the
divine, helps to purify our souls, and helps to purge
out the things that are not pleasing in the sight of
the Lord.
Funeral Services for Alfred W. Wesemann, Dec. 8, 1969, Church Archives, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, 7; spelling, punctuation, and capitalization standardized.
Lucy Mack Smith, Mother of the Prophet Joseph Smith
Just as Joseph and
Hyrum Smith were carted off to jail in Missouri, their
mother, Lucy, appealed to see them one more time: "[A
friend] conducted us to the back part of the wagon, where
Joseph sat, and said, 'Mr. Smith, your mother and sister are
here, and wish to shake hands with you.' Joseph crowded his
hand through between the cover and wagon, and we caught hold
of it. . . . 'Joseph, do speak to your poor mother once
more? I cannot bear to go till I hear your voice.' 'God
bless you, mother!' he sobbed out. Then a cry was raised,
and the wagon dashed off."
Lucy Smith, History of the Prophet Joseph Smith, rev. George A. Smith and Elias Smith, (1902), 250.
Orson F. Whitney, Apostle, 1906–1931
No pain that we
suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It
ministers to our education, 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 [in heaven].
Quoted by Spencer W. Kimball, "Tragedy or Destiny," Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, Dec. 6, 1955, 6.
|
