Now and again, as I study, I learn something.
Some little thing that forever alters my views.
Or answers some nagging doubt or question.
(I have those sometimes - especially during trials.)
Such an answer was in Lesson 22 from John Taylor:
(Teachings of the Presidents of
the Church.)
Being Perfected Through Trials.
Prophets
declare we all WILL face trials.
John
Taylor taught, "You and I cannot be made perfect except through
suffering: Jesus could not (Hebrews 2:10). ... there is no other way .... It is
the process by which knowledge is increased and peace will ultimately be
established universally. ...(page 111)."
Such
declarations leave my heart cold.
I waffle
there - must I really?
Thankfully
prophets also declare solutions and concise instructions. They tell us to
"Cease to fear" (Richard G. Scott 7 April 2013).
Such
were also the teachings of Elder Jefferey R. Holland on 7 April 2013. He told
the classic story of a troubled child and a parent's agony from Mark Ch. 9.
"Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to
him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said
with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. (Mark 9:23-24)."
Elder
Holland taught, " The father asserts his strength first and only then
acknowledges his limitations. His initial declaration is affirmative and
without hesitation." He encouraged us that we have more faith than we
think and we can start where we are.
"In
moments of fear, or doubt or troubling times, hold the ground you have already
won," he
said, "even if that ground is limited. In the growth we all have to
experience in mortality the spiritual equivalent of this boy's affliction or
this parent's desperation is going to come to all of us. When those moments
come and issues surface, the resolution of which is not immediately forthcoming,
hold fast to what you already know until additional knowledge comes."
President
Taylor taught, "We complain sometimes about our trials. We need not
do that. These are things that are necessary for our perfection. We think
sometimes that we are not rightly treated, and I think we think correctly about
some of these things. We think there are plots set on foot to entrap us; and I
think we think so very correctly. At the same time we need not be astonished at
these things. We need not be amazed at a feeling of hatred and animosity. Why?
Because we are living in a peculiar day and age of the world; which is
distinctively called the latter days.
I know that as other men we have our trials, afflictions, sorrows, and
privations. We meet with difficulties; we have to contend with the world, with
the powers of darkness, with the corruptions of men, and a variety of evils;
yet at the same time through these things we have to be made perfect. It is
necessary that we should have a knowledge of ourselves, of our true position
and standing before God, and comprehend our strength and weakness; our
ignorance and intelligence, our wisdom and our folly, that we may know how to
appreciate true principles, and comprehend and put a proper value upon all
things as they present themselves before our minds.
It is necessary that we should know our own weaknesses, and the weaknesses of
our fellow men; our own strength as well as the strength of others; and
comprehend our true position before God, angels, and men; that we may be
inclined to treat all with due respect, and not to over value our own wisdom or
strength, nor depreciate it, nor that of others; but put our trust in the
living God, and follow after him, and realize that we are his children, and
that he is our Father, and that our dependence is upon him, and that every
blessing we receive flows from his beneficent hand (page 203)."
Thank you President Taylor.
Perhaps I can accept my life with
more grace.
I have experienced learning about
myself as you say.
I do know myself better because
of trials.
I do comprehend my own "strength
and weakness" better.
I am willing to learn my "true
position before God".
I want to "appreciate
true principles".
I accept that all "flows
from his beneficent hand".
I testify that
the additional knowledge and help promised by the prophets, like Elder Holland,
does come. God is omnipotent and loving. He is mindful of us and does help and
bless us, even if only to strengthen us like Alma's people (Mosiah 24).
I am nearing
the end of my Book of Mormon classes. This past week I read:“And Christ
hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do
whatsoever thing is expedient in me … for it is by faith that miracles are
wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men … (Moroni
7:33).”
My
student manual, page 391, quoted Elder Holland teaching, “that one of the
profound themes of the Book of Mormon is the role and prevalence and central
participation of angels in the gospel story ….” Elder Holland's teachings
then expanded my understanding about “those more personal ministering angels
who are with us and around us, empowered to help us and who do exactly that
(Ensign Jan 1996, 16-17).” Why am I so surprised? I have read and heard
such promises many times. General Conference talks in 2011 were peppered with
such references but this time I heard so much more and felt powerful comfort
and hope from the promises for such help.
In General
Conference Elder Holland encouraged us to "hope on, journey on .... even
if you can no more than desire to believe." He promised, on Sunday
afternoon, "God will send help from both sides of the veil."
I am so
grateful for scriptures and prophets. I feel so weak and foolish. Why am I
troubled by the simple things of this life? With the father of the possessed
son I too cry “Lord, I
believe; help thou mine unbelief (Mark 9:24).”
