Yes, every test, every trial, every challenge and hardship you endure is an opportunity to further develop your faith. (See D&C 63:11; D&C 101:4.)
I have family members and friends that face trials. When someone I love is having a hard time or makes a poor decision (in my opinion), my heart aches for them and for me. I feel sad. There seem to be many people who give up on God, who choose not to keep their covenants, who look for some other way to support the lifestyle and choices they want rather than to trust God's plan.
I have always loved the story of
Moroni and the Title of Liberty For some reason I always thought that the Title of Liberty was a result of war with the Lamanites. Reading this time, I realize that it was actually members of the church that no longer wanted to follow the prophet and had chosen Amalickiah to be their king in hopes of bettering their power and position. Those people who were choosing another way were angry with the believers (those who steadfastly kept covenants and followed the prophet). Those who followed the power hungry Amalickiah were led by his flatteries.
Alma 46
8 Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord their God, yea, how quick to do iniquity, and to be led away by the evil one.
9 Yea, and we also see the great wickedness one very wicked man can cause to take place among the children of men.
10 Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous’ sake.
A dear friend of mine recently declared on Facebook her new found freedom in leaving behind gospel teachings. She received all kinds of accolades and flatteries in the comments. I couldn't help but think of the same kind of flatteries that were common to dissenters of this time. The Nephite people had just been blessed with an amazing victory over the Lamanites and Zarahemna and yet these people refused to acknowledge God's help and his law. Once again, people of our day are following a similar pattern that they think is something new and amazing and they are really following the same pattern of people in the Book of Mormon.
It is at this time that Captain Moroni rent his coat (I am pretty sure that is a sign of great sorrow and disappointment) and wrote upon it.
In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.
I had an amazing and faith building experience listening to
General Conference where I heard from the Lord's prophets and apostles. Here I was taught to love the Lord and serve others. Why anyone would call that evil is beyond my understanding. Moroni prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren (all true believers of Christ). In conference we were given the guidance and prayed for so that we, too, could remain faithful followers of Christ.
We are in a war against Satan. He is attacking the church of Jesus Christ from the inside. He only has power over us as we give in to him. If we want real power, we stand with Christ. We trust in the tokens and covenants he has given us.
21 And it came to pass that when Moroni had proclaimed these words, behold, the people came running together with their armor girded about their loins, rending their garments in token, or as a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God; or, in other words, if they should transgress the commandments of God, or fall into transgression, and be ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ, the Lord should rend them even as they had rent their garments.
It could be a very difficult time, and it is disappointing to see believers fall away. I am comforted with the words of
President Russell Nelson as he explains the many times that God uses our difficulties to build us, to show us his power and the importance of trusting him and recognizing him. Just like the story of Gideon in
Judges 7 where he reduces the army down to 300, impossible odds so that there is no denying God's hand. He promises the great posterity of Abraham to come through Sarah, an older woman who can't possibly have a baby. He sent his son to be born of a virgin, impossible. But he told Mary
“For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37).
Even in our day it is against "impossible" odds that we seek to build the kingdom of God. It is not because of a great leader or our own efforts, it is because with God's help nothing is impossible. It is because God can perform miracles with small and simple things, small and simple people who willingly trust the Lord, do their best, enjoy the power of grace and the atonement, and expect miracles.
Even in the midst of difficulty and trials there are regular miracles and tender mercies every step of the way. Always so much to be thankful for and to recognize for those who seek to see the hand of God each day.
A long time ago I participated in a training where we were encouraged to choose a mission statement. Instantly these words came to my mind. Although they were very different from everyone else's statements, they have remained a true mission statement that I embrace.
"I know who I am. I know God's plan. I follow Him in faith."
That is who I am. Who I choose to be. Who I am called to be and I will gladly stand for truth and righteous. Truth will prevail. I am a daughter of God who loves me and I love him. He can depend on me to stay true, keep my covenants and not ever be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I will continue to depend on him. I will pray always. I will seek His guidance. I know I can depend on him. Together we can do anything and everything he may ask of me. I love my Heavenly Father. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I will follow His prophets here on the earth and I will do all in my power to raise up a righteous family. I will love freely and confidently. I will have faith, hope and charity.
I know that though times are hard, God can use those times to refine me and purify me and make me more of what he sees in me. It is those hard times that I come to truly know God.
I want to remember these great reference when I am needing strength and courage, also from
President Nelson's talk.
A third theme in the scriptures requisite for significant accomplishment is difficult to summarize in one word, so I shall link two to describe it—strength and courage. Repeatedly, scriptures yoke these attributes of character together, especially when difficult challenges are to be conquered (see Deut. 31:6, 7, 23; Josh. 1:6, 7, 9, 18; Josh. 10:25; 1 Chr. 22:13; 1 Chr. 28:20; 2 Chr. 32:7; Ps. 27:14; Ps. 31:24; Alma 43:43; Alma 53:20).
I keep finding more help in understanding hard times or times when we get confused or discouraged. Here are some more ideas.
