The lesson April 21st wass on "Faith in the Face of Adversity" was given by Jana Harris.
"Its not the load that breaks you, its the way you carry it!"
Jana told the stories of Lorenzo Snow during the times in 1846 when the Saints were forced to leave their homes in Nauvoo and camp in temporary settlements waiting for the weather to clear so that they could make the journey across the mountains. At the Mt. Pisca settlement, even though the Saints were in dire circumstances and the poor conditions spread illnesses that took many lives, they depended on and took care of each other. So that they would not focus on those circumstances, Lorenzo Snow got the poeple up and created projects so that they would be busy. While they were getting ready to move on, they also establishes houses for worship, planted crops for the Saints who would follow, and encouraged social activities. President Snow told of a social gathering at his mansion (a 15 X 30 foot wooden structure with a dirt floor) where they covered the floor with straw, put their bed sheets on the walls, and put candles in hollowed out turnips for festive lighting. Everyone had a wonderful time and the event gave everyone a break from their poor conditions.
It is impossible to work out our salvation without adversity. When we focus on the negative or difficult things we are called to do, it compounds the impact of those circumstances and makes it more difficult to receive help from the Holy Spirit.
Sister Harris asked the group "What advice would you give someone who is having a difficult time?" Here are some of the responses:
1. Focus on the words to or sing a spiritual hymn (Be Still My Soul was suggested)2. Read scriptures. I Nephi 3:7 gives strength in time of need3. Remember: If God Brings you to it, He will bring you through it!4. Focus on Jesus' sacrifice, the Infinite Atonement, and how He bore his burden without complaining EVER.5. Read the 23rd Psalm
Elder Bednar gave a speech at BYU Idaho on "Not Shrinking Through Our Trials"... to learn to face adversity, with God's help! He quotes Elder Neal Maxwell as saying "I have learned that not shrinking is more important than surviving." A young couple who had been married only 3 weeks discovered that the young man had terminal cancer and sought the counsel of Elder Bednar. Before giving him a blessing, Elder Bednar asked the young man: "Do you have the faith NOT to be healed? Would he be willing to submit to God's will and timing for his life?" The young man later told Elder Bednar that after much soul searching he had come to the conculsion that he had total faith that God COULD heal him and that whether or not he WOULD heal him was up to Him!
Many people become discouraged because they do not have the blessings that they think they should have or that they think they are worthy of. They often fall of the path because they are discouraged and need to be rescued.
Sister Harris told us here personal story of having breast cancer and after 3 surgeries, learning that her 4 year old daughter had an inoperable brain tumor. Her daughter living only a year after the diagnosis, but Sister Harris was grateful that her own illness allowed her the time to be with her daughter most of the time through her last year.
Enduring our trials without bitterness brings blessings after the storm has passed. Trials strengthen your soul. Sometimes God calms the storm, and sometimes God lets the storm rage and calms His child.
Everyone has heard the admonition that when you lift something heavy, don't lift with your back. Lift with your knees. When your burden get heavy, you lift them ON your knees, asking for God's help. "Its not the load that breaks you, its the way you carry it!
