"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength."Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." - Isa. 40:28-31.

"Into every life there come the painful, despairing days of adversity and buffeting," said Elder James E. Faust, then of the Quorum of the Twelve and now second counselor in the First Presidency, at the April 1979 general conference. "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."

Elder Faust said that this change comes about through a refining process that 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.

"In our extremities, it is possible to become born again, born anew, renewed in heart and spirit. We no longer ride with the flow of the crowd, but instead we enjoy the promise of Isaiah to be renewed in our strength and `mount up with wings as eagles.' (Isa. 40:31)

"The proving of one's faith goes before the witnessing, for Moroni testified, `Ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.' (Ether 12:6.) This trial of faith can become a priceless experience. Stated Peter, `That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.' (1 Pet. 1:7.) Trials and adversity can be preparatory to becoming born anew."