Quoting President Gordon B. Hinckley's observation that the "Golden Years" are filled with more lead than gold, President James E. Faust explained why he was sitting down as he addressed the Saturday morning session of general conference. President Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, said that he was recovering from a slipped disk, causing a pinched nerve, a condition from which, he was told, he could expect a full recovery.

Photo by Tom Smart/Deseret Morning News

Speaking from seated position to favor a pinched nerve in his back, President James E. Faust emphasizes that faith is required for the times of testing in mortality.

He declared that finding joy and happiness in an increasingly unjust world requires making an unequivocal stand with the Lord. "We need to try to be faithful every hour of every day so that our foundation of trust in the Lord will never be shaken," he said. He described his message as "one of hope and counsel directed to those who may wonder about the seemingly unfair distribution of pain, suffering, disaster and heartache in this life."

He observed that some might ask why they were born with physical or mental limitations, or what they did to deserve heartache, or why loved ones suffer even though they are righteous, why a baby dies, why the Lord doesn't answer prayers in a manner wished.

" 'Life isn't fair. We know some people who have done some very bad things and yet they seem to have everything they want or need,' " he said in quoting a complaint by some.

"Now all of this suffering might indeed be unfair if everything ended at death, but it doesn't," President Faust said. "Life is not like a one-act play. It has three acts. We had a past act when we were in the pre-mortal existence; we now have a present act, which is mortality; and we will have a future act, when we return to God."

God's children were sent into mortality to be tried and tested, he added. Paul taught that past and present suffering cannot compare to the glory of eternity.

But some, who lack faith or understanding of the eternal plan, become bitter and lose hope. President Faust spoke of an accomplished 19th century writer whose life was staggered by a series of heavy blows. The writer found himself in financial debt, several close family members died and his own health declined. His writing, once full of sparkle, soon reflected his bitterness. He became depressed, cynical and disillusioned and remained so until his death.

"With all his brilliance he lacked the inner strength to deal with adversity and simply resigned himself to his misfortunes," President Faust said.

Each person, he added, needs a storehouse of faith "to help us rise above the troubles that are part of this mortal probation."

President Faust then shared the account of Thomas Giles, a Welsh convert who joined the Church in 1844. Brother Giles had lost his sight in a mining accident. Still, he was promised in a priesthood blessing that he would do much good for the Church. He left his homeland in 1856 and traveled to America, where he joined a handcart company and headed to the Salt Lake Valley. While crossing the plains his wife and two children died.

"His sorrow was great and his heart almost broken, but his faith did not fail him," President Faust said. After arriving in Salt Lake City, Brother Giles brightened the lives of others with music as he traveled from settlement to settlement in Utah, skillfully playing a borrowed harp.

President Faust said the manner by which some exercise their God-given moral agency explains why some things happen in people's lives.

"Some of our choices have unforeseen results, which may be good or bad. But often we know in advance that our choices will have detrimental or even harmful consequences. I call these 'informed choices' because we know our acts will have disastrous results. These informed choices include illicit sex relations, and the use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco. Such poor informed choices may prevent a person from going on a mission or receiving temple blessings."

So where should each person make a stand? President Faust asked. He said that this life is a time of sifting and refining, that all face trials and that early members such as Brother Giles had to decide if they "had the faith."

"In our time we are going through an increasingly difficult time of refining and testing," he said. "The tests are more subtle because the lines between good and evil are being eroded. Very little seems to be sacred in any of our public communication. In this environment we will need to make sure where we stand all of the time in our commitment to eternal truths and covenants."

Job, after losing his property and children, continued to trust God. He knew that his Redeemer lived and was his salvation. He completely trusted in the Lord to take care of his many concerns.

"The way to find joy in this life is to resolve, like Job, to endure all for God and His work," President Faust said. "By doing so we will receive the infinite, priceless joy of being with our Savior in the eternities."

Enlisting a quote from President Howard W. Hunter, President Faust said, "God knows what we do not know and sees what we do not see." No one knows the wisdom of the Lord.

"We do not know in advance exactly how He would get us from where we are to where we need to be, but He does offer us broad outlines in our patriarchal blessings," President Faust added. "We encounter many bumps, bends, and forks in the road of life that lead to the eternities. There is so much teaching and correction as we travel on that road. Said the Lord, 'He that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom.' 'For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.' "

As God's children live on earth they must walk in faith, nothing doubting, said President Faust.

"When the journey becomes seemingly unbearable, we can take comfort in the words of the Lord, 'I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee.' Some of the healing may take place in another world. We may never know why some things happen in this life. The reason for some of our suffering is known only to the Lord."

There is much reason to hope. Joy can be realized if people are willing to sacrifice all for the Lord.

"Then we can look forward to the infinitely priceless possibility of overcoming all the challenges of this life," President Faust said. "Then we will be with the Savior forever and, as President Brigham Young also said, "anticipate enjoying the glory, excellency and exaltation which God has prepared for the faithful.' "

In his remarks, President Faust also noted the recent passing of Elder Neal A. Maxwell and Elder David B. Haight, calling them "men of strength and faith." He also welcomed Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Elder David A. Bednar to the Quorum of the Twelve.