President Henry B. Eyring: Adversity comes to all
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"With all the differences in our lives we have at least one challenge in common," said President Henry B. Eyring during the Saturday morning session of general conference. "We all must deal with adversity. There may be periods, sometimes long ones, when our lives seem to flow with little difficulty. But it is in the nature of our being human that comfort gives way to distress, periods of good health come to an end, and misfortunes arrive."
Recognizing that all face adversity in life, President Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, addressed the common response of those with adversity in their path.
The questioning, especially when watching loved ones struggle or seeing the afflictions of those deemed blameless, can oftentimes cause doubt and shake a person's faith in a loving and powerful God. In some cases, President Eyring pointed out, doubt has infected a whole generation of people in times of war or famine.
"My purpose today is to assure you that our Heavenly Father and the Savior live and that They love all humanity," he said. "The very opportunity for us to face adversity and affliction is part of the evidence of their infinite love."
President Eyring spoke of the preparation period of mortality, and said that God is preparing His children through an earthly experience to qualify to live forever in eternal life.
Part of that preparation includes a transformation one must go through by making righteous choices when that is hard to do.
"That education can come only as we are subject to trials while serving God and others for Him," he said. "In this education we experience misery and happiness, sickness and health, the sadness from sin, and the joy of forgiveness.
"That forgiveness can come only through the infinite Atonement of the Savior, which He worked out through pain we could not bear, and which we can only faintly comprehend. It will comfort us when we must wait in distress for the Savior's promised relief that He knows, from experience, how to heal and help us."
President Eyring referred to Christ as He took upon Himself the pains and sicknesses of His people (see Alma 7:11-13). Comfort comes with the knowledge of the Lord's infinite Atonement. Still, adversity may be hard.
"Even when you feel the truth of that capacity and kindness of the Lord to deliver you in your trials, it may still test your courage and strength to endure," he said.
President Eyring spoke of the Prophet Joseph, and his agonizing experience in Liberty Jail, and the comforting words of the Lord: "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands. Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgressions, as they did Job" (Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-10).
"The Lord's reply has helped me and can encourage us all in times of darkness. … "I have seen faith and courage come from a testimony that it is true that we are being prepared for eternal life. The Lord will rescue His faithful disciples. And the disciple who accepts a trial as an invitation to grow and therefore qualify for eternal life can find peace in the midst of the struggle."
President Eyring spoke of some of the struggles facing Church members today.
He told of a young father who lost his job and, despite unemployment, stayed calm. When asked how he remained calm, the young father said his life was in order and he had done all he could to be worthy of the Lord's help. Through his faith in Christ, he was obedient to the commandments even when it was hard to so.
President Eyring taught of the need for all to prepare for adversity during prosperous times in order to have the faith needed and qualify for help before a crisis comes. The young father, he explained, had done more than just put away food and money; he had prepared his heart to be worthy of the Lord's help. Rather than letting tragedy erode his faith, it tested and strengthened it, said President Eyring.
"The Lord always suits the relief to the person in need to best strengthen and purify them," he said. "Often it will come in the inspiration to do what might seem especially hard for the person who needs help."
President Eyring spoke of other trials facing Church members today. He referred to the pain of losing a spouse and the difficulties of age and illness. All of these encounters with adversity are part of a plan that will lead the saints back to a loving Heavenly Father, President Eyring said.
"I bear you my testimony that God the Father lives. He set a course for each of us that can polish and perfect us to be with Him. I testify that the Savior lives. His Atonement makes it possible our being purified as we keep His commandments and our sacred covenants. And I know from my own experience that He can and will give us strength to rise through every trial."
