Discussing Suffering-aka Adversity

 I searched adversity online.  I broke it down into roots and here is what I’ve come up with.  Ad means to place near or towards something.  Vers meas convertible or reverse.  ity means the state of.  The meaning I gather from this is that one who experiences adversity is in a state that is convertible or reverse In Elder Dallan H. Oaks, a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles of the LDS church, a body of elders that guide and teach members of the church and serve as representatives of Jesus Christ himself on the earth, gave a forum address at Brigham Young University and he discussed adversity. One of my favorite things he said was actually a quote from President Ezra Taft Benson “it is not on the pinnacle of success and ease where men and women grow most.  It is often down in the valley of heartache and disappointment and reverses where men and women grow into strong characters.  every reversal can be turned to our benefit and blessing and make us more strong, more courageous and more godlike”.  By definition a reversal is an unfortunate happening.  This word also means the opposite state. I think we have the power to reverse our reverses.

In D&C 121: 7-8 we read “and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes”   I sometimes want to say “prove it” but he has proven it, over and over agin in the scriptures.

  We often think of those in poverty as suffering.  My mother always says, money just makes you more of what you already are.  Can it be said that adversity makes you more of what you already are? I think it does.  One who relies on the lord will choose to do that more so in their affliction and be strengthened accordingly to become an even more faithful individual.

  Lets talk about the language of responsibility.  Using this language is about taking responsibility for all that happens to us and recognizing that things don’t usually just happen.  We don’t say, I didn’t have time to read my scriptures tonight.  If we use the language of responsibility we instead say, I didn’t make time to read the scriptures tonight because I chose other things above my scripture study.  Bottom line, we have the choice in almost everything that happens to us and granted, hard circumstances will come our way but we must choose to grow from them rather than wallow in our misery. 

In school, Im studying exercise science.  I learn in my major about the principles of weight training and spotting.  The thought came to me, Christ is our spotter.  He lifts our burdens so that we can use the rest of our force and strength to carry what we can.  Then the next time we are stronger and can carry more of our own burden.

 People often ask me what I fear most in this world.  Be it death, loss of loved ones, physical impairments, falling into sin, or scores of other trials.  I say I have no need to fear for the Lord has promised that if you are prepared and faithful, “ye shall not fear”.

Patriarchal Blessings and The Doctrine and Covenants

To compare the Doctrine and Covenants (hereafter referred to as D&C in this post) I think I must first address the purposes of each.  In the introduction to the D&C we read that "Although most of the sections are directed to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, the messages, warnings  and exhortations are for the benefit of all mankind, and contain an invitation to all people everywhere to hear the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking to them for their temporal well-being and their everlasting salvation."  The revelations given in this book are proof that God loves his children so much that he is willing to communicate with them to guide and direct them back to his presence.  These revelations only help to explain the truths found in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, which, is another testament of Jesus Christ.

Similarly, patriarchal blessings are revealed by the father to someone with the proper authority and given as guidance to those who receive their blessings.  However, these blessings are promised to individuals and the revelation that a patriarch receives is for that person alone.  These blessings are of a more sacred nature and are not typically broadcasted or published like the blessings and revelations found in the D&C.  Both blessings found in the D&C and those of patriarchal blessings are predicated on each individuals righteousness and the extend to which he or she obeys God's laws.  Individuals who have a desire to receive the fullness of Gods blessings both personal and for his entire kingdom have the opportunity to do so in studying the words of the D&C and their own blessings and adhering to the guidance given therein.

More specifically, the D&C outlines how the Church of Jesus Christ is to be organized and explains the doctrines to teach.  An interesting point about the D&C is that it often references the Bible, both the New and Old Testaments, and offers further insight and in some cases, points out important revelations that were removed or lost through the centuries by scholars, political figures, and scribes.  These modern day revelations are valuable to all religious scholars and further, to all of God's children who have ever lived.

A patriarchal blessing is given by a patriarch whose priesthood authority can be traced back to the Savior himself.  It is incredible to think that these men are in communication with the Lord and are so in tune with God, our Heavenly Father or patriarch, that they can speak for him in regards to his precious children.  God is truly our father and like any loving father on Earth, watches us and longs for us to succeed.  Success in God's eyes is to live like his son, Jesus Christ, and as we follow his guidance we will receive eternal life and become as he is.  In our patriarchal blessings he tells us of the gifts he has given us and challenges us to magnify that which he has already blessed us with.  We may gain a greater understanding of our roll in the gathering of Israel, which is to bring all his children unto him through missionary work and being good Christians.  We are sometimes warned, like in the D&C, about challenges or trials we may encounter and like any good father, He admonishes us to go forward in faith.