Adversity

 “I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else, … knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty” 


--Joseph Smith Quoted Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 304

Adversity

 “No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God … and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven”


--Orson F. Whitney Quoted in Faith Precedes the Miracle, p98

"In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil, and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike--and they will--you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham's seed."

Jeffrey R Holland BYU Speeches 1980 p45

"Dwelling in the world is part of our mortal test. The challenge is to live in the world yet not partake of the world's temptations which will lead us away from our spiritual goals."

Robert D Hales May 1998 Ensign p76

"Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire."

Joseph Smith Teachings p256

"If you know how to pray and how to listen, spiritually listen, you may move through life, through clear weather, through storms, through wars, through peace and be all right."

Boyd K Packer Nov 1979

To you I say with all the energy of which I am capable, do not become a weak link in the chain of your generations. You come to the world with a marvelous inheritance. you come of great men and women...Never let them down. Never do anything which would weaken the chain of which you are a fundamental part.

Gordon B. Hinkley, Ricks College Sep 1999

"Challenges that tax our faith are usually opportunities to stretch and strengthen our faith by finding out if we really believe the Lord will help us."

Sheri L. Dew, God wants a powerful people p 52

"How do we know if we really have a testimony, if we'll really obey, if we really want to be honest and caste and virtuous, and if we really believe in Jesus Christ, if those things are not put to the test?"

Sherri L. Dew, God wants a powerful people p 14

"God has reserved...choice spirits to come forth in this last dispensation, because of the greatness and magnitude of the work to be accomplished...It has required apparently the most valiant men and women to come forth in the last days...[because]this is not a short lived dispensation; it is to go on increasing in power...until it shall fill the whole earth...And, of course, it requires great valor, great obedience and great gifts in order to accomplish the end that is to be attained under the promises of God. The Lord has permitted spirits to be born among the various races of mankind that are fitted and qualified to accomplish this great work."

George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truth p18

"It is imperative that we recognize that whatever has happened to us has happened to others. They have coped, and so must we. We are not alone. Heavenly Father's help is near."

Thomas S. Monson Oct Conference 1992