Pressing Through Adversity

D&C 58: 2 – 4:

“For verily I say unto you [YOUR NAME], blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.

Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.

For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye [YOU] shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.”

When Joseph spent more than four months in the Liberty Jail or “Liberty Temple”, he received three of the most powerful sections of the D&C. Imagine being in his shoes. You’re in a cramped space, it’s cold (from Jan – Apr), you know your friends are being persecuted outside, and you can’t even stand up to your full stature because of a low ceiling. I imagine Joseph was frustrated and sometimes felt abandoned, yet he cried out to the Lord and got this response in D&C 121:7 – 10:

“My son [YOUR NAME], 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 transgression, as they did Job.”

Each of us will pass through trials and tribulations, some of those might feel like they’re testing us to our very limits. However, remember what the Lord went on to tell Joseph in D&C 122:9:

“Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.”

The Lord will be with His servants and those who strive to do His will. Fear not what man (or your mission companion, adversarial spirits, or anyone else) can do, for their bounds are set and they cannot pass. Your days are known and they shall not be numbered less.