"In all their afflictions he was afflicted. And the angel of his presence saved them, and in his love, and in his pity, he redeemed them, and bore them, and carried them all the days of old" (D&C 133:52-53).
It seems evident that the Lord is afflicted each time we are afflicted, that he will send angels to help us, and that in his love he helps us daily, whether we know it or not. How our hearts ought to be drawn out in gratitude for the grace of the Father and the Son! - Gene R. Cook, “The Grace of the Lord,” New Era, December 1988
Tag Archives: afflictions
“Persecution can either crush you into silent weakness or motivate you to …”
… be more exemplary and courageous in your daily lives.” Some of us have been persecuted because of our faith. And many will be.
“Difficult days are ahead. Each of us will be tested.” (See Elder M. Russell Ballard’s April 2011 conference quote below)
“Why do we need such resilient faith? Because difficult days are ahead. Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-day Saint. Each of us will be tested. The Apostle Paul warned that in the latter days, those who diligently follow the Lord "shall suffer persecution."
“That very persecution can either crush you into silent weakness or motivate you to be more exemplary and courageous in your daily lives.
“If we pray with an eternal perspective, we need not wonder if our most tearful and heartfelt pleadings are heard. This promise from the Lord is recorded in section 98 of the Doctrine and Covenants:
"Your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord ... and are recorded with this seal and testament--the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted.
"Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name's glory, saith the Lord." – Russell M. Nelson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Face the Future with Faith”, April 2011 General Conference
Persecution can make you bitter or it can make you better. If it were as easy as removing the “i” from bitter, and changing it to “e” for better, that would be nice. There is a simple and powerful way to go from bitter to better: Look to Jesus Christ to help you. He will. With His help, we can endure anything well. – Grandpa Tony
3 Nephi 12:10– And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name's sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.