I better show a note from Ric's note in Aug 2014.

ShareThoughts February 9, 2021 in ASL 5 Subscribers Subscribe

168 Views
0 Stars
0 E-mailed

146 Visits
2 Comments
0 Bookmarks

Good Morning to Brothers and Sisters, I feel so honored when I have been asked to give a talk about How to Keep Faith in Adversity (difficult situation) in this sacrament meeting. It is really meant a lot to me because it is my first time presentation to you. Anyway, I like to express what I think of adversity. I understand there are three general adversity categories: spiritual adversity, mental adversity, and physical adversity. Of course, I would be scared or helpless when I have faced adversity. However, I must deal with adversity as long as I truly have faith in the Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. As part of Heavenly Father’s plan of redemption(saving from sin and evil), you experience adversity during mortality(live until die). Trials (test, test , right, wrong), disappointments, sadness, sickness, and heartache are a difficult part of life, but they can lead to spiritual growth, refinement(improvement), and progress as you turn to the Lord. Adversity may sometimes come because of poor choices and hurtful words and actions you have made. Trials, which are simply part of life, can be avoided if you have stood through righteous living. Again, it is important for us to have faith in the Lord to deal with adversity. And you should correct your behavior and humbly seek forgiveness if you have disobedience against others. President Henry Eyring, the counselor in the First Presidency, states: “With all the differences in our lives, we have at least one challenge in common We all must deal with adversity, which either have caused fear or anger. The anger comes at least in part from a feeling that what is happening is unfair. That aching for an anger to “How could this happen?” becomes even more painful when those struggling include those we love. The distress(pain or suffering) like time of wars and famine can shake faith in the reality of a loving and all-powerful God or lead to loss of faith that there is a God at all. It is time for us to realize that our Heavenly Father and the Savior live and that They love all humanity(people).” President Eyring encourages us to know that the very opportunity for us to face adversity and affliction(causing pain or suffering) is part of the evidence of Their infinite(no limit) love. God gave us the gift of living in mortality so that we could be prepared to receive the greatest gifts of God, which is eternal life. Then our spirits will be changed. We will become able to want what God wants, to think as He thinks, and thus be prepared for the trust of all future generations of people to teach and to lead through tests to be raised up to qualify to live forever in eternal life. Different kinds of adversity require different responses. For example, if you are stricken with illness, you may simply need to be patient and faithful. If you suffer because of others’ words or actions, you should work toward forgiving those who have offended you. If you are a victim of abuse, you should seek help immediately. If trials come because of your own disobedience, you should correct your behavior and humbly seek forgiveness. Although some of your responses to adversity will vary, one response should be constant(steady seen)-your trust in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The prophet Alma taught, “Whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day” versed in Alma 36:3. I bear(accept humbly) my testimony that the Heavenly Father has been so wonderful to me and to you all. He has led us to live on commandments that he gives. And I am truly thankful to Him and his son for providing the wonderful restored gospel to you and me. I am thankful to them for making me understand what adversity really means while I prepare this talk for this sacrament meeting. In the name of our beloved brother, Jesus Christ, amen.