Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is not easy. It takes work, dedication, perseverance, endurance, faith and patience. When Moses received the Ten Commandments, he was told “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work” (Ex. 20:9) ; not five, not four.
Adversity and tribulation are natural components of our life on earth and are designed to fulfil our purpose here. The Lord told Joseph Smith that “it must needs be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not be agents unto themselves; for if they never should have bitter they could not know the sweet” (D&C 29:39). He told Adam, “Inasmuch as thy children are conceived in sin, even so when they begin to grow up, sin conceiveth in their hearts, and they taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good” (Moses 6:55).
Lehi taught us that an absence of opposition — if we had no bitter in order to experience the sweet — would “destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the justice of God” (2 Ne 2:12).
Our church has its share of anomalous doctrines; there’s no doubt about it. But if there is one thing that is unique to our Church compared to our fellow Christian sects, it is that we believe in modern and continuing revelation. Joseph Smith was not the only prophet our Church has had. Gordon B. Hinckley will certainly not be the last. And all along the way, we have been given doctrines and practices at the appropriate time.
Previous to 25 years ago, black members of the Church were unable to have the priesthood conferred upon them; now they can. 150 years ago, some members of the Church practiced plural marriage; now they do not. Brigham Young told all new converts to flock to Utah to build up the Church; recent prophets have told converts to stay where they are. And the list goes on and on.
Be diligent in finding solace in Jesus Christ through sincere prayer and thorough scripture study. You will not find your answers on discussion boards; you won’t be able to hear the still, small voice over all the noise. You will only find them in your private conversations with God.
You are His child and He loves more than you would love your own children. His love for you is unconditional. No matter what you do, His love for you will be constant. Believe it or not, your time of trial is because of this love. His desire for you is to be the best you can ever be. He refines you and purifies you like silver and gold (see Zech 13:9; Mal 3:3) because you are precious to Him. In fact, Isaiah even goes so far as saying that our affliction is because we have been chosen of God (see Isa 48:10).
Remember, what it comes down to is that you have a decision to make and that decision will be between you and God. Just be sure to use the tools He has given you to make this decision.
Always remember you are loved.
