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Adversity

"If our hearts are right before God, adversity will school us, help us overcome our carnal nature, and nurture the divine spark within us. Were it not for adversity, we would not know to 'choose the better part' ("Father in Heaven, We Do Believe," Hymns, no. 180). Adversity helps us see where we need to repent, to bring into subjection baser instincts, to embrace righteousness and enjoy 'peace of conscience' (Mosiah 4:3)."

-- Keith B. McMullin, "Be Prepared . . . Be Ye Strong from Henceforth," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 10-11

Adversity

I find that when I have little or no resistance, I do not accomplish much. Adversity seems to me a tool to help us develop motivation. God is never against us, but he sometimes takes his hand from the bicycle seat so we can see for ourselves how far we can go, even if the ride sometimes ends in a skinned knee.

Adversity Studies Doctrine Mormon

A friend of mine has this quote in her email signature:

"Character can not be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved."

I have no idea who said it, but it certainly applies.

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, striking with accelerated force against religious bigotry, priestcraft, lawyer-craft, doctor-craft, lying editors, suborned judges and jurors, and the authority of perjured executives, backed by mobs, blasphemers, licentious and corrupt men and women--all hell knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty, who will give me dominion over all and every one of them, when their refuge of lies shall fail, and their hiding place shall be destroyed, while these smooth-polished
stones with which I come in contact become marred."
-- History of the Church, 5:401 - Joseph Smith

Adversity

"If we do not have a deep foundation of faith and a solid testimony of truth, we may have difficulty withstanding the harsh storms and icy winds of adversity which inevitably come to each of us."
(Thomas S. Monson, "How Firm a Foundation," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 62)

Adversity

"Gratitude is deeper than thanks. Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.

It is well for us to consider our attitude toward blessings for which we should be most grateful; not just the temporal blessings-our harvests, profits, etc. If we are thinking only of the success that has attended our investments; if we are grateful only for good crops; if we are going to express thanks for sufficient income to pay our taxes, our thanksgiving might be entirely selfish.

If conditions of personal comfort and prosperity are in themselves the ground for thankfulness, where in the hour of adversity shall we find occasion for rejoicing? For many there have been pain and losses and disappointments, bereavements and heartaches. Where in those things are there reason and ground for gratitude? Has the desolate home, the vacant chair, the mound in the cemetery no place for thanksgiving?

Here is the point of stumbling with many an earnest soul. We find in the bitter chill of adversity the real test of our gratitude; and that is the true gratitude which, triumphing over conditions merely physical and external, finds its ground of thankfulness in God Himself. It is independent of circumstances. It goes beneath the surface of life, whether sad or joyous, and founds itself upon God.

Laying aside the thought of prosperity, let us consider some things for which everybody, rich or poor, well or sick, may express gratitude. The realities of life, after all, are the things which bring joy and happiness; and too many people in the world fail to appreciate these realities. Book of Mormon Manual p.158 "The first great reality for which we should be thankful is life itself. Life is a mystery to most of us, but all should be grateful for it"¦.

Another reality for which you and I may express gratitude is our noble parentage. No matter how poor we are, how crippled we may be, we have received this blessing; and if we have not, then we have the freedom to make our name a worthy one.

Let us express gratitude for opportunities to render service to our fellow men, not to self. There is a fundamental law of truth if we would be happy, let us make somebody else happy."

(David O. McKay, Secrets of a Happy Life, pp. 147-49.)