The Purpose of Adversity: Understanding the Value of Suffering and Overcoming Challenges

1. Chapter 3 Howard W. Hunter (2015-2016)

2. Biographical Notes • President Hunter attended boat races in Samoa and used the race as a way to explain the purpose of adversity. • Main Point: Resistance of the water creates opposition and the forward movement for the boat.

3. Value of Suffering? If you could get rid of all suffering and pain the in world would you do it? • Principle 1: Adversity is part of God’s plan for our Eternal Progress. Question: Why was Jesus not exempt from suffering? Why did he suffer more than all of us? • Principle 2: Jesus faced more opposition and suffering than us all. • He had to fully experience the depths of hell to understand the heights of heaven. • He had to learn how to “succor” his people. • He had to pay the price of sin.

4. Adversity For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility. (2 Nephi 2: 11) 5 If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea; 6 If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring… 7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. 8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he? (D&C 122: 6-8) Q: Why is opposition and suffering necessary for life? What has suffering taught each of you? What would you be like without suffering? • Principle 4: Without temptation, sickness, pain, and sorrow, there could be no goodness, virtue, appreciation for well-being, or joy. • Principle 5: The depth of our negatives increases the height of our positives.

5. Adversity 1 And now, Jacob, I speak unto you: Thou art my firstborn in the days of my tribulation in the wilderness. And behold, in thy childhood thou hast suffered afflictions and much sorrow, because of the rudeness of thy brethren. 2 Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain. (2 Nephi 2:2) Q: How has God consecrated your afflictions to your gain? • Principle 6: God Consecrates our Afflictions for our Gain.

6. Limits to Adversity Question: Is there a limit to the afflictions and hardships we will go through? There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Cor. 10: 13) • Principle 6: We won’t be tempted beyond our ability to withstand. (1 Cor. 10:13)

7. Attitudes in Adversity Question: What should be our attitude in difficult times? Why? 34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. 35 Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you. 36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. (D&C 6: 34-36) Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks. (D&C 98:1) • Principle 7: We should be optimistic and confident in times of difficulty. We should rejoice and give thanks.

8. The Yoke of Christ Read Matt 11:28-30. 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. • A yoke was a device that allowed the strength of a second animal to be linked with the effort of the first animal which reduced the load on the animal carrying the plow or wagon. • A burden that was overwhelming or perhaps impossible for one to bear could be equitably and comfortably borne by two bound together with a common yoke. • Christ’s yoke requires a great and earnest effort, but for those who truly are converted, the yoke is easy and the burden becomes light. • If you face life’s burdens alone you may be crushed under the load but with Christ all burdens are light as he helps you bear them. Q: How do you think you take Christ’s Yoke Upon you? Examples?

9. Maladaptive Responses to Adversity Question: How would Satan have us react to opposition? Why? • Fear: Fear, which can come upon people in difficult days, is a principal weapon in the arsenal which Satan uses to make mankind unhappy. He who fears loses strength for the combat of life in the fight against evil. • Doubt: Satan tempts us to doubt Gods promises or what the Holy Ghost has revealed to us. Question: How do we dispel doubt & fear? • D&C 38:30, Why does preparation dispel fear? How does it work? • “The size of your faith or the degree of your knowledge is not the issue—it is the integrity you demonstrate toward the faith you do have and the truth you already know.” Jeffrey R. Holland-Lord I believe • If we have prepared to meet God by resolving to keep the commandments we should not fear.

10. Closing Questions • Q: How do you seek & obtain help from on high?