Lesson for April 14, Faithfulness in Trials

Sister Maggie gave the lesson. She told of the hard circumstances experienced by the early saints at Mt. Pisgah. They experienced sickness and death. But Lorenzo Snow helped the saints in their trials, but also to have good cheer. In addition to helping the Saints work together, Lorenzo encouraged them to nourish themselves spiritually and to enjoy wholesome entertainment. "During the long winter months," he said, "I sought to keep up the spirits and courage of the Saints in Pisgah, not only by inaugurating meetings for religious worship and exercises, in different parts of the settlement, but also by making provisions for, and encouraging proper amusements of various kinds." sister Bahr told about trusting the Lord.sister Corbett talked about how our trials help us know what we are made of and how Job chose God. Maggie said we often don't know why we have to suffer, but that we can adapt to our circumstances, how much better to know that God knows us and can help us. We need to show that we love God more th an the things of the world. Bonnie Byrne said the ultimate goal is to get back to Heavenly Father. Sister Lewis learned that God walkls with her and weeps with her in the hardest times of our lives. Sister Trewartha said we come to know the Lord through our trials. We have every reason to rejoice and to be full of joy and satisfaction, notwithstanding the difficulties that surround us. And how far have we advanced, how much knowledge have we obtained and how much more are we able to bear now than one, two or five years ago, and are we able to stand more now than a few years ago? The Lord has strengthened us and increased us in our growth. Like the infant, when it grows up it knows not how it received gradual strength and the manner in which it increased in stature. It is larger this year than last. So in regard to our spiritual advancement. We feel stronger today than we did a year ago." A sister read a talk by Elder Maxwell about his trials. Elder Bednar said he was able to face his final cancer with strength because of his trials earlier. Our trials will help us and give us strength for the future. Sister Campbell said her granddaughter Tori understands the plan of salvation and knows how she fits in. Sister Cantrell knows that Satan knows what we are going through and tries to make us feel pain. But God knows, too. Sister Byrne said we sometimes increase the pain by fighting against God. sister Bahr said we knew that there would be opposition in all things and we cannot know the joy without knowing the pain. We are not alone. Sister Gibson said that she felt Strengthened by knowing she knew in the spirit world that Heavenly Father prepared us to come here and get through our trials. Maggie said that we must know that God will help usAll that is required of us to make us perfectly safe under all circumstances of trouble or persecution, is to do the will of God, to be honest, faithful and to keep ourselves devoted to the principles that we have received; do right one by another; trespass upon no man's rights; live by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God and his Holy Spirit will aid and assist us under all circumstances, and we will come out of the midst of it all abundantly blessed in our houses, in our families, in our flocks, in our fields--and in every way God will bless us. He will give us knowledge upon knowledge, intelligence upon intelligence, wisdom upon wisdom. A sister said that the only real sin is not moving forward and progressing as long as we do what we are supposed to do. "every man and woman who serves the Lord, no matter how faithful they may be, have their dark hours; but if they have lived faithfully, light will burst upon them and relief will be furnished. "