Lesson Summary from April 14, 2013

Lesson Summary: Our new teacher Sarah Bodrero gave a wonderful lesson from chapter #7, Faithfulness in Time of Trial: "From the Shadows into the Glorious Sunshine" In the lesson President Snow opened with an account of an experience during the time the saints were traveling to the Salt Lake Valley, and through the lesson he give councel concerning our trials. In February 1846 the Latter-day Saints were forces to leave their homes in Nauvoo, Illinois. As they prepared to make the trek west to their new promised land, they followed President Brigham Young's counsel to establish settlements along the way. They lived in temporary shelters and planted crops for the Saints who would follow them. Several months after arriving in Mount Pisgah, Iowa, Lorenzo Snow was called to preside over the settlement. "By this time," he later recorded, "the Saints in Pisgah were in a very destitute condition. Several families were entirely out of provision, and dependent on the charity of their neighbors. But, above all this, a sweeping sickness had visited the settlement, and death followed in the wake, and fathers, mothers, children, brothers, sisters and dearest friends fell victims to the destroyer. Lorenzo knew these trials firsthand. He and his family experienced sickness, disappointments, and heartache, including the death of their newborn daughter, Leonora. He wrote, "With deep sorrow we bore her remains to their silent resting place, to be left alone, far from her father and the mother who gave her birth." Under these circumstances, Lorenzo helped the Saints face their trials with faith. When Satan asked Eve to partake of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, he told her her eyes would be opened and she would know good from evil. She asked, "Is there no other way?" For God's children to obtain knowledge and wisdom, there is no other way but through trials and tribulations. Our trials help us improve spiritually and prepare for celestial glory. God designed that it should be so. "I daresay that in the [pre-mortal] spirit world, when it was proposed to us to come into this probation, and pass through the experience that we are now receiving, it was not altogether pleasant and agreeable; the prospects were not so delightful in all respects as might have been desired. Yet there is no doubt that we saw and understood clearly there that, in order to accomplish our exaltation and glory, this was a necessary experience; and however disagreeable it might have appeared to us, we were willing to conform to the will of God, and consequently we are here." There is no other way in which God's children can make spiritual improvement and be prepared for an inheritance in the celestial kingdom than through tribulation. The Lord strengthens us and increases us in our growth. Like an infant, when he grows up, he knows not how he received gradual strength and the manner in which he increased in stature. Such is our growth in regard to our spiritual advancement. We feel stronger today than we did a year ago. Some things we have to learn by that which we suffer, and knowledge secured in that way, though the process may be painful, will be of great value. He will try us, and continue to try us, in order that He may place us in the highest positions in life and put upon us the most sacred responsibilities. When we remain faithful during trials and temptations, we show that we love God more than we love the world. As we remain faithful, the Lord strengthens us to overcome temptations and endure trials. "I feel, my brethren and sisters, to exhort you with heartfelt expression. Be of good cheer--be not disheartened; for assuredly the day rapidly comes when your tears shall be dried, your hearts comforted, and you shall eat of the products of your labors." ". . . I know that your lives have not been all sunshine; you have doubtless passed through many tribulation; but by continued integrity you will soon emerge from the shadows into the glorious sunshine of the celestial world." Sisters were invited to share some trials they have experienced. These testimonies from the sisters we know and love strengthen all of us as we share each other's burdens through listening and service. We thank you. And thank you so much, Sarah, for that wonderful Lesson.