Jacob 4:10; 2 Ne. 4:34; Prov. 12:15; D&C 103:5-7; Mosiah 15:7; 3 Ne. 11:11; Conference Report, Joseph Worthlin, Apr. 1982, p. 33
“We pit our will against God’s. When we direct our pride toward God, it is in the spirit of my will and not thine be done… The proud wish God would agree with them.” (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1989, p. 4)
“If our spirits are inclined to be stiff and refractory, and we desire continually the gratification of our own will to the extent that this feeling prevails in us, the Spirit of the Lord is held at a distance from us; or, in other words, the Father withholds his Spirit from us in proportion as we desire the gratification of our own will.” (Erastus Snow, Journal of Discourses 7:352)
“We must learn to pray with meaning, ‘Not my will, but Thy will be done.’ When you are able to do this, his whisperings to you will be loud and clear. The Prophet Joseph Smith, after five months of extreme suffering in the dungeon of Liberty Jail, experienced it and he said, ‘When the heart is sufficiently contrite, then the voice of inspiration steals along and whispers, My son peace be unto thy soul’ (History of the Church, 3:293; italics added). (Graham W. Doxey, Conference Report, Oct. 1991, p. 34)
“Sadness, disappointment, severe challenges are events in life, not life itself… . A pebble held close to the eye appears to be a gigantic obstacle. Cast on the ground, it is seen in perspective. Likewise, problems or trials in our lives need to be viewed in the perspective of scriptural doctrine… . Some people are like rocks thrown into a sea of problems. They are drowned by them. Be a cork. When submerged in a problem, fight to be free to bob up to serve again with happiness… . Progress is accelerated when you willingly allow Him to lead you through every growth experience you encounter… . When you trust in the Lord, when you are willing to let your heart and your mind be centered in His will, when you ask to be led by the Spirit to do His will, you are assured of the greatest happiness along the way … If you question everything you are asked to do, or dig in your heels at every unpleasant challenge, you make it harder for the Lord to bless you.” (Richard G. Scott, Ensign, May 1996, pp. 24-25)
“Only by aligning our wills with God’s is full happiness to be found. Anything less results in a lesser portion. So many of us are kept from eventual consecration because we mistakenly think that, somehow, by letting our will be swallowed up in the will of God, we lose our individuality. It is not a question of one’s losing identity but of finding his true identity! As one’s will is increasingly submissive to the will of God, he can receive inspiration and revelation so much neeeded to help meet the trials of life… . Consecration, likewise, is not shoulder-shrugging acceptance, but, instead, shoulder-squaring to better bear the yoke. God seeks to have us become more consecrated by giving up everything. Then, when we come home to Him, He will generously give us ‘all that He hath’ (see D&C 84:38)… . The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. The many other things we ‘give,’ … are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us. However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give!” (Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, Nov. 1995, pp. 23-24)
“Recently I met with a family who had lost a precious son through an unfortunate automobile accident. They wondered when the comforting spirit of the Holy Ghost would envelop them to sustain them. My counsel was that when they were prepared to say to the Lord, ‘Thy will be done,’ then would come the sweet peace which the Savior promised. This willing submission to the Father is what the Savior exemplified in the Garden of Gethsemane.” (James E. Faust, Ensign, Nov. 1996, p. 96)
“Whatever happens in the life of a person, if his attitude is right, the Lord will work that experience for that person’s good.” (Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Faculty Inservice, Orem Institute of Religion, Dec. 14, 1996)
“It takes great faith and courage to pray to our Heavenly Father, ‘Not as I will, but as thou wilt.’ The faith to believe in the Lord and endure brings great strength. Some may say if we have enough faith, we can sometimes change the circumstances that are causing our trials and tribulations. Is our faith to change circumstances, or is it to endure them? Faithful prayers may be offered to change or moderate events in our life, but we must always remember that when concluding each prayer, there is an understanding:’Thy will be done’ (Matt. 26:). Faith in the Lord includes trust in the Lord. The faith to endure well is faith based upon accepting the Lord’s will and the lessons learned in the events that transpire.” (Robert D. Hales, Ensign, May 1998, p. 77)
Burdens Eased—they Did Submit Cheerfully & with Patience
Hel. 12:1-6; Alma 17:11; D&C 58:2-4; 136:31;1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 8:2; Mosiah 23:21; Hel. 10:36; John 16:33; Job 23:10; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 185; Ensign, May 1992, pp. 25-27; Lectures on Faith, 6:3; refer in this text to Alma 14:11; Alma 34:40-41
“Elder Clinton Cutler said … ‘The Lord’s peace comes not without pain, but in the midst of pain.’” (Rex D. Pinegar, Ensign, May 1993, p. 66)
“Of course the greatest trial I have is that I cannot hear, but I have so many blessings I cannot complain, but if we only will live so that we may receive the instructions of God, there is nothing we are called to pass through but will be for our good.” (Rachel Ivins Grant, Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, May 1991, pp. 22-25)
“I do not desire trials. I do not desire affliction… . I used to think, if I were the Lord, I would not suffer people to be tried as they are. But I have changed my mind on that subject. Now I think I would, if I were the Lord, because it purges out the meanness and corruption that stick around the Saints, like flies around molasses… . I have seen men tempted so sorely that finally they would say, ‘I’ll be damned if I’ll stand it any longer.’ Well, you will be damned if you do not… . We have learned many things through suffering. We call it suffering. I call it a school of experience.” (John Taylor, The Gospel Kingdom, pp. 332-334)
“I rejoice in afflictions, for they are necessary to humble and prove us, that we may comprehend ourselves, become acquainted with our weaknesses and infirmities; and I rejoice when I triumph over them, because God answers my prayers, therefore I feel to rejoice all the day long.” (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 1:17)
“My theory is that when a man is conscious or a people are conscious that he or they are in the path of duty, doing that which is right in the sight of God, they should always be happy, no matter what the circumstances may be which surround them. I think that God has created us to be happy, and my belief is that he placed happiness within the reach of all, and it is man’s own fault if he is not happy and does not enjoy himself every day of his life. This is one of my reasons for liking my religion, … because it bestows full happiness and joy upon its believers. They can be happy in the midst of the most adverse circumstances; they can rejoice when their lives are imperilled.” (George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truths, p. 125)
[Mary Fielding Smith gave details of her trials at Far West in a letter to her non-member brother in England] “I do not feel in the least discouraged… . We have been enabled to rejoice, in the midst of our privations and persecutions, that we were counted worthy to suffer these things, so that we may, with the ancient saints who suffered in like manner, inherit the same glorious reward. If it had not been for this hope, I should have sunk before this; but, blessed be the God and rock of my salvation, here I am, and am perfectly satisfied and happy, having not the smallest desire to go one step backward.” (Mary Fielding Smith, wife of Hyrum Smith, Mary Fielding Smith, Corbett, p. 100)
“Concerning his personal suffering, Joseph was promised, ‘Thy heart shall be enlarged.’ An enlarged Joseph wrote from Liberty Jail, ‘It seems to me that my heart will always be more tender after this than ever it was before… . I think I never could have felt as I now do if I had not suffered.’”
(Neal A Maxwell, Ensign, May 1992, p. 39; quoting from The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, Dean C. Jessee, p. 387)
[From Liberty Jail, in a time of anguish and deep suffering for the gospel’s sake, the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote the following message to the Saints] “Dear brethren, do not think that our hearts faint, as though some strange thing had happened unto us, for we have seen and been assured of all these things beforehand, and have an assurance of a better hope than that of our persecutors. Therefore God hath made broad our shoulders for the burden. We glory in our tribulation, because we know that God is with us, that He is our friend, and that He will save our souls.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 123)
“Remember that this work is not yours and mine alone. It is the Lord’s work, and when we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember that the Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it.” (Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, May 1992, p. 48)
“Gratitude is a divine principle: ‘Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things’ (D&C 59:7). This scripture means that we express thankfulness for what happens, not only for the good things in life but also for the opposition and challenges of life that add to our experience and faith. We put our lives in His hands, realizing that all that transpires will be for our experience. When in prayer we say, ‘Thy will be done,’ we are really expressing faith and gratitude and acknowledging that we will accept whatever happens in our lives.” (Robert D. Hales, Ensign, May 1992, p. 65)
“We should seek to be happy and cheerful and not allow Satan to overcome us with discouragement, despair, or depression. As President Benson said, ‘Of all people, we as Latter-day Saints should be the most optimistic and the least pessimistic’ (Ensign, Oct. 1986, p. 2)… . We need not feel depressed or discouraged about conditions in the world, for the Lord will help us find the good that will lead us to happiness… . Surely we live in troubled times, but we can seek and obtain the good despite Satan’s temptations and snares. He cannot tempt us beyond our power to resist. (See 1 Cor. 10:13.)” (Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, May 1990, pp. 87-88)
“Pay attention to what the Lord requires of you and let the balance go. He will take care of that if you will acknowledge His hand in all things… . Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks, even if you have nothing but buttermilk and potatoes.” (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 3:159)