James E. Faust
"I humbly come to this pulpit today to speak about a sure cure for heartache, disappointment, torment, anguish, and despair. The psalmist stated, ’He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.’ (Ps 147:3) The healing is a divine miracle; the wounds are a common lot of all mankind. Shakespeare has said, ’He jests at scars that never felt a wound.’ (Romeo and Juliet, II.ii.1.) It seems that no one escapes the troubles, challenges, and disappointments of this world.
"…Someway, somehow, we must find the healing influence that brings solace to the soul. Where is this balm? Where is the compensating relief so desperately needed to help us survive in the world’s pressures? The onsetting comfort in large measure can come through increased communion with the Spirit of God. This can bring spiritual healing.
"…We find solace in Christ through the agency of the Comforter, and he extends this invitation to us: ’Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ (Matt. 11:28.) The Apostle Peter speaks of ’casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.’ (1 Pet. 5:7.) As we do this, healing takes place, just as the Lord promised through the prophet Jeremiah when he said, ’I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow. … I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.’ (Jer. 31:13, 25.)
“In the celestial glory, we are told, ’God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.’ (Rev. 21:4.) Then faith and hope will replace heartache, disappointment, torment, anguish, and despair, and the Lord will give us strength, as Alma says, that we ’should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ.’ (Alma 31:38.) Of this I have a testimony, and I so declare it in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.” (Conference Report, May 1992, p. 6)
Neal A. Maxwell
"Jesus, who bore the greatest and heaviest burdens, knows how to help His followers absorb afflictions in a unique way: ’And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith.’ (Alma 31:38.)
"Even so, we will not be free of affliction. But we will be given help in bearing affliction, especially if our wills are swallowed up in the will of the Father and Christ. Being swallowed up in the will of God can help us cope not only with afflictions but even with death (see Mosiah 16:8; Alma 22:14).
"It is noteworthy that this particular prophet, Alma, while trying to reactivate people, was efficient, because he was determined to ’try the virtue of the word of God,‘ the very approach which has ’a great tendency to lead the people to do that which [is] just’ (Alma 31:5).
"Having faith in Jesus includes having faith in the assurance that our trials and difficulties ’are but for a small moment,’ even when at the moment they seem to us to be extended and unremitting (D&C 122:4). Faith includes having faith in God’s timing.
“As we see the valiant reach breaking points without breaking, it inspires the rest of us to trust in the divine design in our own circumstances, which may not be immediately apparent to us during our trials: ’Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God … and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation’ (D&C 58:3).” (If Thou Endure It Well, p. 118)