When Trials Make Us Stronger

Helaman 3:34–35 teaches one of the most powerful principles in the Book of Mormon: our trials can either turn us away from God or turn us more fully toward Him. The Nephites described in these verses were experiencing “exceedingly great persecutions” from people who did not belong to the Church. Their circumstances were difficult, but their response to those difficulties changed them. Instead of allowing persecution to weaken their faith, they became more humble, prayed and fasted, and ultimately became “stronger and stronger in the humility” of their hearts and “firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ.”

This is an important truth. The gospel does not promise that faithful disciples will never experience hardship. In fact, Jesus Christ taught that we would have tribulation in the world. The purpose of the gospel is not always to remove our trials, but to help us become the kind of people who can endure them with faith.

The Nephites discovered that adversity could become a spiritual refining process. Their persecutions caused them to humble themselves. Humility is not weakness; it is recognizing our dependence upon God. When we understand that we cannot overcome every challenge by ourselves, we become more willing to turn to the Savior.

That is why the Nephites “did fast and pray oft.” Fasting and prayer helped them surrender their hearts to God. They did not simply ask Him to make their problems disappear. Their hearts were changed as they sought Him. Their faith in Jesus Christ became firmer, and they were filled with joy and consolation—even while living through difficult circumstances.

This principle is especially meaningful because the source of their joy was not their circumstances. Their circumstances had not necessarily become easier. They had become stronger. Through Jesus Christ, they received spiritual strength that circumstances could not take away.

Helaman 3:35 goes even deeper. It teaches that the Nephites experienced a purification and sanctification of their hearts because they “did yield their hearts unto God.” In Latter-day Saint doctrine, sanctification is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost. We do not sanctify ourselves through our own goodness. Rather, we exercise faith in Christ, repent, receive His grace, and allow Him to change us.

There is a powerful lesson here for each of us. We will all experience persecution, disappointment, loss, uncertainty, temptation, and hardship. We may not always be able to choose what happens to us, but we can choose how we respond.

We can become bitter, or we can become humble. We can withdraw from God, or we can pray. We can allow trials to weaken our faith, or we can let them drive us deeper into the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Nephites chose the latter. Their trials became an opportunity to draw closer to the Savior. As they fasted, prayed, humbled themselves, and yielded their hearts to God, they became stronger in faith and were filled with joy and peace.

Sometimes God does not remove the mountain. Instead, He uses the mountain to strengthen us as we climb it with Him.

Product: Next Level Apparel N6210 Men's CVC Crew

Next Level Apparel N6210 Men's CVC Crew

• 4.3 oz.,

• 60% combed ringspun cotton/ 40% polyester jersey

• Colors have a slightly heathered look

• Pre-shrunk for reduced shrinkage

• CVC blend

• 1x1 baby rib-knit set-in collar

• Shoulder to shoulder taping

• Tear-away label

• Side seamed