Days Filled with Sorrow

 

What Church Leaders Have Said about Aging Faithfully

...But whenever my steps led through seasons of sadness and sorrow, my mother’s words often came back to me: ‘Come what may, and love it.’

“How can we love days that are filled with sorrow? We can’t—at least not in the moment. I don’t think my mother was suggesting that we suppress discouragement or deny the reality of pain. I don’t think she was suggesting that we smother unpleasant truths beneath a cloak of pretended happiness. But I do believe that the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life.

“If we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness.”⁸

—Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Feeling Hungry and Fasting

"When we fast, . . . we feel hunger. And for a short time, we literally put ourselves in the position of the hungry and needy. As we do so, we have greater understanding of the deprivations they might feel. When we give to the bishop an offering to relieve the suffering of others, we not only do something sublime for others, but we do something wonderful for ourselves as well."

Joseph B. Wirthlin

Partake of Living Water

The Abundant Life

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The abundant life is a spiritual life. Too many sit at the banquet table of the gospel of Jesus Christ and merely nibble at the feast placed before them. They go through the motions—attending their meetings perhaps, glancing at scriptures, repeating familiar prayers—but their hearts are far away. If they are honest, they would admit to being more interested in the latest neighborhood rumors, stock market trends, and their favorite TV show than they are in the supernal wonders and sweet ministerings of the Holy Spirit.

Do you wish to partake of this living water and experience that divine well springing up within you to everlasting life?

Then be not afraid. Believe with all your hearts. Develop an unshakable faith in the Son of God. Let your hearts reach out in earnest prayer. Fill your minds with knowledge of Him. Forsake your weaknesses. Walk in holiness and harmony with the commandments.

Drink deeply of the living waters of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

How We Should Treat Others

How We Should Treat Others

“Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others. Kindness should permeate all of our words and actions at work, at school, at church, and especially in our homes. …

“When we are filled with kindness, we are not judgmental. The Savior taught, ‘Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven’ [Luke 6:37]. …

“‘But,’ you ask, ‘what if people are rude?’

“Love them.

“‘If they are obnoxious?’

“Love them.

“‘But what if they offend? Surely I must do something then?’

“Love them.

“‘Wayward?’

“The answer is the same. Be kind. Love them.

“Why? In the scriptures Jude taught, ‘And of some have compassion, making a difference’ [Jude 1:22].

“Who can tell what far-reaching impact we can have if we are only kind?”

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Virtue of Kindness,” Ensign, May 2005, 26, 28.

Trust in the Lord

“Do you want the windows of heaven opened to you? Do you wish to receive blessings so great there is not room enough to receive them? Always pay your tithing and leave the outcome in the hands of the Lord.”

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Earthly Debts, Heavenly Debts,”Ensign, May 2004, 41.

Fasting = Greater Power

 “Often when we fast, our righteous prayers and petitions have greater power.”

Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Law of the Fast,” Liahona,July 2001, 89; Ensign, May 2001, 73.

Nothing Beyond His Healing Touch

Nothing beyond His Healing Touch

“No grief is so great, no pain so profound, no burden so unbearable that it is beyond His healing touch.”

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Special Witnesses of Christ,” Ensign, Apr. 2001, 9.

Duty = Great Sacrifice

"These great men . . . might have chosen to follow a path easier than the one where duty led. But they did not. Certainly their duty did not always lead to personal comfort or casual convenience. Their duty frequently meant great sacrifice and personal hardship; but nevertheless, duty they chose, and duty they performed."

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Learn Your Duty," Ensign, Aug 2012, 16.

Find Happiness

"When we accept duties willingly and faithfully, we find happiness. Those who make happiness the chief objective of life are bound to fail, for happiness is a by-product rather than an end in itself. Happiness comes from doing one's duty and knowing that his life is in harmony with God and His commandments. . . ."

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Learn Your Duty," Ensign, Aug 2012, 16.

Duty

"Most of us don't mind doing what we ought to do when it doesn't interfere with what we want to do, but it takes discipline and maturity to do what we ought to do whether we want to or not. Duty is too often what one expects from others and not what one does. What people think and believe and plan are all very important, but what they do is the thing that counts most. It is a call to throw out selfishness and to think of the common good of all."

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Learn Your Duty," Ensign, Aug 2012, 16.

We Must Not Take This Gift For Granted

“As with all gifts, this gift must be received and accepted to be enjoyed. When priesthood hands were laid upon your head to confirm you a member of the Church, you heard the words, ‘Receive the Holy Ghost.’ This did not mean that the Holy Ghost unconditionally became your constant companion. Scriptures warn us that the Spirit of the Lord will ‘not always strive with man’ (Genesis 6:3). When we are confirmed, we are given the right to the companionship of the Holy Ghost, but it is a right that we must continue to earn through obedience and worthiness.”

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917-2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Unspeakable Gift,” Ensign, May 2003, 28. 

Trials and Tribulations

“While [God] does not always intervene in the course of events, He has promised the faithful peace even in their trials and tribulations.”

Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Finding a Safe Harbor,” Ensign, May 2000, 59. 

Gratitude

"Gratitude is a mark of a noble soul and a refined character. We like to be around those who are grateful. They tend to brighten all around them. They make others feel better about themselves. They tend to be more humble, more joyful, more likable."

Joseph B. Wirthlin "Live in Thanksgiving Daily," Ensign, Sept. 2001, 8.