L. Lionel Kendrick

“We will be held accountable for all that we say. The Savior has warned ‘that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.’ (Matt. 12:36.) This means that no communication shall be without consequence. This includes the slight slips of the tongue, the caustic communications that canker the soul, and the vain, vulgar, and profane words which desecrate the name of Deity.”

“In the process of living we will face struggles, many of which will cause us to suffer and to experience pain. Many people will suffer in personal struggles, while others will suffer as they watch their loved ones in pain. To gain strength in our struggles, we must have a positive perspective of the principles in the plan of salvation. We must realize that we have a personal Savior whom we can trust and turn to in our times of need. We must also learn and live the principles that the Lord has given to receive the strength needed during our struggles.”

“If we follow the revealed eternal principles, we will gain strength during our struggles and will be blessed as we bear our burdens and deal with difficulties and overcome obstacles in our lives. If we are to gain the strength that we need, we must come to know the Savior and follow His counsel.”

“People respond to struggles in different ways. Some feel defeated and beaten down by the burdens they are called to bear. Many begin to blame others for their difficulties and defeats, and they fail to follow the counsel of the Lord. It is a natural tendency to seek the easy road on life’s journey and to become discouraged, filled with doubt, and even depressed when facing life’s struggles.Elder Neal A. Maxwell, then an Assistant to the Twelve, distinguished the difference in responses to difficulties: ‘The winds of tribulation, which blow out some men’s candles of commitment, only fan the fires of faith of [others]’.”

“The Savior knows all things past, present, and future. Jacob taught, ‘For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it’ (2 Ne. 9:20). He knows the things that we stand in need of even before we ask (see 3 Ne. 13:8).”

“Struggles are a part of the sacred sanctification process. There are no soft or slothful ways to become sanctified to the point that we are prepared to live in the presence of the Savior. And there can be blessings in the burdens we bear. As a result of these struggles, our souls are stretched and our spirits are strengthened. Our character becomes more Christlike as we are tried and tested.”

“The Savior ‘knoweth the weakness of man’ (D&C 62:1). In spite of our weakness, He loves us in an incomprehensible manner and offers us great hope: ‘I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them’ (Ether 12:27).”

“The Savior knows each of us in a personal way. He has assured us of His personal acquaintance, His awareness of our needs, and His presence in our times of need. He counseled, ‘I say unto you that mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me’ (D&C 38:7). Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained, ‘The Savior is in our midst, sometimes personally, frequently through his servants, and always by his Spirit’.”

“Even though [our] experiences may cause pain, suffering, and sorrow, we have this absolute assurance: ‘No pain suffered by man or woman upon the earth will be without its compensating effects if it be suffered in resignation and if it be met with patience’ (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 168).”

“Some of our struggles involve making decisions, while others are a result of the decisions we have made. Some of our struggles result from choices others make that affect our lives. We cannot always control everything that happens to us in this life, but we can control how we respond. Many struggles come as problems and pressures that sometimes cause pain. Others come as temptations, trials, and tribulations.”

“The Lord gives us a spirit of hope and a feeling of comfort and confidence that we can overcome the obstacles we face. He has shown the way to gain strength during our struggles. With His assistance, we have the ability to succeed. Listen to His words of counsel and comfort: 'Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world and none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.”