Overcoming Challenges Along Life's Way ~ Part Two

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take three to five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on a October 1987 General Conference talk, and it is called "Overcoming Challenges along Life’s Way" by Joy F. Evans. This post is part two. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk recently, and I hope you would learn something new as you read this post.

Sister Evans continues and she mentions, "There are lesbian women, as well as homosexual men, in the Church. ... these people must likewise keep the commandments. Marriage and intimate relationships are to be reserved for husbands and wives, and ...

Sometimes we hear of Church members who outwardly do all the things that would indicate full Church involvement, yet who neglect their children or abuse them physically, emotionally, or sexually, who are untrue to their covenants and marriage vows, or who are dishonest in other ways. If such a person is listening, could we plead with you this night to repent, to seek help and forgiveness.

Mormon wrote of other people in another time and place who also were in such a state of wickedness. He said, as it might be said today, “Now they did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of God concerning them” (3 Nephi. 6:18). ... “Tell the sisters that it is all worth it. Tell them how beautiful and joyful life can be when you keep the commandments.”

"We don't grow when things are easy. We grow
when we face challenges." 

Perhaps this lesson is twofold: If you are not personally living a pure, righteous life, if you have somehow slipped away, repent and come back. Love and hope are real! If you know someone, or the loved one of someone, who has been excommunicated or disfellowshipped, try to understand the anguish. 

Sometimes what is said or done is less important than that someone cares enough to say or do anything at all.  ... It is indeed hard for them to feel that “all is well”; but even here, there is hope. 

Seeking help early is the best chance for recovery. Pretending there is no problem, covering up for the behavior, or shielding the person from the consequences of that behavior will never solve the problem. .. 

Above all, acknowledge your dependence on the Lord. Let him help and heal you. ... All can be well again. 

                                                                                                    There may be times when we do not understand the “why” of the challenges we face, when whatever is happening doesn’t seem fair or the people about us seem to be indifferent to our suffering. ... So it is with most of our personal suffering. The world goes on about us as if nothing out of the ordinary were happening. 

... One of our daughters and her family recently suffered a tragedy. Their house burned down, leaving little in the place of all their worldly possessions. The blessing was that even though five of their six children were at home, their two teenage sons remembered the training they had been given, picked up the little ones, and ran from the house. All were safe. And they felt great comfort from their ward and neighborhood, who rallied around with food, clothing, and offers of help. Such a blessing it is to belong to “the household of God” (Eph. 2:19). 

... For this family, as for others who experience trials and grief, love and help were extended, along with priesthood blessings and the assurance from the Father of us all that “blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life” (D&C 50:5). They have the same promise given to Joseph that “thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a … moment” (D&C 121:7). May we never be indifferent, sisters, to the suffering of others. May we be sensitive to those about us who are hurting for whatever reason. ..."

If you would like to read this whole talk either now or in your own time, here's the link below.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1987/10/overcoming-challenges-along-lifes-way

Stay Tuned until next time.