God Shall Be With You Forever and Ever

Sherri Wright gave this lesson on April 19th based in the story of Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail.

Notes from the lesson:

Joseph's captors knew he and his companions were innocent, yet they still went along with what the mob demanded.

The conditions in Liberty Jail were almost inhumane. The jail cell didn't allow the prisoners any sunlight, nor any room to even stand upright. Joseph and his companions were imprisoned with true criminals, yet their unbearable circumstances never broke their spirits.

Trials can make or break you. Joseph's experience taught them, and it teaches us, to rely on the Lord.

** Difficult circumstances have the ability to bind the hearts of family and friends. **

** Trials can actually strengthen marriages and family relationships. **

The Lord's love is always there. We may not feel it because of OUR choices, or attitude, or actions, but His love is unconditional and always available to us.

We should remember when the Lord tells us things will be hard, or "for a small moment" that it is from His perspective and not ours. 50 years to us may seem an eternity, but truly isn't when COMPARED to eternity.

If we can keep the Lord in sight and know what is on the other side, it becomes easier to let go of the pain and suffering we experience through our trials. It makes Christ's sacrifice pointless if we hold onto our own pain. We need to be able to be "finished" and turn our pain over to him.

For children and those around us who make bad choices and are suffering, we just have to keep in mind that we are ONLY in control of ourselves. Those making poor choices must learn for themselves. All we can do is be good examples.

When we get through adversity, each successive trial becomes easier to handle. "If I got through THAT, then I can certainly handle this."