Elder Uchtdorf: "Have We Not Reason To Rejoice?"

This lesson was taught on Sunday, March 23, 2008 by Michelle Rackley.

Click here to see the full text of Elder Uchtdorf's October 2007 General Conference address "Have We Not Reason To Rejoice?"

We started with a brief summary of Elder Uchtdorf's address. The world focuses on the bad. But even amid trials we have reason to rejoice. Read Elder Uchtdorf's description of his experience as a boy in Germany during World War II.

Michelle read us the account of another woman who survived World War II. Ask her for a copy.

We read the account of the Brother of Jared and his people crossing the ocean in barges (Ether 6: 4-12), thinking of it as a metaphor for our own lives, with the wind and water representing our trials. Here are some of the phrases/ ideas Michelle highlighted as she read to us:

-They commended themselves to God

-The Lord caused a furious wind to blow them. What are our trials meant for, and what are they pushing us toward?

-When the waves are upon you, what do you resort to?

-What makes us tight and strong like the Jaredite vessels?

-The wind was constant, continual

-They prayed all day and night in praise and thanks. What do I do all day long? Sister Beck's talk in October ("Mothers Who Know") counsels us on how to best use our time. There are so many good things to do with our time, but are we doing the best things (Elder Oaks "Good Better Best")?

-How can we become so strong that nothing could break us (like the barges)?

-They could see the glowing stone in each barge. It acted as a physical manifestation of God's presence. What physical manifestations of God's love do you have in your life?

-What do you do to endure your trials? Do you sleep, eat, yell, spend time on the computer, watch t.v., go shopping, get angry? Are there better things you could do?

-We can endure our trials with cheer by recognizing God in our lives and by living with faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ.

Some points made by various sisters during our discussion:

-I don't think we know what our blessings are. I have had so many health problems which have been a trial to me, but I can also see that they have blessed my life so much by forcing me to move slowly.

-Trials were pushing the Brother of Jared toward the Promised Land and he was praising God for it.

-Remember that you're a child of God. Be grateful. Are you feeling sorry for yourself that you have to walk 6 miles to work and back every day? Be grateful that you have strong legs. Look for God's hand. Appreciate the times when your bread lands with the butter side up. Don't waste energy asking "Why me?" Why not you?

-The Jaredite barges, like Noah's ark, were sealed with pitch. The hebrew word used for pitch is the same word used for Atonement. It is Christ's atonement that makes us water tight against the floods of life.

-People all around us are going through worse trials than we are and they are still making it. Remember that there is a reason for this and remember how good you have it.

-Asking for help or accepting help does not mean that you are not handling your trials well. It does not mean that you have failed. When people offer help it does not mean that they think you're doing a bad job. Let them love and serve you.

-Put yourself in a peaceful mode so you can think. Take yourself away from negative things, like the television, and immerse yourself in something like the scriptures. That is how you can find answers.

-Not only does the wind bring changes, but it moves things, it comes from different directions, you don't always know where it will come from or what it will bring. "The Basics" will cover you now matter what comes, so take care of those things and be prepared spiritually.

Potato Girl note: Michelle, you did a great job today. The Spirit was with us and we appreciated your preparation, humility, and sincerity. Thanks for helping us learn!