Liberty Jail

This morning, I was flipping through my institute journal and reviewing the lessons we've had thus far. On the bottom of one page, I left a not for myself that said, "Look up Elder Holland's talk from a CES broadcast in 2008." I don't remember why I wrote that, but I'm sure glad I did today. It discusses Joseph Smith's experience in Liberty Jail and how he was able to turn that difficult place into a would-be temple and was able to draw a lot of strength from that experience. Elder Holland then related that to our lives:

Every one of us, in one way or another, great or small, dramatic or incidental, is going to spend a little time in Liberty Jail—spiritually speaking. We will face things we do not want to face for reasons that may not have been our fault. Indeed, we may face difficult circumstances for reasons that were absolutely right and proper, reasons that came because we were trying to keep the commandments of the Lord. We may face persecution; we may endure heartache and separation from loved ones; we may be hungry and cold and forlorn. Yes, before our lives are over we may all be given a little taste of what the prophets faced often in their lives. But the lessons of the winter of 1838–39 teach us that every experience can become a redemptive experience if we remain bonded to our Father in Heaven through that difficulty. These difficult lessons teach us that man’s extremity is God’s opportunity, and if we will be humble and faithful, if we will be believing and not curse God for our problems, He can turn the unfair and inhumane and debilitating prisons of our lives into temples—or at least into a circumstance that can bring comfort and revelation, divine companionship and peace.

The talk continues on by teaching us that: (1) everyone faces trying times, (2) even the worthy will suffer, (3) remain calm, patient, charitable, and forgiving, and (4) do all things cheerfully.

I'm so grateful that I read this talk this morning. It really helped a lot. Here's the link:

http://lds.org/library/display/0,4945,538-1-4543-1,00.html