Long suffering

Last night as I read a conference talk one of the footnotes hit me with great force.

Brian K. Ashton, Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency talked of The Doctrine of Christ. Near the end of his talk he says "we must endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God." The footnote for that passage says: Enduring to the end is aptly named, as it requires both time and endurance (see James 1:2-4) The fact is that we cannot develop some Christlike attributes without facing opposition and difficulties. For example, how can we become long suffering if we are never required to suffer for a long time? (emphasis mine)