Life is Hard

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday afternoon session of the October 2008 conference.

This session had some memorable talks, one of which was given by apostle Elder Quentin L. Cook titled, "Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time."

As I listened to this talk I thought of our current family challenge of one of my niece's three year old son being diagnosed with leukemia just last month. This is a new challenge for us, but I believe we'll get through it as we have the many others that have come our way. 

"One of the essential doctrines illuminated by the Restoration is that there must be opposition in all things for righteousness to be brought to pass. This life is not always easy, nor was it meant to be; it is a time of testing and proving."

Going through the trial of our son's suicide has been the most difficult thing I've ever experienced. It was so final and unfixable. There was nothing I could do to change the outcome; no way for another chance to do things differently. But through it all I have felt the love of my Heavenly Father and Savior. We have experienced so many tender mercies that I know He loves us and knows our pain. It has strengthened my resolve to pass my test and be found worthy of the blessings I desire in the eternities.

Life is hard! For everyone. And all our tests are tailor made to refine us and teach us eternal truths. Fortunately it's an open book test and we can ask the headmaster all the questions we want and at the appropriate time He will help us find the answers. I know this is true!