Digital Only: Young Adults
Facing Adversity Doesn’t Mean Things Have Gone Wrong
As I faced one trial after the next, rather than removing the problems, God blessed me with strength and hope.
When I was a teenager, I got really sick. My parents didn’t have enough money to send me to the hospital, so we went from church to church looking for someone to help, but no one could. After a while we gave up, and I was left suffering both physically and emotionally.
I remember asking, “What is the purpose of life? Why am I here? Are miracles even real?”
When I had a little bit of strength during this sickness, I would read religious books from different denominations, trying to find answers and peace. One day I silently prayed to God, telling Him the desire I had to join a church—but I didn’t know which one!
A year later I recovered physically but still had many questions. One day I saw my brother talking to two young men wearing white shirts. They invited me and the rest of my siblings to join their conversation.
This was the first time I heard about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Book of Mormon.
That same week, we were invited to attend a church service, and soon I was invited to be baptized. I accepted without hesitation. I’ve been a member ever since and eventually had the privilege of serving a full-time mission.
However, there were times I faced opposition from family members, friends, and others around me. Some of them tried to discourage me, humiliate me, and insult my newfound faith. But, despite the difficulties, I kept going.
Adversity Allows Us to Grow
My experience with joining the Church taught me that sometimes good people go through hard times. Adversity and trials can make us feel uncertain about the future. And sometimes we even doubt our potential or if we are on the right path. But I came to learn that I wasn’t experiencing adversity because I had done something wrong. In fact, it was the opposite.
I experienced adversity because adversity is part of God’s plan.
The Lord said to Joseph Smith: “And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; … if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good” (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7).
During our mortal journey on earth, we may experience trials, disappointment, sadness, sickness, or other heartaches, but we cannot give up or leave the gospel path. These difficulties are what allow us to become more like God.
God Loves Us and Answers Our Prayers
Describing his experience praying to God, Enos said, “And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him” (Enos 1:4).
Like Enos, I had prayed sincerely when I’d struggled with a heart condition and again later when I’d faced opposition for joining the Church. God answered my prayers by bringing me the necessary comfort and hope I needed during each experience.
Even though He didn’t necessarily heal my heart condition or prevent people from persecuting me for joining the Church, He still sent me special reassurances and hope that helped me to stay strong on the covenant path.
Peace after the Storm
I know that we are here on the earth to learn, grow, and prepare to meet God. I am happy my adversity led me to embrace the gospel, to know my true identity, and to be in the service of God’s children. I am grateful that I did not give up when I faced adversity for joining the Church. Since then, I have been blessed with an acceptance into Brigham Young University–Idaho and was able to serve as a missionary for BYU–Pathway Worldwide.
God will direct us, refine us, and lead us to our divine destiny that He has uniquely prepared for each of us. I know that as we stay on His covenant path, we will find happiness in this life as well as the life to come.