Trials and Tribulations

With a knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we recognize that God gives us trials and tribulations to strengthen us. Just recently I have gone through trials on my mission where I needed to get an emergency surgery which put my down for recovery. This is really hard for me because I love to do missionary work and to share what I know about the restored Gospel with the people of this great mission.

The other day  I read a story about a prophet who saw tribulation much more than I can handle. This prophet, the Prophet Joseph Smith, saw his family bruised and beaten, his friends tarred and feathered and the Saints pushed off their God-given land.
He said this in a prayer to his Father who knows him as he knows you:
"O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place? How long shall thy hand be stayed, and thine eye, yea thy pure eye, behold from the eternal heavens the wrongs of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries? Yea, O Lord, how long shall they suffer these wrongs and unlawful oppressions, before thine heart shall be softened toward them, and thy bowels be moved with compassion toward them? O Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven, earth, and seas, and of all things that in them are, and who controllest and subjectest the devil, and the dark and benighted dominion of Sheol—stretch forth thy hand; let thine eye pierce; let thy pavilion be taken up; let thy hiding place no longer be covered; let thine ear be inclined; let thine heart be softened, and thy bowels moved with compassion toward us. Let thine anger be kindled against our enemies; and, in the fury of thine heart, with thy sword avenge us of our wrongs. Remember thy suffering saints, O our God; and thy servants will rejoice in thy name forever."

Here is the Lord's Response, which is amazing:
"Remember thy suffering saints, O our God; and thy servants will rejoice in thy name forever. My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes."

The Lord is in control. I want all to know that I know that! He knows us perfectly. He knows what we can handle better than we can.

Elder Kuck