Our lesson this week, Living Joyfully in Troubled Times, was given by Sis. Kay Bashford. She pointed out that the majority of the lesson was taken from a presidency message given by Pres. Benson in the 1986 Ensign entitled "Do Not Despair."
Doctrine & Covenants 1:35-36 says, "For I am no respecter of persons, and will that all men shall know that the day speedily cometh; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion. And also the Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst, and shall come down in judgment upon Idumea, or the world."
Pres. Benson teaches us that, "Of all people, we as Latter-day Saints should be the most optimistic and the least pessimistic." We know that the Lord will give us His divine protection if we are living our lives righteously and in accordance with His laws. "With the assurance that the Church shall remain intact with God directing it through the troubled times ahead, it then becomes our individual responsibility to see that each of us remains faithful to the Church and its teachings."
Pres. Benson says, "We will all have disappointments and discouragements - that is part of life. But if we will have faith, our setbacks will be but a moment and success will come out of our seeming failures. Our Heavenly Father can accomplish miracles through each of us if we will but place our confidence and trust in Him."
Being optimistic instead of pessimistic in our lives takes much faith. There is great counsel from Pres. Benson, but he reminds us that we have to work for it. "We have no cause to really worry. Live the gospel, keep the commandments. Attend to your prayers night and morning in your home. Maintain the standards of the Church. Try and live calmly and cheerfully...Happiness must be earned from day to day. But it is worth the effort." He also tells us that, "There are times when you simply have to righteously hang on and outlast the devil until his depressive spirit leaves you. As the Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith: "Thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high." (D&C 121:7-8)
There are 12 points from President Benson from his message, "Do Not Despair" that we learned about in class to help us overcome feelings of despair, discouragement, depression, and despondency. President Benson tells us that if we follow them they, "will lift our spirits and send us on our way rejoicing.They include:
1) Repentance- Make sure your life is in line with the laws of God. 2) Prayer- Never stop communicating with God. 3) Service- When we serve it gets our mind off our troubles and helps us stay in focus. 4) Work- The antidote for worry is work. 5) Health- Our bodies house our Spirits; keep it healthy. 6) Read- It can be enlightening, educating, and a good distraction. 7) Blessing- Ask for a priesthood blessing and partake of the sacrament worthily. 8) Fasting- Matt 17:21 9) Friends- Don't forget that your family should be your best friends. 10) Music- The right music can be uplifting and inspiring. 11) Endure- Hang in there and don't give up. 12) Goals- Press forward and accomplish something, even if it is small.Sis. Bashford added one last point, her own, and that is gratitude. Don't forget to be ever grateful for the blessings you have.
Being optimistic and having faith during trials and difficulty is not easy, but our Father in Heaven will always be with us to bless us. He wants us to be successful and He wants us to be happy. He will do His part if we do our part.
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