Katelyn Elgaaen in Utica New York: July 31, 2017 About 6 months-I think?

This week has been way too fast.

In Church Elder Lee gave the lesson on Trials. We focused the class on D&C 121. In verses 1-6 Joseph Smith is basically asking 'Where are you Heavenly Father, Why are you allowing these bad things to happen?' Heavenly Father's response is , 'calm down, if you can calm down I will give you some answers.'

1 O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place? Where are you God?

2 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? When are you going to make this stop?3 Yea, O Lord, how long shall they suffer these wrongs and unlawful oppression's, before thine heart shall be softened toward them, and thy bowels be moved with compassion toward them? You are all powerful... are you going to do something about this?4 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. 5 Let thine anger be kindled against our enemies; and, in the fury of thine heart, with thy sword avenge us of our wrongs. 6 Remember thy suffering saints, O our God; and thy servants will rejoice in thy name forever. 7. My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. 9 Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands. 10 Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job.

If death was the end, then - Why would god allow all of these terrible things to happen in the world? Why are there wars, and innocent people suffering, and even neighbors or families fighting with each other? Why? BUT death is Not the end. This time that we have been blessed with on earth is just a time to prepare to meet God. It is a time to exercise our priceless gift of agency that was purchased with our Saviors life.Trials can either make or break your faith The Lord's ways are not our ways. He sees the Big picture and asks us to 'come follow Him' and trust that He knows better than us.

What exactly do trails do? They can prove us. Job is a perfect example of this. He had everything, and was given trials to allow him to show himself that he would Always choose the Lord. Trials can come because of our own transgressions. They can help us grow closer to the Lord and gain Empathy for those who are going through a similar experience, or a wake up call to get up and do something. It could be a trail is happens due to the natural consequence of mortality (death and sicknesses). Or a trial could occur because it will help us accomplish the Lord's purpose on the earth.

You are either going uphill in each situation, or you are doing down hill. No one can stand still, and there is no level ground during this earthly experience.

I hope and pray that we are able to seek through prayer what He wants us to learn from our trails, then Listen. I know that being tested and tried is not easy nor fun. But, Heavenly Father knows what we can handle (1 Nephi 3:7), and He only allows things to happen, and corrections to take place because He loves us and will NEVER take away our ability to choose.

Have a wonderful week! and Choose to Follow the Savior and turn to him in Every moment.