Most members of the church are all too familiar with this principle. It seems if there is one concept that is well appreciated it is this one—that the trials and tribulations of mortality serve God’s purpose because they become the refining fire which purifies the soul and gives us experience. Some of the better quotes on this subject are included, Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord (DC 98:3).
Joseph Smith had suffered in Liberty Jail for months before he came to his wits end. He received two great revelations about the process of affliction:
If thou art called to pass through tribulation…if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, 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. (DC 122:5-7)
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. (DC 121:7-8)
Joseph Smith
“I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else, striking with accelerated force against religious bigotry, priest-craft, lawyer-craft, doctor-craft, lying editors, suborned judges and jurors, and the authority of perjured executives, backed by mobs, blasphemers, licentious and corrupt men and women-all hell knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty, who will give me dominion over all and every one of them, when their refuge of lies shall fail, and their hiding place shall be destroyed, while these smooth-polished stones with which I come in contact become marred.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 304)
Elaine Cannon
“Adversity in our own lives can bring life’s purpose to mind. Bad times have certain scientific value, according to Emerson. In his ”Conduct of Life“ essays he says that the trying times are occasions a good learner would not miss. One can learn a great deal. Can it be, then, that if one doesn’t kick against the pricks, increased understanding comes-the nature of God, the importance of the adventure of life?” (Elaine Cannon, Adversity, p. 4)
Marion G. Romney
"If we can bear our afflictions with the understanding, faith, and courage,…we shall be strengthened and comforted in many ways. We shall be spared the torment which accompanies the mistaken idea that all suffering comes as chastisement for transgression…
“…I have seen the remorse and despair in the lives of men who, in the hour of trial, have cursed God and died spiritually. And I have seen people rise to great heights from what seemed to be unbearable burdens.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1969, pp. 59-60 as taken from the Book of Mormon Student Manual, 1981 ed., p. 69)