“Out of weakness he [Joseph Smith] shall be made strong” is the same message Paul taught. The ancient missionary-apostle wrote:
“Lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
“For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
“And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities … [and] in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7–10).
All of us have weaknesses. We are all given a “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7) to make us humble, and if we allow the humility to work in us properly, we can make the weaknesses our strengths (Ether 12:27). We can actually become strong, even powerful—but the power does not originate in us. Paul wrote, “I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9; emphasis added). Of ourselves, we are nothing; we are totally dependent upon him. The Lord is our strength. The Lord has said, “He that is weak among you hereafter shall be made strong” (D&C 50:16).
As we learn patience, long-suffering, and self-mastery, we will overcome the weaknesses and be “made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9) and have the power of Christ to rest upon us.