The Lord’s people must be tried as by fire. It is great challenges that produce great people, and great difficulties that produce great faith. Of the Savior-and, by extension, all who seek society with him-we are told, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Hebrews 5:8-9). See also commentary on Mosiah 21:1-12.
“He Trieth Their Patience and Their Faith”
We can hardly lay claim to any attribute of godliness unless we have been tried and tested on the matter. It is meaningless to say that someone is filled with love if he has never been in a situation that evokes hate; that he is courageous if he has never been in a situation that elicits fear; that he is generous if he has never been called upon to share; and so forth. It was an epic trial that merited for Abraham the title Father of the Faithful. There are no conquering heroes unless there are great battles to be fought.