Saints running from mob

C. C. A. Christensen (1831–1912), Saints Driven from Jackson County Missouri, c. 1878, tempera on muslin, 77 ¼ × 113 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, gift of the grandchildren of C. C. A. Christensen, 1970

September 12

How Can We Face Adversity with Faith?

Doctrine and Covenants 98–101

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Counsel Together

Led by a member of the quorum or class presidency; approximately 10–20 minutes

At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Young Women Theme or the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme. Then lead a discussion about the work of salvation and exaltation using one or more of the questions below or questions of your own (see General Handbook, 10.2, 11.2, ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Plan ways to act on what you discuss.

• Live the gospel. How can turning to the Lord help us deal with our challenges and trials?

• Care for those in need. Who do we know who needs our prayers and our friendship?

• Invite all to receive the gospel. What plans to share the gospel have been discussed in ward youth council meetings? How can our class or quorum get involved?

• Unite families for eternity. How can doing family history work strengthen our relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:

• Testify of the principles taught.

• Remind quorum or class members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.

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Teach the Doctrine

Led by an adult leader or youth; approximately 25–35 minutes

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

God’s words in Doctrine and Covenants 98 and 101 offered comfort to the Saints who were facing severe trials in Missouri in the 1830s. While our trials may be different from those of early Church members, we all face adversity during mortality, and responding faithfully to adversity can help us grow spiritually and become more like Jesus Christ.

How has turning to the Lord during times of adversity strengthened you and improved your relationship with Jesus Christ? What challenges and trials are members of your quorum or class experiencing, and how can you help them find strength in the Savior? To help you prepare to teach about adversity, you might review Elder Neil L. Andersen’s message “Wounded” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 83–86) and “Adversity” in True to the Faith ([2004], 8–11).

young man outside

We can find peace in times of adversity by turning to the Savior.

Learn Together

Each of your quorum or class members is struggling with his or her own challenges. What comfort do you feel they can find in Doctrine and Covenants 98:1–3? You might use one or more of the activities below to help them understand how to endure adversity with faith in the Lord.

• The scriptures contain many examples of people who faithfully endured trials. Quorum or class members can learn how to faithfully endure adversity by studying some of these examples (see some in “Supporting Resources”). They could each choose one of the scripture passages and summarize that person’s experience for the quorum or class. What insights do we gain about why we have adversity? What do we learn about how to faithfully endure adversity? Invite quorum or class members to each write down a trial that they or their loved ones are facing and to ponder how they can draw on the Savior’s power to help them during these trials.

• To learn about some of the causes of adversity and what we can learn from our trials, you could read together the first two paragraphs under “Adversity” in True to the Faith (page 8). Ask quorum or class members to share what they learned. Then each person could review one of the remaining three sections under “Adversity” and prepare to teach the rest what they learn, including how the Savior can help us during times of trial. Encourage them to share a personal experience related to what they read if they feel comfortable doing so.

• One way to prompt a discussion about adversity is to draw a line down the middle of the board and write Why do we have adversity? on one side and How can we face adversity faithfully? on the other side. Each member of your quorum or class could read one of the sections from Elder Neil L. Andersen’s message “Wounded,” looking for answers to the questions on the board. What do we learn about the Savior from Elder Andersen’s message?

• Elder Stanley G. Ellis used the examples of baby chicks and butterflies to teach about adversity in his message “Do We Trust Him? Hard Is Good” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 112–14). You could show a picture of a chick hatching or a butterfly emerging from a cocoon and discuss what Elder Ellis taught. Those you teach could then work together in pairs to review Elder Ellis’s talk. Each pair could list everything they can find that he taught about why we have adversity and how we should respond to it. How has enduring faithfully during times of adversity helped us come closer to the Savior?

Act in Faith

Encourage quorum or class members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. How does today’s lesson relate to personal goals they have made? If they would like, quorum or class members could share their ideas.

Supporting Resources

• 1 Samuel 1; 1 Kings 17; Luke 23:33–34; 1 Nephi 5:1–9; Mosiah 24:8–17; 3 Nephi 1:4–21; Moroni 1; Guide to the Scriptures, “Ruth” and “Esther,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org (Examples of people who faced adversity)

• John 14:18; Romans 8:28, 35–39; Alma 36:3 (The Savior can help us during adversity)

• “God Will Lift Us Up,” “The Will of God,” videos, ChurchofJesusChrist.org

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

The Savior personally knew those He taught—and He knew who they could become. When they struggled, He did not give up on them but continued to love them. What struggles are the youth having? How can you show love and support?