BYU Speeches: Adversity

My wife got a copy of this collection of BYU Speeches revolving around the theme of adversity. It is also subtitled "Finals Survival Kit Speeches." It contains a collection from Jeffrey R. Holland, James E. Faust, Spencer W. Kimball, and Vaughn J. Featherstone. Each talk was excellent and had suggestions and insights that I found very helpful when it comes to dealing with adversity in my own life.

Jeffrey R. Holland actually has two talks used in this book, both titles of which have since been used in books he has written: However Long and Hard the Road and For Times of Trouble. I really love Elder Holland, and it was great to read these talks, and especially to hear him give encouragement. In fact, this whole book is one worth reading again and again.

Overall, I learned a very important thing from this book. Life is full of trials. We need to expect them and work with them, not wait to live until the trials have passed. It is enduring through the trials and living faithfully through the trials that produce the outcome the trials were meant to bring about in the first place. A common characteristic among all these speakers was humor. Good, appropriate humor helps us endure trials faithfully and come out on top.

The other lesson I learned is to encourage others who may be going through trials right now as well. Giving comfort and encouragement to others will not only bless their lives, but it will bless ours also. Joining together, we can make it through anything. But most important of all, we must unite ourselves with our Savior Jesus Christ. It is He who overcame all things. It is He who is our defender and shield. It is He who is our Comforter and Friend. It is He who can mold us into who we are destined to become.