No more seminary! I am so lost. What do I do for scripture study? I have read the assignment for Sunday School…twice. Even read some supporting articles. Now what! I can study anything I want? What a gift!



For family scripture study yesterday, Dad and I were reading in 1 Peter 4:12, 13.  I hadn't been getting much out of Peter this time around. It reminded me of Old English Legalese. But these two scriptures caught my attention. Study material!



Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.



Not just joy, but exceeding joy!



I love the BYU Scripture Citation site. (Thank you to all the poor students that have put that together.)  First quote listed is Neal A. Maxwell. We know that one will be good. It is from a talk in 1997 entitled "From Whom all Blessings Flow."



"Those who emerge successfully from their varied and fiery "trials" (furnaces) have experienced the grace of the Lord, which He says is sufficient (Ether 12:27)."



Stop! How often do I think that once I have completed something difficult in my life, that I made it through by the grace of my Savior? Or am I like the man who sees the single footsteps on the sand and does not realize they are not his footprints but Christ's.



By suffering I have the opportunity to be a “partaker of Christ’s suffering?”  I do not presume to believe that what I suffer comes close to what Christ endured, but does it allow me to glimpse and understand more fully and appreciate more completely what he endured?  Do I even think like that?   And what is it that disappoints God most?  When we do not acknowledge Him in all things. 



I am humbled.  I complain and gripe and groan and cry and gnash my teeth about my trials.  From now on, I pray that I will have a completely different attitude.  In D&C 121 we are advised that our problems will be for our own good.  Yes, they could be, if I allowed them to teach me of my Savior.  I can better understand Him because of my trials. 



Referring to Elder Maxwell’s quote, if I emerge from my trials, I do so because of the grace of Christ.  It is sufficient, enough, adequate.  The fact that I emerge from my trials is proof that he cares.  I think I have done it alone.  I foolishly give myself credit for enduring.  Hah!  I did nothing.  Without acknowledgement or receipt of gratitude, my Savior has carried me through.  I am nothing but a piece of ungrateful dust (Mosiah 2). 



I pray that I will remember this and put it to use in my life.  I can glimpse the joy and peace I can receive. 

I have to include Elder Maxwell's next statement.  "Even so, brothers and sisters, such emerging individuals do not rush to line up in front of another fiery furnace in order to get an extra turn."

Thank you Elder Maxwell.