10 Best Quotes from Apostles and Prophets About Overcoming Trials

We all go through challenges on Earth. Some of them are physical, spiritual, or mental. Some are temporary, and others can accompany us for years. The scriptures record that righteous men also passed through trials, such as Job, who lost everything, and Elijah. We can also include Joseph Smith. Currently, about 1.2 billion people in the world suffer from some type of mental disorder, which represents almost 15% of the global population. Personally, I suffer from anxiety and receive psychological support.

Because of this, the prophets and apostles of the Church share messages to comfort us, like a hug from God. Here are 10 of the best quotes from apostles and prophets about overcoming trials.

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1. Patience Through Difficult Times

“Who can count the vast throngs of the lonely, the aged, the helpless- those who feel abandoned by the caravan of life as it moves relentlessly onward and then disappears beyond the sight of those who ponder, who wonder, and who sometimes question as they are left alone with their thoughts. Patience can be a helpful companion during such stressful times.”

Thomas S. Monson | Patience- A Heavenly Virtue, October 1995 General Conference

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2. God Knows and Loves Us

When personal difficulty, doubt, or discouragement darken our path, or when world conditions beyond our control lead us to wonder about the future, the spiritually defining memories from our book of life are like luminous stones that help brighten the road ahead, assuring us that God knows us, loves us and has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to help us return home.

Elder Neil L. Andersen | Spiritually Defining Memories

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3. Strength for Our Burdens

“The Lord will shape the back to bear the burdens placed upon it.”

Thomas S. Monson

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4. Purpose in Adversity

“Adversity should not be viewed as either disfavor from the Lord or a withdrawal of His blessings. Opposition in all things is part of the refiner’s fire to prepare us for an eternal celestial destiny.”

Elder Quentin L. Cook | Foundations of Faith

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5. Trials Can Bless Us

“There is a divine purpose in the adversities we encounter every day. They prepare, they purge, they purify, and thus they bless.”

James E. Faust | The Refiner's Fire, Ensign, May 1979, 53

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6. Faith During Life’s Journey

No matter how difficult the trail, and regardless of how heavy our load, we can take comfort in knowing that others before us have borne life’s most grievous trials and tragedies by looking to heaven for peace, comfort, and hopeful assurance. We can know as they knew that God is our Father, that He cares about us individually and collectively, and that as long as we continue to exercise our faith and trust in Him there is nothing to fear in the journey.

Elder M. Russell Ballard | “You Have Nothing to Fear from the Journey,” Ensign, May 1997, p. 59

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7. Learning Through Affliction

“Many of the most important principles of intelligence cannot be taught at universities, from books, or through other temporal learning processes. Often these great principles are learned from afflictions, tribulations, and other mortal experiences. All that we learn in this manner will benefit us not only in this life but also in the next, for ‘whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection’ (D&C 130:18).”

Monte J. Brough | “Adversity, the Great Teacher,” Ensign, Aug. 2006, 10

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8. Finding Peace Through Faith

“Living the gospel does not mean the storms of life will pass us by, but we will be better prepared to face them with serenity and peace. ‘Search diligently, pray always, and be believing,’ the Lord admonished, ‘and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly.'”

Joseph B. Wirthlin | "Finding a Safe Harbor," Ensign, May 2000, 59

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9. Peace Comes Through Hope

“Everybody in this life has their challenges and difficulties. That is part of our mortal test. The reason for some of these trials cannot be readily understood except on the basis of faith and hope because there is often a larger purpose which we do not always understand. Peace comes through hope.”

James E. Faust | Hope, an Anchor of the Soul, Ensign, Nov 1999, 59

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10. Patience in Our Trials

“Life is full of difficulties. Some are minor and others are major. There seems to be an unending supply of challenges for one and all. Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required.”

Thomas S. Monson

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Conclusion

Going through some type of mental health problem is not a lack of faith, a lack of God, or weakness. The Lord will be by our side, as He promised in Mosiah 24:14:

And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

It is important to consider that we should seek professional counseling and advice from our trusted leaders, and keep in mind: God will always be by your side.

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The use of AI in this article was only for grammatical revision and proofreading.

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