The revelations, for which we are grateful, show that we
should even give thanks for our afflictions because they
turn our hearts to God and give us opportunities to
prepare for what God would have us become.
In the midst of the persecutions the Latter-day
Saints were suffering in Missouri, the Lord gave a
similar teaching and promise: "Verily I say unto you my
friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea,
rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks; ...
and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work
together for your good."
And to Joseph Smith in the afflictions of Liberty Jail,
the Lord said, "Know thou, my son, that all these things
shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."
Brigham Young understood.
Said he, "There is not a single condition of life [or]
one hour's experience but what is beneficial to all those who
make it their study, and aim to improve upon the experience
they gain." As someone has said, there is a big
difference between 20 years' experience and 1 year's
experience repeated 20 times.
If we understand the Lord's teachings and promises, we
will learn and grow from our adversities.