“We are all afflicted in some manner.” (Reyna I. Aburto, Relief Society General Presidency, “We Are The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” General Conference, April 2022)
“Our current challenging circumstances are not our final, eternal destination.” (Lisa L. Harkness, Primary General Presidency, “Peace, Be Still” General Conference, October 2020)
“We have every reason to rejoice, for our Lord and Savior is keenly aware of our troubles, cares, and sorrows. As Jesus was with His disciples of old, He is in our boat!” (Lisa L. Harkness, Primary General Presidency, “Peace, Be Still” General Conference, October 2020)
“There may be times when you, like the servant, find yourself struggling to see how God is working in your life—times when you feel under siege—when the trials of mortality bring you to your knees. Wait and trust in God and in His timing, because you can trust His heart with all of yours.” (Michelle D. Craig, “Eyes to See,” General Conference, October 2020)
“Your struggles do not define you, but they can refine you.” (Reyna I. Aburto, Relief Society General Presidency, “Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!”, General Conference, October 2019)
“When we open up about our emotional challenges, admitting we are not perfect, we give others permission to share their struggles. Together we realize there is hope and we do not have to suffer alone.” (Reyna I. Aburto, Relief Society General Presidency, “Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!”, General Conference, October 2019)
“When tragedies overtake us, when life hurts so much we can’t breathe, when we’ve taken a beating like the man on the road to Jericho and been left for dead, Jesus comes along and pours oil into our wounds, lifts us tenderly up, takes us to an inn, looks after us.” (Sharon Eubank, Relief Society General Presidency, “Christ: The Light That Shines in Darkness,” General Conference, April 2019)
“We can lose our trusting connection to God if trials drive us to distraction instead of sending us to our knees.” (Neill F. Marriott, Young Women General Presidency, “Abiding In God and Repairing the Breach,” General Conference, October 2017)
“Turning your thoughts outward, instead of dwelling on your own problems, may not resolve all of these issues, but service can often lighten your burdens and make your challenges seem less hard.” (Bonnie L Oscarson, former Young Women General President, “Young Women in the Work,” General Conference, April 2018)
“If the love we feel for the Savior and what He did for us is greater than the energy we give to weaknesses, self-doubts, or bad habits, then He will help us overcome the things which cause suffering in our lives. He saves us from ourselves.” (Joy D. Jones, Primary General President, “Value Beyond Measure,” General Conference, October 2017)
“Our mortal experiences offer us the opportunity to choose holiness.” (Carol F. McConkie, Young Women General Presidency, “The Beauty of Holiness,” General Conference, April 2017)
“In times of trouble, our prayers become a lifeline of love and tender mercy.” (Carol F. McConkie, Young Women General Presidency, “The Soul’s Sincere Desire,” General Conference, October 2016)
“What will it matter…what we suffered here if, in the end, those trials are the very things which qualify us for eternal life and exaltation in the kingdom of God with our Father and Savior?” (Linda S. Reeves, Relief Society General Presidency, “Worthy of Our Promised Blessings,” General Conference, October 2015)
“I do not know why we have the many trials that we have, but it is my personal feeling that the reward is so great, so eternal and everlasting, so joyful and beyond our understanding that in that day of reward, we may feel to say to our merciful, loving Father, ‘Was that all that was required?’” (Linda S. Reeves, Relief Society General Presidency, “Worthy of Our Promised Blessings,” General Conference, October 2015)
“The Lord allows us to be tried and tested, sometimes to our maximum capacity. We have seen the lives of loved ones–and maybe our own–figuratively burned to the ground and have wondered why a loving and caring Heavenly Father would allow such things to happen. But He does not leave us in the ashes; He stands with open arms, eagerly inviting us to come to Him. He is building our lives into magnificent temples where His Spirit can dwell eternally.” (Linda S. Reeves, Relief Society General Presidency, “Claim the Blessings of Your Covenants,” General Conference, October 2013)
“At different times in our lives, whether we are new converts to the Church or lifelong members, we may find that this vibrant enthusiasm has faded. Sometimes this happens when times are challenging and we must practice patience. Sometimes it happens at the peak of our prosperity and abundance. Whenever I have this feeling, I know I need to refocus my efforts on increasing my gospel knowledge and living gospel principles more fully in my life.” (Ann M. Dibb, Young Women General Presidency, “I Know It. I Live It. I Love It.” General Conference, October 2012)
“Why does the Lord allow suffering and adversity to come to us in this life? Simply put, it is part of the plan for our growth and progress! We ‘shouted for joy’ when we knew we would have the opportunity to come to earth to experience mortality.” (Linda K. Burton, Relief Society General President, “Is Faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ Written in Our Hearts?” General Conference, October 2012)
“Many today live in circumstances that are not ideal. We continue to teach and strive for the ideal because we know that continually striving will keep us progressing along the path and prepare us for opportunities to receive all promised blessings as we ‘wait upon the Lord.'” (Carole M. Stephens, Relief Society General Presidency, “Wide Awake to Our Duties,” General Conference, October 2012)
“Each of us has had and will continue to have adversity in our lives. This mortal life is a time of testing, and we will continue to have opportunities to use our agency to choose what we will learn from the adversity that will surely come.” (Carole M. Stephens, Relief Society General Presidency, “Wide Awake to Our Duties,” General Conference, October 2012)
“Our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, know us and love us. They know when we are in pain or suffering in any way. They do not say, “It’s OK that you’re in pain right now because soon everything is going to be all right. You will be healed, or your husband will find a job, or your wandering child will come back.” They feel the depth of our suffering, and we can feel of Their love and compassion in our suffering.” (Linda S. Reeves, Relief Society General Presidency, “The Lord Has Not Forgotten You,” General Conference, October 2012)
The Lord “has not forgotten you! Whatever sin or weakness or pain or struggle or trial you are going through, He knows and understands those very moments.” (Linda S. Reeves, Relief Society General Presidency, “The Lord Has Not Forgotten You,” General Conference, October 2012)
“Despite popular media messages to the contrary, no one is rich enough, beautiful enough, or clever enough to avoid a mortal experience.” (Julie B. Beck, Relief Society General President, “And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit,” General Conference, April 2010)
“In the scriptures there are very few stories of individuals who lived in blissful happiness and experienced no opposition. We learn and grow by overcoming challenges with faith, persistence, and personal righteousness.” (Ann M. Dibb, Young Women General Presidency, “Hold On,” General Conference, October 2009)
“Jesus’s disciples on the Sea of Galilee had to toil in rowing against a contrary wind all through the night before Jesus finally came to their aid. He did not come until the ‘fourth watch,’ meaning near dawn. Yet He did come.” (Susan W. Tanner, Recently Released Young Women General President, “My Soul Delighteth in the Things of the Lord,” General Conference, April 2008)
“The gospel promises us a rock in the storms and whirlwinds, not an umbrella.” (Susan W. Tanner, Young Women General President, “Glad Tidings from Cumorah,” General Conference, April 2005)
“Dark and difficult experiences help us to feel the light from Heavenly Father’s love.” (Gayle M. Clegg, Primary General Presidency, “The Light of His Love,” General Conference, April 2003)
Spiritual Thoughts by Women 