Adversity Begins With the First Breath

Adversity begins with our very first breath
As we sense the struggle between life and death
Dependent completely for everything at first
One develops ability for better or worse

Then comes the search for independence and choice
To experience the freedom to dream and rejoice
And as we learn, our knowledge comes with a high price
For we discover that the world is not always good and nice

Soon we find we're not always innocent, for we've much that does afflict
As our agency overwhelms us, thereto act and self-inflict
One thing becomes certain, hard times define what we are
And, too, they determine if and when we'll travel far

Fortunately, we've a Savior, who's experienced it all
He is there to give us aid, and comfort us when we fall
He is there to guide us, when we're confused and we're tested
It is for our souls, that He has suffered and invested

As we mature, we gasp that we've this incredible blessing
And we learn ever to grasp His hand when life is distressing
Then we look around at those struggling and want to share
That there is a Savior, with hands, ever stretching to give care

Our Father, in His wisdom, gives us trials to rise above!
Oh, what things we receive when we learn what it is to love
As work hardens our muscles and sorrows try our very souls
It is then we're prepared and strengthened to achieve our highest goals

Are we not exposed to temptations to test and to try us?
And, further, to value the perfection of our Lord, our Jesus?
With pain we learn patience, and conquer feeling horrified
And peace replaces fear of death, unto faith in our being glorified

Thoughts from
President Patterson's talk
March 15, 2009
In Moorpark's Ward Conference
He quoted President Kimball: "Is there not wisdom in his giving us trials that we might rise above them, responsibilities that we might achieve, work to harden our muscles, sorrows to try our souls? Are we not exposed to temptations to test our strength, sickness that we might learn patience, death that we might be immortalized and glorified?"