Elder Packer gave a talk in November 1995, “The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness”.  He recounts the story of the Donner Party.  A group of hikers that were trapped for weeks in below freezing temperatures.  They experienced things that should not be repeated or remembered, but impossible to forget.  John Breen, a 15-year-old member of the company states, “most of the incidents are gone from memory, but I can always see the camp near Johnson’s Ranch.”  Breen had forgotten all the horrid incidents from his ordeal, he forgot the cannibalism, loss of limbs, and frost bite.  The only thing he recalls from his experience is the sun rising on Johnson’s Ranch as it lights up the ground. 

Thinking about trials what is it that we remember? Is it the pain we felt, the hardships we faced, the people who hurt us, or the tears we shed? Rather, do we remember the lessons we learned, the power of the Atonement, or the strength we gained from going through them.  The scars we have are signs of a fighter, not something that should shame us.  Everyone goes through hard times and falls down, but everyone has the blessing of being carried by the Atonement. 

During times of trials sometimes we become selfish.  We want people to pity us because of what we are going through, and we want them to help.  During these times, though the two things that helps us the most are: service and prayers of gratitude.  God gives us trials because He trusts us, He knows that we can go through them.  We should thank Him for the opportunity to grow and learn.  We should also aspire to be selfless and help those around us, if we do so, God will bless us even more.

 Doctrine and Covenants 121: 7-9, “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.  Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.  Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job.”

Trials and obstacles pass.  The never linger long.  God promises to lift us after.  Like John Breen of the Donner company we won’t remember our struggles for long, rather we remember the beauty after them.