"No one ever promised us that discipleship in the last days would be a picnic in the park," said Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Council of the Twelve in the April 1984 general conference.
"Life turns outs . . . to be just what one would expect of a deliberately constructed proving and tutoring experience which features opportunities, choices, and deprivations. Furthermore, there is no way around - the only way to go is through! And what a through' it is! . . ."When the earlier coming of Jesus was imminent, signs abounded. Still, for some, there weredoubtings.' (See 3 Ne. 8:4.) But the faithful prevailed and were vindicated."
Elder Maxwell said that for today's spiritually attuned, the reassurances will be there, as with Elisha's young servant.
"Encircled by an outnumbering enemy, the young man rightly sought reassurance from the prophet and seer, who told him, `Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.' (2 Kings 6:16.)
"But the young man could count, and, clearly, it did not look that way to him - until after the prophet's prayer in his behalf. Then, the young man's eyes were opened, and he saw the mountain filled with horses and chariots of fire." (2 Kings 6:17.)
"All will be well now, as anciently, because the Lord's covenant keepers have His echoing assurance: `And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: . . . And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good.' " (Jer. 32:38-40.)
