The way we react to adversity "can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be," Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve said during the Saturday afternoon session of conference.
He recalled a time he was disappointed that his football team lost a tough game. When he shared his sadness with his mother she told him, "Come what may, and love it." Elder Wirthlin suggested ways to cope with adversity.
Learn to laugh
From his own family, Elder Wirthlin shared experiences where laughter was a blessing, including a time one of his daughters was waiting for a blind date to pick her up. An older man showed up at the door and his daughter, trying to be polite, introduced the man to her family, then went with him to the car. Soon, she came back into the house.
"The man that she thought was her blind date had actually come to pick up another of our daughters who had agreed to be a baby sitter for him and his wife," Elder Wirthlin said, adding that the daughter joined the rest of the family in laughter rather than feeling humiliated and embarrassed.
Elder Wirthlin counseled, "The next time you're tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead."
Seek for the eternal
Elder Wirthlin quoted the Lord's words to Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail: "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" (Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-8).
"With that eternal perspective, Joseph took comfort from these words, and so can we," Elder Wirthlin said.
Understand the principle of compensation
"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss," Elder Wirthlin said. "That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."
From his own life, he spoke of his autistic grandson, Joseph. Though that meant trials, Elder Wirthlin said, "any reservations that his family may have had in raising Joseph, any sacrifice they have made, have been compensated tenfold," including watching Joseph's progress and seeing his goodness.
Trust in our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ
"The Lord Jesus Christ is our partner, helper and advocate," Elder Wirthlin said. "He wants us to be happy. He wants us to be successful. If we do our part, He will step in."
A serious illness suffered by one of his daughters after she gave birth afflicted her for years, Elder Wirthlin said. His advice to her was to "put your trust in God, do your best, then leave the rest to Him." Eventually, his daughter regained her health. He added, "Knowing this daughter, I believe that even if she had never found relief, yet she would have trusted in her Heavenly Father and 'left the rest to Him."'
