As part of Heavenly Father's plan, we all must experience adversity during our lifetime, but how we react to adversity will bring us happiness or misery. This lesson, activity and story will help teach your family how to react to adversity in a positive way, while emphasizing that Heavenly Father compensates us when we endure well.
What does it mean to “Do all you can and then leave the rest to the Lord”? (Discuss ideas.)
As you face adversity and hardships in your life, remember that you are not alone. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
What are some of the ways that the Lord compensated Joseph for enduring adversity well? (Discuss ideas. For additional help watch chapter 11 from The Complete Learning System
Joseph in Egypt DVD.)
“And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?” (Gen. 41:38)
We will probably never have to experience hardships and adversity as great as Joseph did, but we can pray for help to bear our burdens well, like Joseph did, and know that a loving Heavenly Father will be there for us, too.
Kayla rushed to her room after school. Plopping down on her bed, she covered her head with her pillow and cried, “Why does this always happen to me?”
Mother knocked softly on Kayla’s bedroom door. “Can I come in?”
Kayla wiped away the tears and hid her face behind a book before answering, “Come on in.”
Mother sat next to Kayla on the bed. “Is something wrong, honey?” she asked. “You seemed upset when you got home from school.”
“I think I’m coming down with a cold,” Kayla lied. “We better cancel my party.”
Mother felt Kayla’s forehead. “You’re not running a fever. Does your throat or ears hurt?”
“No, I’m just all stuffed up,” Kayla sniffled.
Mother put her arm gently around Kayla’s shoulders. “I sometimes get that way when I’ve been crying.”
“Oh, Mom,” Kayla cried. “Look,” Kayla said showing her mother the pretty invitation. “Jillian’s
having a party the same day as mine. I sent my invitations out first, but I just know everyone’s going to go to Jillian’s party instead of mine. It’s just not fair!”
Mother handed Kayla a tissue. “Oh, Kayla. I’m sorry, but sometimes life just isn’t fair and I don’t think Jillian is trying to hurt you. After all she did invite you.”
“But, Jillian knew that’s when my party was,” Kayla blurted. “How come she’s so mean? She should’ve had her party on another day. Oh, I hate her so much.”
“Kayla, that’s not like you! You’re usually more Christ like,” Mother admonished.
Kayla hung her head. “I’m sorry. I don’t really hate Jillian. I’m just so mad.”
“Kayla, do you remember Elder Wirthlin’s talk in conference? The one about how his mother taught him to face disappointment and adversity?”
“I do remember,” Kayla answered. “She said, ‘Come what may and love it!’ But Elder Wirthlin said that didn’t mean we couldn’t be sad.”
“That’s true, but he did say how we handle adversity will determine whether you are miserable or happy. So, you can mope around and be miserable and no one will want to come to your party or you can figure out how to make the best of it. Now, how are you going to turn that frown upside down and ‘come what may, and love it?’”
Kayla continued to frown. “I don’t know, but after I tell Heavenly Father how sorry I am for saying I hate Jillian, I can ask Him what to do and I know He’ll help me.”
Mother kissed the top of Kayla’s head. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”
After spending some time on her knees praying, Kayla had an idea. She quickly ran to find mother. “Mom. After I prayed, the Holy Ghost told me what to do. I’m going to ask Jillian if we can
combine our parties. That way, no one will have to choose which party they are going to go to.”
Mother smiled, “I’m so proud of you for listening to the spirit, Kayla. Would you like me to go over to the Kirkhams together to talk to Jillian and her mother?s”
“I was praying you’d come with me. Oh, Mom. I have a really good feeling inside that Jillian will agree and this is going to be the best party ever!”
Let children roll dough into 1 inch balls and put on ungreased baking sheet.
Lightly flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass.
Use a toothpick or skewer to draw a smiley face on each cookie.
Bake for 8 minutes.
Ingredients
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
ACTIVITY
Activity: Younger children will need help from an older sibling or parent.
1. Explain: When Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin was a young boy his mother taught him to
endure adversity well. “Joseph,” she said, “come what may, and love it.”
2. Explain: Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin’s mother was not trying to teach him to suppress his sorrow
or to hide his pain, but to handle adversity without anger or resentment.
3. Explain: Those who learn from difficult times become stronger, wiser and happier.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin taught us four things in October 2008 conference that can help us through difficult times:
a. Learn to Laugh. Instead of getting angry or depressed, look for the humor in the situation.
b. Seek for the Eternal. Ask yourself: What is Heavenly Father trying to teach me from this experience?
c. The Principle of Compensation. Remember that the Lord compensates
the faithful for every loss.
d. Trust in the Father and the Son. Handle your burden the best you can
and then leave the rest to them.
8. What are some of the ways that the Lord compensated Joseph for enduring adversity well? (Discuss ideas. For additional help watch chapter 11 from The Complete Learning System Joseph in Egypt DVD.)
“And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?” (Gen. 41:38)
9. When Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin was a young boy his mother taught him to endure adversity well. “Joseph,” she said, “come what may, and love it.” She was not trying to teach him to suppress his sorrow or to hide his pain, but to handle adversity without anger or resentment. Those who learn from difficult times become stronger, wiser and happier.
10. Sing: Children’s Songbook #267, “Smiles.” (If desired, use the smiley/frowney face artwork from the above activity.)
11. How can smiling help make difficult times better? (Discuss ideas.)
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