To Overcome All Things

"There is meaning and purpose in our earthly challenges. Consider the Prophet Joseph Smith: throughout his life he faced daunting opposition—illness, accident, poverty, misunderstanding, false accusation, and even persecution. One might be tempted to ask, 'Why didn't the Lord protect His prophet from such obstacles, provide him with unlimited resources, and stop up the mouths of his accusers?' The answer is, Each of us must go through certain experiences to become more like our Savior. In the school of mortality, the tutor is often pain and tribulation, but the lessons are meant to refine and bless us and strengthen us, not to destroy us. Said the Lord to faithful Joseph:" 'My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment' (D&C 121:7). " 'If thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; . . . know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good' (D&C 122:7). "In our day, the steadying arm of the Lord reaches us through the ordinances of His holy temples. Said the Prophet Joseph to the early Saints in Nauvoo, 'You need an endowment, brethren, in order that you may be prepared and able to overcome all things' (History of the Church, 2:309). How right he was! Being blessed with the temple covenants and endowed with power made it possible for the Latter-day Saints to endure tribulation with faith."
Robert D. Hales Ensign, May 2003, p. 17

I'm grateful that on Earth we're granted angels to guide us through those particularly tumultuous times, that in those times of distress the loyalty of friends and loved ones is revealed to us. I'm grateful for prayer, the most refined, tried and true balm of gilead we could ever have during our mortal life. To know that when I'm in my own Gethsemane my Savior has felt that for me and wants nothing more than to lift me up if I'm willing to be lifted. I love my life and I know that I'm on the path that I need to be on now, to my friends who wonder about my life, please know I'm closer to my Heavenly Father than I have been in a very long time, and finally feel like I'm follwing his will for me. I beg of those that call me friend to trust me and know that I would never make hasty decisions on matters of life and love, and if I had, many of you would probably be much happier with me. Forgive me for the things I do, I'm mortal and have made my mistakes and I'm trying to move on in the healthiest way I know how. This summer has been an intense time of prayer and repentance, and I have no regrets. Following God's will for you isn't notoriously easy, and I won't justify reasoning or purpose behind my decisions. I love and miss all the friends I have or am losing touch, or place with... I hope not to lose anyone I've had the great pleasure to know in the past couple of years. Relationships get dented, weak, or broken entirely over the course of life. I hope I can mend some of them along the way, Heaven willing, all of them.