Have We Not Reason to Rejoice?

"Enduring to the end, or remaining faithful to the laws and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout our life, is a fundamental requirement for salvation in the kingdom of God...Therefore, enduring to the end is not just a matter of passively tolerating life’s difficult circumstances or “hanging in there.” Ours is an active religion, helping God’s children along the strait and narrow path to develop their full potential during this life and return to Him one day... Enduring to the end is a process filling every minute of our life, every hour, every day, from sunrise to sunrise. It is accomplished through personal discipline following the commandments of God."

--Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Have We Not Reason to Rejoice?", Ensign, Nov 2007, 18–21

D&C 14:7

Does the Journey Seem Long, Hymn #127

Building Character and Increasing Compassion

A friend who is on my group On Wings of Faith posted a thought:

Building Character and Increasing Compassion

"Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others."

Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Come What May, and Love It", Ensign, Nov. 2008, 27

My response? I think I need to read this over and over again every day - when reading it, it uplifts me - at the same time, I choose to laugh instead of cry because I feel like crying sometimes with all that is going on. Although, if I laugh too much, people may think I need to be sent to the lunatic farm.