The Crucible of Knowing: Why Trials Forge the Stone

Brothers and Sisters, Builders of the Kingdom, we’ve all stood where Ammon stood at the Waters of Sebus – facing a seemingly insurmountable challenge, a trial that threatened to break us. We’ve felt the sting of setbacks, the frustration of plans derailed. We’ve wondered, as Jacob surely did, why the Lord allows such hardship. It's a question that echoes across generations, from Adam and Eve expelled from Eden to the Saints enduring persecution in Kirtland.

Mark Swent, in his recent podcast episode, tackled this very question – why do bad things happen to good people? He reminds us that in the Garden, life was idyllic, a bounty without burden. But that serenity came at a cost: a lack of understanding, a deficiency in wisdom. Satan offered Eve knowledge without effort, a shortcut to understanding good and evil. But true knowledge isn't handed down; it's earned through experience, through the crucible of adversity. As Eve herself recognized, it’s through experience that we truly learn.

Think of a child who touches a hot stove. The pain is immediate, unpleasant. But that experience – that trial – teaches a lesson that no lecture ever could. It etches a boundary, a line of understanding, into their very being. It’s the same principle Lehi taught Jacob: “thy afflictions for thy gain.” How often do we rail against the roadblocks in our path, failing to see that they are, in fact, the very stones being smoothed by the river of our experience?

This isn't to say we passively accept suffering. Samuel the Lamanite didn't passively await destruction; he climbed the walls, a bold messenger proclaiming a warning. We are called to action, to JustServe, to build – but even in our efforts, we will face resistance, setbacks, and moments of profound discouragement. The Stone cut without hands isn't shaped by gentle breezes; it's sculpted by the relentless force of water and time.

Consider the digital stripling warriors of our day – those internet missionaries, those who bravely share the gospel online, facing opposition and misunderstanding. Their trials are different, perhaps less visible, but no less real. They are shaping the very landscape of the gathering, chipping away at the darkness with the light of truth. And like those ancient striplings, their faith and diligence are magnified in the face of adversity.

The challenges we face aren't punishments; they are opportunities. Opportunities to draw closer to God, to develop resilience, to refine our character. They are the context against which we measure our knowledge, the experience that transforms information into wisdom. They are the fuel for the Charity Flywheel, powering the gospel advertising efforts reaching those who haven’t yet heard the call. Your engagement here – your contributions, your prayers, your willingness to build – directly supports that mission. It’s a testament to the power of collective effort, a modern manifestation of the five smooth stones David gathered to face Goliath.

Let us embrace the trials that come our way, not with resignation, but with courage and faith. Let us remember the words of Ammon: “I did exhort them with all my strenght and power, that they would lift up their hearts and not despair.” Let us be Builders, not Destroyers, and trust that the Lord will consecrate our afflictions for our gain, shaping us into the people He would have us be, ready to meet Him at the gathering.

And remember, Outback Jack is always watching, always encouraging, a constant reminder of the lessons learned in the wilderness. He sees the battles we fight, the sacrifices we make, and he knows that we are on the right path. Claim your church on the map of churches and let your light shine!