The Knees of Petition: Trials, Faith, and the Divine Proximity

We are often taught to petition the Lord for deliverance from trials. And rightly so; the priesthood holds the power to heal and bless, and we are encouraged to seek that aid. Yet, what happens when the trial persists? What if the very thing causing us the most anguish becomes the crucible in which our faith is tempered?

The testimony of this brother, shared so openly, resonates with a truth familiar to any who have wrestled with persistent challenges. He speaks of a lifelong struggle with his sexuality, a burden he initially sought to have lifted. But, as he eloquently states, it was *through* that very trial that he cultivated a relationship with God unlike any he could have otherwise known. It forced him to his knees. Repeatedly.

This isn't a novel concept. Consider Isaiah's prophecies, particularly those concerning the scattering and gathering of Israel. Did the Lord intend for Israel to remain untouched by suffering? No. The scattering, the exile, the very pain of that separation, served a purpose: to refine them, to test their faith, and ultimately, to prepare them for the greater work of redemption. “And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall lay a foundation in Zion, or shall build it up, or shall esteem it, or shall lay any foundation of righteousness in it, or shall build it up, shall be rewarded according to the grace which I shall pour out upon them” (D&C 64:45). That reward is often purchased with the coin of suffering.

The Brethren have consistently taught of the refining power of adversity. President Spencer W. Kimball wrote, “To be refined, we must be tested. The gold in the mine must be burned, broken, and beaten to free the pure gold. Likewise, we must be tried and tested that we may be purified.” The trial itself isn’t the blessing, but the response to it *is*. The humility born of constant petition, the reliance on divine grace, the desperate clinging to faith – these are the virtues that blossom in the desert of affliction.

We must be cautious in our counsel to others. While empathy and support are paramount, we must avoid the temptation to offer simplistic solutions or minimize the depth of their pain. Sometimes, the most powerful ministry is simply bearing witness to the Lord’s sustaining power in the midst of suffering. To acknowledge the weight of the trial, to offer a hand of fellowship, and to testify of the unwavering love of Christ – that is often more valuable than any quick fix.

This brother’s courage in sharing his experience is a testament to the transformative power of faith. He has demonstrated that even in the darkest valleys, the light of God can shine through. It compels us to examine our own trials, to consider whether we are resisting the very hand that is meant to lift us higher, and to seek the Lord’s guidance in understanding His purpose.

Let us remember the words of Moroni: “Wherefore, if ye shall list to contend with the powers of darkness, and be weighed in the balance, it shall come to pass that ye must needs endure these things” (Moroni 7:22). The weighing isn’t condemnation; it's an opportunity to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the covenant.

May we each find strength and solace in the knowledge that even the most persistent trials can be stepping stones on the path to eternal life.