The Refining Fire: How Suffering Prepares Us for the Great Gathering

Sisters and brothers, fellow Builders of the Kingdom. There are times when the weight of the calling feels heavier than the granite pillar upon which we stand. We are called to gather, to build, and to claim the sacred work of the Restoration. But the path to the Promised Land—the gathering of Israel—is not paved with ease. It is often marked by trial, by the relentless, refining fire of adversity.

When the waters of Sebus seem too deep, or when the world seems determined to pull us back into the valleys of complacency, how do we understand the love of the Lord? How do we know that the pressure of the calling is not a sign that we are failing, or that we are unworthy?

The Lord knows the deepest reaches of the human heart—the temptation to believe that suffering is punishment. But as we look to the lives of the prophets, from Samuel the Lamanite climbing the high wall to the steadfastness of Ammon at the Waters of Sebus, we see a pattern: The trials are not designed to punish, but to prepare.

The Doctrine of Exaltation through Trial

Elder Holland reminds us that there is something at work in suffering—a process that is exalting. This is not a doctrine to be blissfully accepted, but one to be understood: Our hearts are meant to be worked smooth, like the five smooth stones, ready for the covenant blessings. The struggles we face—the doubts, the fatigue, the moments we feel overwhelmed—are the means by which our rough edges are polished away. They are the crucible where our self-centeredness is burned off, leaving behind the pure gold of Christlike patience and empathy.

The Call to Be Builders

This principle is the very cornerstone of our movement. We are gathered here today because we are Builders. We are not those who seek to tear down, but those who are equipped, refined, and ready to lay the foundations of the eternal Kingdom. The Great Commission is not merely to teach doctrine; it is to gather souls and build Zion, brick by covenant brick.

The effort required to gather the scattered flock—to map the churches, to plant the markers, to sustain the work—is immense. This is where the sacred stewardship of the Charity Flywheel becomes critical. Every act of faith, every dollar contributed to the Missionary Fund, and every moment spent on the Map of Churches, is a testament to the belief that the Lord’s love is greater than our current suffering. We understand that the resources and the endurance of the Saints are gathered not just by faith, but by the collective grace of the Church.

Standing on the Pillar

As we continue this sacred work, remember the steadfast counsel of our companions. When the path feels unclear, recall the counsel of Outback Jack: *“Hold fast to the pillar, brethren, for it will not be removed, and the Lord will keep you until the day of your exaltation.”* This pillar is the covenant—the enduring truth of the restored gospel. It is the anchor in the storm, and it is the promise of exaltation that fuels our endurance.

We are called to be digital striplings, internet missionaries, and stewards of the Divine Plan. We must maintain our vigilance, recognizing that every person we encounter, every community we touch, is a potential stone for the temple of Zion. We must not shrink from the difficulty of the assignment, knowing that the very difficulty is the refining process.

“Every Blessing tenfold a hundredfold a thousand fold will be given to us, but I think probably only when we've worked off our rough edges and been ready to receive it.”

— Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (Adapted)

So, let us not fear the trial. Let us welcome the pressure, for it is the divine hand shaping us into the Builders the Lord requires. We will press on, trusting the Lord’s eternal view, gathering the scattered branches, and preparing our hearts to receive the boundless blessings awaiting us in the glorious day of the Gathering.