Young Women Lesson
How Can WE Face Adversity with Faith?
Sept. 12, 2021
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Intro: Video Neil L Anderson talk WOUNDED
Watch first 3 minutes of talk.
On March 22, 2016, just before eight o’clock in the morning, two terrorist bombs exploded in the Brussels Airport. Elder Richard Norby, Elder Mason Wells, and Elder Joseph Empey had taken Sister Fanny Clain to the airport for a flight to her mission in Cleveland, Ohio. Thirty-two people lost their lives, and all of the missionaries were wounded. The most seriously wounded was Elder Richard Norby, age 66, serving with his wife, Sister Pam Norby.
Elder Norby reflected on that moment: “Instantly, I knew what had happened.
“I tried to run for safety, but I immediately fell down. … I could see that my left leg was badly injured. I [noticed] black, almost spiderweb-type, soot drooping from both hands. I gently pulled at it, but realized it was not soot but my skin that had been burned. My white shirt was turning red from an injury on my back. “As the consciousness of what had just happened filled my mind, I [had] this very strong thought: … the Savior knew where I was, what had just transpired, and [what] I was experiencing at that moment.”
There were difficult days ahead for Richard Norby and for his wife, Pam. He was placed in an induced coma, followed by surgeries, infections, and great uncertainty.Richard Norby lived, but his life would never be the same. Two and a half years later, his wounds are still healing; a brace replaces the missing part of his leg; each step is different than before that moment at the Brussels Airport.
Why would this happen to Richard and Pam Norby?2 They had been true to their covenants, served a previous mission in the Ivory Coast, and raised a wonderful family. Someone could understandably say, “It isn’t fair! It just isn’t right! They were giving their lives for the gospel of Jesus Christ; how could this happen?”
Although the details will differ, the tragedies, the unanticipated tests and trials, both physical and spiritual, come to each of us because this is mortality.
- Illustrate Scripture on the Board
Matthew 5:45 (Jesus Christ speaking - Sermon on the Mount)
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Illustrate this scripture on the board, sentence by sentence
Set it up to add the sand and rock for Primary song
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin spoke in General Conference. In his talk he says,
"You may feel singled out when adversity enters your life. You shake your head and wonder, “Why me?” But the dial on the wheel of sorrow eventually points to each of us. At one time or another, everyone must experience sorrow. No one is exempt.”
II. Don’t Compare - all challenges are hard
Miscarriage story TRACI:
Complaining to my friend Traci at work. Crying and on a pity party. I remembered that she had lost a little boy. I immediately felt dumb. My “storm” was so much smaller than hers. My friend taught me a very valuable lesson that day. She said,
“Every challenge is hard. Heavenly Father knows just what we need and what we can handle. He also knows what will refine us and change us for the better. So, even though our challenges are different, the heartache, the frustration, the fear, the anger, the sadness, are all felt the same.”
Pass Paper
Write down a challenge or a “storm” in your life that you have endured.
III. What are you Learning?
Miscarriage Story GLORIA:
During this time when I was devastated about this miscarriage, I was talking to my neighbor Gloria. She like Traci listened to me cry and complain. At the end of my pity party, she validated my feelings and then she asked me a question that I will never forget. She asked;
“What are you learning?”
I wasn’t ready to learn yet, but it got me on the right path.
Paper
Write down what you learned from that challenge?
IV. Personal Experiences
Personal Experiences:
I have asked a Delaney Dolphin and Kris Maxfield to share their personal experiences with trials and what they learned from them.
V. Scriptures Answers WHY
Ask: WHY do bad things happen to good people?
Using the scriptures, lets answers that question
Doctrine and Covenants 29:39
(Joseph Smith received this revelation just before a conference)
39 And it must needs be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not be agents unto themselves; for if they never should have bitter they could not know the sweet
2 Nephi 2:11
(Lehi is speaking to Jacob about free agency)
11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.
Doctrine and Covenants 122:7
(Joseph Smith receives this comfort while imprisoned in Liberty Jail)
7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; 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; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.
VII. Answer HOW do we endure these storms.
Doctrine & Covenants 121: 7-8
“My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; “And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.”
Using our primary song, answers the second question: HOW?
How do we “endure it well”? Strong foundation
Add Sand and Rock to Illustrate the scripture/primary song
But BOTH got the STORM!
1. Pray for strength
2. Repent to be worthy of the Comforter
(John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.)
3. Go to the Temple
4. Study your Scriptures
5. Have Faith
6. Serve others -
(President Hinckley: “Forget yourself and go to work.” )
7. Remember who you are
(Neil L Anderson: Look backward, remembering that you proved your worthiness in your premortal state. You are a valiant child of God, and with His help, you can triumph in the battles of this fallen world. You have done it before, and you can do it again.)
MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE LESSON!!!
8. Depend on your Savior - allow Him to CARRY you
Doctrine and Covenants 98:1 LET
1 Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks;
VIII. Personal Story: Losing my mom
My mom passed away over 13 years ago this year. She was 58 years old. I was 35. From the day she was diagnosed with Melanoma to the day she died was only 3 months. I can still remember those three months as if they happened yesterday.
I remember pleading my case with Heavenly Father and begging Him not to take her from us. I made all sorts of “deals” and promises. We fasted and prayed for a miracle.
I knew it was going to be hard, but I don’t think I realized how hard it was going to be. Somedays, I feel this trial will never end. Although its been 13 years, there are days I miss her so much its paralyzing.
A dear friend, Betsy Clayton gave me with a gift after my mom died. It is one I cherish. It is exactly what I needed. It has been a reminder to me many times since my mom's passing
Plaque:
Sometimes God calms the storms.
Sometimes he lets the storm rage and calms the child”
Conclusion:
Testify: Always depend on your Savior. Although he won't calm the storm, he WILL calm and comfort you. LET Him.
Put frames together with paper with trials on the back.
Velum paper over cute paper in frame.
