The Purposes of Adversity

Apostle Orson F. Whitney (1855–1931) of the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles, explained: “No pain that we suffer, no
trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our educa-
tion, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith,
fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we
endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up
our characters, purifes our hearts, expands our souls, and
makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be
called the children of God . . . and it is through sorrow and
suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education
that we come here to acquire.”  

Quoted by Spencer W. Kimball in Faith Precedes the Miracle (1972), 98

Always a way

"I too believe that God will always make a way where there is no way. I believe that if we will walk in obedience to the commandments of God, if we will follow the counsel of the priesthood, he will open a way even where there appears to be no way."

--Gordon B. Hinckley, "If Ye Be Willing and Obedient", Ensign, Jul 1995, 2

Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world.

Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail.  This is the cradle of humanity, where life on this earth began in the Garden of Eden.  This is the place of the New Jerusalem.  This is the place that the Lord said is favored above all other nations in all the world.  This is the place where the Savior will come to His temple.  This is the favored land in all the world.  Yes, I repeat, men may fail, but this nation won't fail.  I have faith in America; you and I must have faith in America if we understand the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are living in a day when we must pay heed to these challenges.

I plead with you not to preach pessimism.  Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world.  This is the favored land.  This is the land of our forefathers.  It is the nation that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass through.

Ye Are the Light of the World: Selected Sermons and Writings of Harold B. Lee (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1974)

Finance

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.
- Benjamin Franklin

There are two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live.
- John Adams

We must make our election between economy and liberty or profusion and servitude.
- Thomas Jefferson

We cannot make events. Our business is wisely to improve them.
- Samuel Adams

That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly.
- Thomas Paine

Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation. It is better be alone than in bad company.
- George Washington

Commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive, and impolitic.
- James Madison

In the general course of human nature, A power over a man’s subsistence amounts to a power over his will.
- Alexander Hamilton

The greatest ability in business is to get along with others and to influence their actions.
- John Hancock

Old English Proverb

Fear knocked at the door,

Faith answered,

No one was there….

when God speaks and we obey, we will always be right

"Noah had the unwavering faith to follow God’s commandments. May we ever do likewise. May we remember that the wisdom of God ofttimes appears as foolishness to men; but the greatest lesson we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks and we obey, we will always be right."

--Thomas S. Monson, "They Marked the Path to Follow", Ensign, Oct 2007, 4–9