President Wilford Woodruff on finding happiness in times of affliction

President Wilford Woodruff  (born March 1, 1807—212 years ago today; died 1898) was called as an apostle in 1839 by Joseph Smith, and sustained as the 4th president of the Church in 1889.  He served until his death in 1898 at age 91.

"I have often thought that I never saw this people more happy than in their seasons of greatest poverty, drivings and afflictions, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. The Spirit of God has been with them, and in their humility and sufferings, the Holy Ghost, the Comforter has been their constant companion, and they have been filled with joy and consolation, and have rejoiced before the Lord for all these things. They would not have felt so if they had not been trying to keep the commandments of the Lord."

- Wilford Woodruff, Deseret News, February 22, 1865, 162; see Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff, chapter 21

It's one thing to be patient in affliction knowing that our trials "shall be but a small moment" (D&C 121:7). But can we also be happy in affliction? President Woodruff testifies that Church members were "never... more happy than in their seasons of greatest poverty, drivings and afflictions." And the reason that was possible? Because they were filled with God's word and with testimony, and were worthy to feel the sweetness of the Comforter in their lives.

Great blessings come when we are found "trying to keep the commandments of the Lord."

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)