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In the last few weeks, I have had no shortage of diculty. In fact, it

seems as if all the diculties have only begun to coincide, leading a

crescendo to this moment. There have been several new diculties which

have arisen, however, the same diculties presented in the past are only

intensifying, requiring more of my attention and eort than before. Despite

this, Ive noticed several changes in my own conduct and choices.

!irstly, I have changed the way I view diculty. "ften, our diculties

arent things that need to be solved or #$ed, but rather things by or through

which we must pass. This means that instead of putting forth eort to #$

things, we need to focus on enduring things. %iven enough time, any

problem will pass. Ive come to accept this in my life and allow time to

&work' on my diculties, accepting things which come, despite the

discomfort accompanying it.

(econd, I have changed the way I view my diculties. )y diculties

are time*consuming, frustrating, and tiring obstacles. +owever, they do notdominate my life. Instead, they are moments which help enhance the better

e$periences. There is good in each day, and by recogniing the bad in each

day and allowing it to e$ist, Ive been able to more readily recognie and

accept the good. !or me, it is much like how salt enhances the sweetness of

chocolate. "nly together with diculty does good taste so sweet.

-astly, Ive come to accept the -ords will in my diculties. Ive

accepted that the -ord wants us to pass by obstacles, if only to become

stronger through our e$periences. +e knows /ust as well as we do the

pain associated with this life. +owever, +e knows as we dont the /oy

associated with the ne$t. If we trust in +is will and accept that which comes

dealing with our diculties but not despairing +e will lead us to that which

we desire.

0y adopting these viewpoints, Ive learned that even though our

circumstances may not change, our reactions and conduct will. In the end,

how we act will change. I feel more sympathy for those around me, mostly

because I know how dicult life is. This leads me to be more charitable to

those around me. I feel more love for the %ospel and truth, leading me to

share what I know more often. 1s I develop these characteristics and allow

my newfound conduct to deepen and develop, my other feelings deepen anddevelop as well. This means that the bene#ts are cyclical in nature, and only

further develop as time goes on.

1s mentioned before, my a2ictions do not stop nor weaken, but they

do propel me towards that which I desire. I think of it as the 3aredites

 /ourney to the promised land. It says in 4ther that &the -ord5 caused that

there should be a furious wind' which would propel them. This strong wind

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was what created the strong waves which would turn them around and

around, burying them in the sea. The conditions associated with such motion

could not have been comfortable, especially considering that there was little

fresh air, no windows, and animals on board. +owever, they sang praises,

knowing that the diculties they had were evidence that they were moving

more quickly to their destination. "ur diculties are the same they areevidence that the -ord cares for us and wishes to move us more quickly to

our destination.