I just realized that I passed right over October 1978’s conference when it was ratified that all worthy men can receive the priesthood—and I apologize. This was a big moment in our history and it was displayed beautifully this past week in the Be One celebration at the Conference Center. If you missed it, you really must watch it here.

Howard W. Hunter, in the April 1980, Sunday afternoon session, said that “God Will Have a Tried People,” and God isn’t kidding about that.

We often forget that trials are one of the primary reasons we came down to earth. We cheered when we were given the opportunity to prove ourselves worthy by overcoming the world and becoming gods. I bet we all thought it was going to be a lot easier than it has turned out.

In his talk, Elder Hunter says, “Resistance creates both the opposition and the forward movement.” We keep trying to go around hard things, avoiding them and taking the “easy” way, but the truth is we can only go through, cutting into the pain, demanding that it yield to our power and might to come out the other side.

This word, resistance, makes me think of the words to “Glory,” from the movie Selma.  

Hands to the Heavens, no man, no weapon

Formed against, yes glory is destined

Every day women and men become legends

Sins that go against our skin become blessings

The movement is a rhythm to us

Freedom is like religion to us

Justice is juxtapositionin’ us

Justice for all just ain’t specific enough

One son died, his spirit is revisitin’ us

True and livin’ livin’ in us, resistance is us

That’s why Rosa sat on the bus

That’s why we walk through Ferguson with our hands up

When it go down we woman and man up

They say, “Stay down”, and we stand up

Shots, we on the ground, the camera panned up

King pointed to the mountaintop and we ran up.

(written by Common and John Legend)

Rap music is interesting. It is a resistant type of music, in itself born of pain. The words here tell a story of perseverance. A downtrodden people who rise up in spite of opposition. They become the resistance.

The key here though is to not become spiteful but to become joyful in the success of that resistance. The Be One celebration was joyful. Not being able to have all the blessings of the priesthood for a period of time made them even more joyous when they received it.

We all need to capitalize on our success at overcoming whatever we are called to face and glory at the moment we receive the blessings, not continue wallowing in anger at the time of the struggle.

That’s what we signed up for! To struggle! And so, I share what I call my “Bring it On!” scripture:

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Wallowing never does anyone any good. The purpose of hardship is to make us into gods. Elder Hunter said, “When resistance and opposition are greatest, our faith, commitment, and growth have the greatest opportunity for advancement; when opposition is least, the tendency is to be complacent and lose faith.”

What I saw during Be One was a people who had come out of the fire, whole and glorious. There wasn’t an ounce of remorse from any of them. It was only recognizing the glory of God at coming through it. It made me want to shout, Hallelujah! That I too can come out of my struggles without those feelings of regret and contempt. Only praise and glory to my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Another General Conference Odyssey post:

Always Accessible to Those Who Seek Him  Marilyn Nielson