As individuals and families in a fallen world, we will have many crises that we will need to overcome in order to qualify for eternal life with our Father in Heaven. Having an understanding that our trials are for our good and that they will give us the experience we need, is a perspective that we must all develop. [ii]

What exactly is a crucible? “A crucible is a furnace-like vessel that endures intense heat that refines and transfigures raw materials into a new stronger substance.” [iii] Therefore, having a crucible perspective means that we see our trials as an opportunity for us to become stronger as an individual and as a family. This crisis to crucible outlook will give us strength as we look to our Savior’s example and turn to our Father in Heaven for help.

While in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Savior took upon Himself the sins of the world. The pain of our sins caused Him to suffer so tremendously, that He bled from every pore. He was in so much agony that He cried out to our Father in Heaven for help. He wanted this mental, spiritual, and physical anguish to be removed, yet He submitted His will to the Father because He understood the blessings that would result. If you recall, an angel visited Him after His prayer to strengthen Him. [iv]

What can we learn from His experience? First, He cried to His Father. Our thoughts should turn to God when we are suffering through trials. The Savior’s experience shows us that God will answer our prayers and strengthen us. Notice, God did not take away the Savior’s experience of atoning for our sins. Rather, He answered His prayer by strengthening and comforting Him through the presence of an angel. Although our strength and comfort may come in different ways, our Father will not abandon us in our hour of need.

Second, He submitted His will to the Father. God knows what is best for us and what will help us return to Him. We all have weaknesses that we must overcome. We all need to learn valuable lessons in order to become like Him. When we submit our will to God, we are telling Him that we trust Him. We can trust that His paths [v] and His ways [vi] are better than our own.

Third, the Savior understood how important His atonement was. He promised us all before we came to earth that He would atone for our sins. He also knew that through His atonement, He would have the power to redeem us. He was willing to suffer so that we might live and return to God. We too can have an understanding that our suffering will make us stronger and will lead us closer to returning to our Father. Through our prayers and our willingness to follow God’s plan for us, He enlightens us. This doesn’t mean we will understand all of the reasons why we have trials, but He won’t leave us without some kind of insight into our hardships.

Like all of our Father’s children, I have suffered trials and hardships throughout my life. I am grateful for a loving Father who has not left me stranded and alone, but has been with me when I have needed His help. My trials have changed me. Through the crucible experiences that I’ve had, I am stronger, more refined, and more like our Father and our Redeemer. 

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[i] Hawkins, Alan J., et al. Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives. Brigham Young University, 2016.

[ii] Doctrine and Covenants 122:7

[iii] Robinson, W. David, et al. “Crucibles and Healing: Illness, Death, Loss, and Bereavement.” Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives, Brigham Young University, 2016, pp. 237–248.

[iv] Luke 22:42-44

[v] Proverbs 3:5-6

[vi] Isaiah 55:8