Have you ever felt that you have partaken of a bitter sweetness? Something that is sweet because of what it means, but bitter to witness or experience?
I am having one of those moments today. There is the calmness that comes from answered prayers and from feeling all that more prepared. Then there is the bitter of what I see all around me, the suffering, and the struggle.
We are perfected by our obedience during suffering. As we face those trials and tribulations that will come to us, we can be perfected through obedience.
Where much is given, much is required, and all of us have been given many great and wonderful things. We each have been given gifts, abilities and talents from God. We have been given the scriptures, priesthood, prophets, and leaders. We have been given so much! We have been given of the fulness. These things that we have been given will help guide and direct us in "this darkest of hours" as President Hinckley puts it. In this dark hour I can be filled with joy, because after the darkest night comes the brightest day.
I am thankful for friends like you, for all over the world, that have come together, that are like minded. It is because of you I was able to see so much more and prepare so much more. I will be forever grateful to you all for what you have already given, and I feel that we will all give so much more. Sometimes I think that we have no idea how much we really have to offer each other, and what we have created here.
I look forward to the day when we will get to greet each other face to face.
Charity
