There is one verse in the Doctrine and Covenants I have turned to for years: verse 3 in section 58. It says:
“Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.”
Revelations in Context teaches us that section 58 conveys “the breadth of [the] vision” of Zion. It describes a place where all people could dwell in peace.
What I really love about verse 3 is how the Lord acknowledges we cannot “behold” that peaceful, hopeful future on our own. The trials of today often totally cloud our vision, and pressing forward when there is no end in sight or defined destination can be very difficult.
But we don’t have to endure our challenges blindly—our loving Lord can open our spiritual eyes to help us “embrace the future with faith.”
In this verse, He teaches us that there is so much more going on than what we can see. Our lives are not a random sequence of events; we are part of God’s design. And while that design will include tribulation, the Lord also promises later in section 58 verse 4 that “after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.”
How merciful—the Lord not only has a plan for all of us, but He also gently reminds us how grand the plan is! Our challenges are temporary, and we can trust that He will give us the vision we need to overcome adversity. It makes me think of something President Jeffrey R. Holland once said:
“Every one of us has times when we need to know things will get better. My declaration is that that is precisely what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers us, especially in times of need.”
The Doctrine and Covenants is full of examples of the Lord bestowing loving reminders to people in need:
- While Joseph was in Liberty Jail, the Lord said, “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.”
- The Lord reminded Oliver Cowdrey of a past moment when he felt peace: “Cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter?”
- And to Emma Smith, the Lord said, “Keep my commandments continually, and a crown of righteousness thou shalt receive.”
So, if you find yourself in a time where you need to know things will get better, try turning to the Doctrine and Covenants. It’s brimming with assurances of the Lord’s plan for your future—which is more glorious than you can even imagine.
▶ The soothing one-liner from Psalms you may need right now
▶ How to find the answer to any life question in the scriptures
▶ 7 Book of Mormon verses that have changed my perspective on body image
