Life’s hardest moments can make even the strongest hearts whisper Joseph’s ancient plea: “O God, where art Thou?” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:1). Yet through Joseph’s trials in Liberty Jail, the Lord revealed truths that reach into our own modern struggles — reminding us that adversity, though painful, can become sacred ground when endured with faith. Each question, object lesson, and reflection that follows is designed to help you see how God works in the waiting — refining, empowering, and preparing us to become more like Him. Whether you’re facing uncertainty, leadership challenges, or moments of deep sorrow, these insights from Doctrine and Covenants 121–123 invite us to look upward, trust His timing, and let even our hardest chapters “be for [our] good.”
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With God, adversity can “be for [my] good.” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–10, 23–33; 122)
10 Engaging Questions
- Why do you think Joseph cried out, “O God, where art Thou?”
- How can we remain faithful when answers don’t come immediately?
- What does the Lord promise in verses 7–10 that can strengthen us?
- How is “enduring well” different from just enduring?
- How does the Lord’s timing bless us, even when it feels delayed?
- How can trials prepare us for greater responsibilities in God’s kingdom?
- Which promises in verses 26–33 give you the most hope?
- Why is adversity often the context for receiving revelation?
- How can we better support others who feel forgotten in their trials?
- How do these verses point us to Christ as our ultimate source of peace?
5 Object Lessons
- Polished Rock – Rough tumbling creates beauty, just as trials refine us.
- Broken Bone Healed Stronger – Adversity can strengthen us in lasting ways.
- Weightlifting – Muscles grow through resistance, like faith through trials.
- Dark Room with Candle – Even in darkness, light (hope) changes everything.
- Kite in the Wind – Resistance lifts us higher, not lower.
10 Personal Sharing Prompts
- Share a time you asked, “Where is God?” and later saw His hand.
- Reflect on an experience where a trial prepared you for future service.
- Share a scripture that comforted you in adversity.
- Tell about someone who inspired you by enduring well.
- Share how prayer carried you through a difficult season.
- Reflect on how you’ve seen blessings come after patient endurance.
- Share how Christ has lifted you during grief or trial.
- Tell about a time God’s timing proved wiser than your own.
- Share what “be for thy good” has meant in your life.
- Reflect on how trials have deepened your testimony of Christ.
True power and influence are based on “the principles of righteousness.” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–46)
10 Engaging Questions
- How does God’s power differ from worldly power?
- Why are control and compulsion ineffective spiritually?
- How does persuasion, love, and gentleness change hearts?
- How does humility increase spiritual influence?
- Why do you think God trusts His power only to the righteous?
- What does verse 36 teach us about the connection between heaven and earth?
- How can we use unrighteous dominion in subtle ways without realizing it?
- What do verses 41–46 teach us about leadership in the home and Church?
- Why is love “without hypocrisy” essential for true influence?
- How does having the Holy Ghost as a constant companion change influence?
5 Object Lessons
- Magnet vs. Glue – Magnets attract naturally, glue forces; influence should be like magnets.
- Two Plants (one watered with poison, one with clean water) – Leadership by love nourishes growth; unrighteous dominion poisons.
- Oil Lamp – Power comes when filled with oil (righteousness), not forced.
- Feather in Breeze – Gentle influence moves without force.
- Sunshine vs. Flashlight – True influence shines naturally, not with batteries that fade.
10 Personal Sharing Prompts
- Share a time you felt the Spirit’s influence more than human authority.
- Tell about a leader who guided you with love and patience.
- Reflect on how you’ve tried to influence your family with kindness.
- Share a time when unrighteous dominion caused harm and what you learned.
- Reflect on how meekness has increased your influence.
- Share how prayer has helped you use influence righteously.
- Tell about an example of leadership that mirrored Christ’s example.
- Share how you’ve seen charity transform relationships.
- Reflect on how patience helped you lead more effectively.
- Tell about a time when God’s influence reached you powerfully through others.
Jesus Christ has descended below all things so that He can lift me up. (Doctrine and Covenants 122:8)
10 Engaging Questions
- What does it mean that Christ “descended below all things”?
- How does His descent make Him the perfect Comforter?
- Why was it necessary for Christ to experience all human suffering?
- How does this truth help us trust Him more fully?
- How does Alma 7:11–13 expand this teaching?
- How does Christ’s suffering relate to your own personal struggles?
- What does it mean to be “lifted up” by Him?
- How can gratitude for His sacrifice change our outlook on trials?
- Why does knowing Christ descended so low make His mercy so profound?
- How do we show Him we accept His lift?
5 Object Lessons
- Diver into Deep Water – Christ went to the lowest depths to rescue us.
- Rescue Rope – A rescuer must descend to pull someone out of a pit.
- Stairs Down, Then Up – To lift us, He first walked below us.
- Anchor in the Deep – Christ’s depth secures our safety.
- Bridge Across a Chasm – He descended to connect heaven and earth.
10 Personal Sharing Prompts
- Share how knowing Christ suffered all helps you feel understood.
- Reflect on a time Christ lifted you during deep sorrow.
- Share how Christ’s condescension strengthens your faith.
- Tell about an experience where you felt Christ’s empathy.
- Reflect on why gratitude for Christ changes your prayers.
- Share how the sacrament reminds you of His descent.
- Tell how Christ’s suffering gives you courage to endure.
- Share how His atonement gives you daily strength.
- Reflect on how you’ve taught children or others this truth.
- Share how remembering His descent changes your view of trials.
“Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power.” (Doctrine and Covenants 123)
10 Engaging Questions
- Why do you think Joseph emphasized being cheerful in adversity?
- What does it mean to do “all things that lie in our power”?
- How does cheerfulness show faith in God’s deliverance?
- Why are “small things” important in God’s work?
- How do small acts of faith lead to big miracles?
- What can we do when we face problems too large to solve?
- How does gathering knowledge and truth empower us?
- Why is cheerfulness a Christlike response to opposition?
- How do these verses strengthen your hope during trials?
- How does acting cheerfully affect those around us?
5 Object Lessons
- Pebbles in a Jar – Small things eventually fill the whole.
- Puzzle Piece – Small contributions are vital to the big picture.
- Smile vs. Frown Poster – Cheerfulness lifts others in hard times.
- Bucket of Water with Drops – Each small drop matters.
- Flashlight in Dark – Even small light makes a big difference.
10 Personal Sharing Prompts
- Share a time you chose cheerfulness despite challenges.
- Tell about a “small thing” you did that made a big difference.
- Reflect on how cheerfulness has blessed your family during trials.
- Share an experience where God magnified your small efforts.
- Tell about a time cheerfulness strengthened your testimony.
- Reflect on how Joseph’s cheerfulness inspires you.
- Share how you’ve seen others lift burdens cheerfully.
- Tell about how serving in small ways increased your joy.
- Reflect on how choosing cheerfulness changed a hard day.
- Share how doing “all in your power” has helped you trust God more.
