There will be times when you may become discouraged while striving to obtain your education. When those times come, please remember that what you are doing is praiseworthy. You are seeking to improve yourselves as well as the kingdom of God.
I pray that we will all be a little more fair in our measurements of ourselves and a little more patient in our measurements of others. As we hone our measurement skills, we will be more like our Savior, and we will be more effective instruments in His hands.
The realities of living in our limited, imperfect world mean that we have no choice but to make do with an approximation—to admit and accept imperfection.
We should think of our conflicts as mirrors that reflect back upon us things about ourselves we would rather not know. As we learn in Ether 12:27, it is a gift from heaven to be shown our weakness. If we will reflect upon our weakness, as the Prophet Joseph did upon his, the Lord will make us strong where we are weak.
We must be aware that not only our weaknesses, but also our strengths, in excess, become our downfall. Humility is the key to preventing such corruption.
The “germ” of discouragement...is in Satan, the Prince of Darkness, the Father of Lies. And he would have it be in us. It’s frequently a small germ, but it will work and it will grow and it will spread. In fact it can become almost a habit, a way of living and thinking, and there the greatest damage is done.
You have immense worth, and the Lord is laying up a marvelous treasure for you. Have patience, and you may find acres of diamonds right in your front yard.
