Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
I have often heard the phrase that ‘every rose has its thorn.’ Life can be compared to a sweet-smelling rose with its thorns. Paul teaches us that there is purpose in those thorns, and if we let the Lord, He will use them to make us all we can become. Paul also emphasizes caring for the poor in the Lord’s way. The world is complex and has some complicated issues, but there is simplicity in the Lord. As we study together this week, I hope we continue to find peace and joy in Christ.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “Down through history, poverty has been one of humankind’s greatest and most widespread challenges. Its obvious toll is usually physical, but the spiritual and emotional damage it can bring may be even more debilitating.” (“Are We Not All Beggars?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 40)
Note: The Church has been steadily increasing what it spends on those in need. It has been been at the 1 billion mark since 2020. "The Church has doubled its humanitarian donations over the past five years, spending almost $1 billion annually to care for the poor and the needy. The costs associated with running the Church are also increasing. The organization provides support for 30,000 congregations, educates 850,000 students in seminary and institute, and is engaged in aggressive temple construction — maintaining 167 temples with another 50 announced or under construction. And the cumulative expenditures of the Church’s universities is about $1.5 billion per year, said Bishop Caussé." (https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/2022-annual-report-caring-for-those-in-need#:~:text=The%20Church's%20new%202022%20annual,in%20190%20countries%20and%20territories)
Paul’s Principles for caring for the poor in the Savior’s way
President Russell M. Nelson: “Latter-day Saint Charities has provided more than two billion dollars in aid to assist those in need throughout the world. This assistance is offered to recipients regardless of their church affiliation, nationality, race, sexual orientation, gender, or political persuasion.
That is not all. To assist members of the Lord’s Church in distress, we love and live the ancient law of the fast [see Isaiah 58:3–12 ]. We go hungry to help others who are hungry. One day each month, we go without food and donate the cost of that food (and more) to help those in need.” (“The Second Great Commandment,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 97–98)
David O. McKay: “The greatest battle of life is fought out within the silent chambers of the soul.” (CR, April 1969, p.95)
Paul's antagonists in Corinth were ridiculing him. Though they conceded that his letters are "weighty and powerful," these same letters emphasize Paul's physical weaknesses and poor speaking ability. In 2 Corinthians 11:6, Paul is characterized as being "rude in speech"; in 12:7 and the following verses Paul laments and confesses his weaknesses.
All of us are given weaknesses. Moses protested, "I am not eloquent, . . . I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue" (Exodus 4:10) that is, I can't talk in front of people.
Enoch exclaimed, "I am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech" (Moses 6:31). I'm just a youth, and nobody likes me.
Gideon moaned, "My family is poor. . . and I am the least in my father's house" (Judges 6:15 ) I'm a nobody.
Saul grieved, "My family is the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin" (1 Samuel 9:21) I'm of low birth; I've been brought up in humble circumstances.
Jeremiah, like Moses, lamented, "I cannot speak: for I am a child" (Jeremiah 1:6) I'm not mature enough yet to handle this.
Even a modern prophet, Spencer W. Kimball, was worried about his personal weaknesses: "You can't do the work. You are not worthy. You have not the ability" (Conference Report, October 1943, 16).
“There are many more excuses: I'm not smart enough; I'm not spiritual enough; I'm not strong enough. Maybe the Lord is trying to teach us something with all these examples. It doesn't necessarily take great speaking ability, high birth, the wisdom of age, popularity, knowledge, or physical strength to fulfill a calling from the Lord. It does take faith and determination to make of ourselves more than we are. The Lord will make us all that we can become, if we let him, as Paul learned.” (D. Kelly Ogden and Andrew C. Skinner, New Testament Apostles Testify of Christ Salt Lake City; Deseret Book, 1998, 155-156)
President James E. Faust: “Much has been written about Paul's "thorn in the flesh." Numerous hypotheses have been advanced by way of identifying the "thorn," including stuttering, epilepsy, a shrewish wife, an eye affliction, malaria, some mortal antagonist, or some spiritual weakness. Whatever it was, he knew why it was there, "lest I should be exalted above measure." He had pleaded with the Lord to take it away, but he learned, as we all do, that the Lord intentionally gives each of us weaknesses to keep us humble. Weaknesses are meant not to humiliate but to humble. If we let them accomplish their appointed purpose, weaknesses will not weaken us but strengthen us.” (James E. Faust, To Reach Even unto You Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1980, 98.)
President Dallin H. Oaks: “The healing power of the Lord Jesus Christ—whether it removes our burdens or strengthens us to endure and live with them like the Apostle Paul—is available for every affliction in mortality.” (“He Heals the Heavy Laden,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 8)
Sister Reyna I. Aburto: “Your struggles do not define you, but they can refine you. Because of a “thorn in the flesh,” you may have the ability to feel more compassion toward others. (“Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 59)
Joseph Fielding McConkie: “In his dream Jacob saw a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. Above the ladder stood the Lord, who (and we must assume that Jacob ascended the ladder) covenanted with Jacob, as he had with Abraham and Isaac, to bless him and his posterity throughout all generations. He was told, as had been his fathers, that through his seed all the families of the earth would be blessed. Joseph Smith tells us that the "three principal rounds of Jacob's ladder" were the same ascended by Paul (2 Corinthians 12:2) and that they represented progression from telestial to terrestrial, and from terrestrial to celestial degrees of glory.” (Smith, Joseph. History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1927 (published by the Church). 5:402). (Gospel Symbolism Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1999, 123.)
Elder M. Russell Ballard: “Let’s not complicate things with additional meetings, expectations, or requirements. Keep it simple. It is in that simplicity that you will find the peace, joy, and happiness I have been talking about.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/04/23ballard)
Teaching Thoughts:
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “Down through history, poverty has been one of humankind’s greatest and most widespread challenges. Its obvious toll is usually physical, but the spiritual and emotional damage it can bring may be even more debilitating.” (“Are We Not All Beggars?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 40)
Note: The Church has been steadily increasing what it spends on those in need. It has been been at the 1 billion mark since 2020. "The Church has doubled its humanitarian donations over the past five years, spending almost $1 billion annually to care for the poor and the needy. The costs associated with running the Church are also increasing. The organization provides support for 30,000 congregations, educates 850,000 students in seminary and institute, and is engaged in aggressive temple construction — maintaining 167 temples with another 50 announced or under construction. And the cumulative expenditures of the Church’s universities is about $1.5 billion per year, said Bishop Caussé." (https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/2022-annual-report-caring-for-those-in-need#:~:text=The%20Church's%20new%202022%20annual,in%20190%20countries%20and%20territories)
Paul’s Principles for caring for the poor in the Savior’s way
- Desire to give (2 Corinthians 8:12; Mosiah 4:24)
- How much to give (2 Corinthians 9:6; Alma 1:30)
- Attitude in giving (2 Corinthians 9:7; Moroni 7:6–8)
- Gratitude to God (2 Corinthians 9:11–15; Mosiah 4:19–21)
President Russell M. Nelson: “Latter-day Saint Charities has provided more than two billion dollars in aid to assist those in need throughout the world. This assistance is offered to recipients regardless of their church affiliation, nationality, race, sexual orientation, gender, or political persuasion.
That is not all. To assist members of the Lord’s Church in distress, we love and live the ancient law of the fast [see Isaiah 58:3–12 ]. We go hungry to help others who are hungry. One day each month, we go without food and donate the cost of that food (and more) to help those in need.” (“The Second Great Commandment,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 97–98)
David O. McKay: “The greatest battle of life is fought out within the silent chambers of the soul.” (CR, April 1969, p.95)
Paul's antagonists in Corinth were ridiculing him. Though they conceded that his letters are "weighty and powerful," these same letters emphasize Paul's physical weaknesses and poor speaking ability. In 2 Corinthians 11:6, Paul is characterized as being "rude in speech"; in 12:7 and the following verses Paul laments and confesses his weaknesses.
All of us are given weaknesses. Moses protested, "I am not eloquent, . . . I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue" (Exodus 4:10) that is, I can't talk in front of people.
Enoch exclaimed, "I am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech" (Moses 6:31). I'm just a youth, and nobody likes me.
Gideon moaned, "My family is poor. . . and I am the least in my father's house" (Judges 6:15 ) I'm a nobody.
Saul grieved, "My family is the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin" (1 Samuel 9:21) I'm of low birth; I've been brought up in humble circumstances.
Jeremiah, like Moses, lamented, "I cannot speak: for I am a child" (Jeremiah 1:6) I'm not mature enough yet to handle this.
Even a modern prophet, Spencer W. Kimball, was worried about his personal weaknesses: "You can't do the work. You are not worthy. You have not the ability" (Conference Report, October 1943, 16).
“There are many more excuses: I'm not smart enough; I'm not spiritual enough; I'm not strong enough. Maybe the Lord is trying to teach us something with all these examples. It doesn't necessarily take great speaking ability, high birth, the wisdom of age, popularity, knowledge, or physical strength to fulfill a calling from the Lord. It does take faith and determination to make of ourselves more than we are. The Lord will make us all that we can become, if we let him, as Paul learned.” (D. Kelly Ogden and Andrew C. Skinner, New Testament Apostles Testify of Christ Salt Lake City; Deseret Book, 1998, 155-156)
President James E. Faust: “Much has been written about Paul's "thorn in the flesh." Numerous hypotheses have been advanced by way of identifying the "thorn," including stuttering, epilepsy, a shrewish wife, an eye affliction, malaria, some mortal antagonist, or some spiritual weakness. Whatever it was, he knew why it was there, "lest I should be exalted above measure." He had pleaded with the Lord to take it away, but he learned, as we all do, that the Lord intentionally gives each of us weaknesses to keep us humble. Weaknesses are meant not to humiliate but to humble. If we let them accomplish their appointed purpose, weaknesses will not weaken us but strengthen us.” (James E. Faust, To Reach Even unto You Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1980, 98.)
President Dallin H. Oaks: “The healing power of the Lord Jesus Christ—whether it removes our burdens or strengthens us to endure and live with them like the Apostle Paul—is available for every affliction in mortality.” (“He Heals the Heavy Laden,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 8)
Sister Reyna I. Aburto: “Your struggles do not define you, but they can refine you. Because of a “thorn in the flesh,” you may have the ability to feel more compassion toward others. (“Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 59)
Joseph Fielding McConkie: “In his dream Jacob saw a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. Above the ladder stood the Lord, who (and we must assume that Jacob ascended the ladder) covenanted with Jacob, as he had with Abraham and Isaac, to bless him and his posterity throughout all generations. He was told, as had been his fathers, that through his seed all the families of the earth would be blessed. Joseph Smith tells us that the "three principal rounds of Jacob's ladder" were the same ascended by Paul (2 Corinthians 12:2) and that they represented progression from telestial to terrestrial, and from terrestrial to celestial degrees of glory.” (Smith, Joseph. History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1927 (published by the Church). 5:402). (Gospel Symbolism Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1999, 123.)
Elder M. Russell Ballard: “Let’s not complicate things with additional meetings, expectations, or requirements. Keep it simple. It is in that simplicity that you will find the peace, joy, and happiness I have been talking about.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/04/23ballard)
Teaching Thoughts:
- Object lesson: A rose with thrones.
- What do you think is the purpose of the thorns on a rose bush?
- How could this relate to your trials?
- What did we study this week that can help you with the thorns in your life?
- Application: How can we as a family care for the poor in the Lord’s way? Can teenagers contribute to fast offerings?
- The Lord will make us all that we can become if we let him.