Study Guide for "Do We Trust Him? Hard Is Good"

In his General Conference talk, Elder Stanley G. Ellis, an Emeritus Member of the Seventy, explores the profound question: "Do we trust Him?" He reflects on the challenges and hardships that are inherent in life and how they serve as opportunities for growth and faith. Elder Ellis emphasizes that trust in the Lord, especially during difficult times, is essential for spiritual development and ultimate happiness. He draws upon personal experiences, scriptural references, and teachings from Church leaders to illustrate that "hard is good" and is a crucial part of the gospel plan.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

How does Elder Ellis define trust in the context of our relationship with the Lord?
What personal experiences does Elder Ellis share to illustrate the concept that "hard is good"?
How do challenges and hardships contribute to our spiritual growth according to Elder Ellis?
What examples from scripture and Church history does Elder Ellis use to support his message?
What role does faith play in trusting the Lord during difficult times?

Topics

Trust in the Lord

Elder Ellis emphasizes the importance of trusting in the Lord with all our hearts, especially during challenging times. He questions whether we trust the Lord's commandments, His leaders, and His promises, even when facing trials.

The Lord trusts us in so many ways. He has given us the gospel of Jesus Christ and, in this dispensation, its fulness.

Do we trust His commandments to be for our good? His leaders, though imperfect, to lead us well? His promises to be sure?

What does it mean to trust in the Lord with all your heart?
Why is it important to trust the Lord's commandments and leaders?
How can trusting the Lord help us navigate through trials and challenges?
In what areas of your life do you need to increase your trust in the Lord?
How can you develop greater trust in the Lord's promises and His timing?
Reflect on a time when trusting the Lord helped you through a difficult situation. What did you learn from that experience?

Embrace Hardships as Growth Opportunities

Elder Ellis discusses how hardships and challenges strengthen us, humble us, and provide opportunities to prove ourselves. He uses examples from the scriptures and Church history to illustrate that "hard is good" and is an essential part of the gospel plan.

Hard makes us stronger, humbles us, and gives us a chance to prove ourselves.

The hard things in our lives should come as no surprise. One of the earliest covenants we make with the Lord is to live the law of sacrifice.

Why does Elder Ellis believe that "hard is good"?
How do hardships contribute to our spiritual growth?
What scriptural examples does Elder Ellis use to support his message?
How can you view your current challenges as opportunities for growth?
What sacrifices have you made that have strengthened your faith?
Reflect on a difficult experience that ultimately led to personal or spiritual growth. How did it change you?

The Gospel Plan and Hardships

Elder Ellis explains that hardships are a fundamental part of the gospel plan. He references scriptural accounts and teachings from Church leaders to show that enduring trials with faith leads to spiritual blessings and growth.

Hard is part of the gospel plan. One of the purposes of this life is for us to be proven.

President Thomas S. Monson has pleaded, "May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong."

What role do hardships play in the gospel plan?
How do trials and challenges help us to be proven?
What teachings from Church leaders does Elder Ellis reference to support his message?
How can you better accept and embrace hardships as part of the gospel plan?
What can you do to endure your trials well and with faith?
Reflect on how enduring a specific trial has brought you closer to the Lord. What did you learn?

Avoid the Temptation to Make Life Too Easy

Elder Ellis warns against the temptation to make life too easy for ourselves and others, as it can deprive us of growth opportunities. He shares examples of families who have chosen to embrace hard work and self-reliance.

The saddest thing for me was to hear some of them say that they wanted to make it easier for their children. They did not want their children to suffer as they had.

Regardless of the issue, hard can be good for those who will move forward with faith and trust the Lord and His plan.

Why does Elder Ellis caution against making life too easy?
How can making life too easy for others deprive them of growth opportunities?
What examples does Elder Ellis provide to illustrate the benefits of embracing hard work and self-reliance?
In what ways might you be making life too easy for yourself or others?
How can you encourage self-reliance and hard work in your family?
Reflect on a time when hard work led to significant personal growth. What did you learn from that experience?

Faith to Trust the Lord

Elder Ellis emphasizes that having faith is crucial to trusting the Lord. He discusses the importance of trusting the Lord's promises and commandments, even when it is difficult, and how faith can help us receive both temporal and spiritual blessings.

Do we have the faith to trust His promises regarding tithing that with 90 percent of our increase plus the Lord’s help, we are better off than with 100 percent on our own?

Will we exercise the faith necessary to keep His commandments so He can bless us both temporally and spiritually?

Why is faith essential to trusting the Lord?
How can faith help us trust the Lord's promises and commandments?
What are some of the blessings that come from exercising faith in difficult times?
How can you increase your faith to trust the Lord more fully?
What specific promises of the Lord do you need to trust more in your life?
Reflect on a time when your faith helped you trust the Lord during a challenging situation. What was the outcome?