These missionaries had success with the poor class of the people, whom Alma taught that faith can grow like a seed. In this story, we see the important role played by a priesthood leader and by the Holy Ghost. Again, we see the importance of prayer and faith.

Helaman’s Army [Alma chapter 58]

The army of Helaman, including the 2000 stripling warriors, were badly outnumbered by the Lamanites. They waited for more assistance from Zarahemla, but little help came. Food was in short supply. Finally, they poured out their souls to God. We read in Alma 58:11:

Helaman’s men took courage and with their small force took went on the offensive and prevailed, driving the Lamanites out of the land. Sometimes when we face opposition, we need to go on the offensive too.

Warren Johnson Holding Fast to the Iron Rod [November 2004 Ensign]

In the October 2004 General Conference, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin told the story of a man, Warren Johnson, who, back in the 1890s, was assigned by the Church with his family to operate a ferry in a remote location in the desert of northern Arizona. Visitors brought diphtheria to their home. Within a short time, four of his children died despite prayer and fasting.

The bereaved father was distraught, yet he expressed his resolve to “hold fast to the iron rod no matter what troubles” came upon him. This man gives a key to dealing with opposition. The iron rod is the word of God — meaning the scriptures; the words of the living prophet, apostles, and other church leaders; and personal revelation from the Holy Ghost. To overcome opposition, those are the things to which we must hold fast.

Donna’s Hard Life [May 2004 Ensign, page 99]

At the April 2004 General Conference, Elder Bruce Hafen told a story about a friend who faced considerable adversity during her life:

Sometimes, the best we can do is just hang on to the iron rod for dear life. The Lord accepts our offering of “all we can do” and makes up the difference. His grace is sufficient.

Tongan Missionary Miracle [The Fire of Faith, by John Groberg, pp. 165-170]

Elder John Groberg of the Seventy served as a missionary and a mission president in Tonga. Many of you have seen the movie The Other Side of Heaven, which was based on a book he wrote of his experiences as a young missionary. He experienced much adversity but endured it all and pressed forward, and had much success.

He wrote a second book called The Fire of Faith about his experiences as a mission president. He told a story of a young missionary, Elder Vai, a native Tongan, who had four months left on his mission. He was the only member of the Church in his family. His father was a preacher in another church and was very upset that his son had joined the Church and even more upset when he chose to go on a mission.

Now at the end of Elder Vai’s mission, President Groberg began to receive strong impressions that he needed to send Elder Vai to serve in his hometown. Following the Spirit instead of logic and reason, he transferred Elder Vai to his home village — to the shock of all the missionaries. Elder Vai’s father learned of the transfer and stood up in his church and charged all the people to not allow the missionaries into their homes and assured them that they would soon give up and leave the village. Every Sunday he denounced the missionaries.

After four weeks, Elder Vai and his companion had worked diligently but had not taught a single discussion in the village. President Groberg met with the missionaries and suggested that they pray together and said “whatever you feel is what we will do.” After the prayer, Elder Vai quietly said “I’m going back to my area.”

That same day, a Sunday, Elder Vai’s father did not say a word about his son at his church. On Monday morning, Elder Vai and his companion were again on the streets of village. They saw a man waving them to come to his house. To their surprise, it was Elder Vai’s father. He wanted to know what gave his son the determination to keep coming back despite all the rejection.

Elder Vai testified to his father that he was on the side of truth and that truth would prevail. More discussions followed. Within a short time, Elder Vai’s father and mother and some other family members were ready for baptism. The father chose to walk the entire length of the village from his home to the beach in his white baptismal clothes. Elder Vai finished his mission in his hometown and before he left saw a total of 40 persons baptized.

Desire to Smoke [March 1996 Ensign, “I Tried to Quit Dozens of Times,” page 65]

In the March 1996 Ensign, Shirley R. Warren told a story of how she had stopped attending church as a young woman and acquired a smoking habit. She married and had eight children, and sent them to church without her, but finally felt a desire to become fully active herself. Her smoking habit stood in the way. She had tried to quit smoking dozen of times but always failed.
She described what happened:

Prayer in the Parking Lot [“A Prayer in the Parking Lot,” Ensign, Aug. 1992, page 58]

In the August 1992 Ensign, a man told a story of how he grew up in the Church but lost his way, and became entangled in drugs and other vices. He was broke, sick, jobless, and friendless. One night, he found himself searching through trash cans behind a supermarket for food. I’ll let him tell the rest of his story in his own words:

Elder Scott & Admiral Rickover [Ensign, June 1997, “Do What Is Right”, pp. 52-53]

Elder Richard G. Scott tells a story of how he worked for 11 years for Admiral Hyman Rickover, the father of the nuclear navy. Elder Scott received a call from the First Presidency to preside over a mission. He informed Admiral Rickover that he would have to quit. Admiral Rickover became upset, swore, broke the paper tray on his desk, and accused him of being a traitor to his country.

He said “I never will talk to you again. You are finished, not only here, but don’t ever plan to work in the nuclear field again ... If that’s the way Mormons act, I don’t want any of them working for me.”

Elder Scott was concerned that other members of the Church would be hurt, but the Spirit told him to do what is right, let the consequence follow. Over the next two months, Elder Scott trained his replacement. The Admiral ceased to speak to him and they had to communicate through a third party.

Elder Scott then tells what happened next:

From Elder Scott’s experience, we learn that we must be committed to do the right thing no matter the cost. We must trust the Lord. Also, we must not give up on those who seem to be in the opposition. Hearts can be changed.

Joseph Smith’s Vision of Discouraged Apostles [The Radiant Life, Truman G. Madsen, p.43]

I have read that Joseph Smith once had a vision of the apostles in foreign lands. He saw them standing together with their heads bowed down in discouragement because of the adversities they were facing. Because they were looking down, they could not see that the Savior was there, just above them, ready to help them if they would ask. All they needed to do was look up, but they kept their heads down. The Savior was weeping. It was said that Joseph Smith could not describe this vision without shedding tears himself.

Peter Walking on Water

The last story is about the time when Christ’s disciples saw him walking on the sea. The apostle Peter tried to go to Jesus and began to walk on the water. He had faith in Christ but then the strong winds made him afraid and he began to sink. In Matthew 14:30-31, we read: “he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand and caught him.”

These last two stories teach us that the Savior loves us and stands ready to reach out to help us in our extremities. We need to believe in him and believe that he loves us personally, that we are precious to him. We need only ask in faith for help and he will respond immediately — and provide healing in some form. Sometimes he will remove a burden and sometimes he will bless us with comfort, understanding, strength, and patience to bear the burdens placed upon us.