Forged Under Great Pressure

I was going through my emails and found this journal entry for my religion class. I think it describes the past 4 to 5 months of my life pretty well:

This has definitely been my “pruning” semester. Before I’m qualified for Zion, the Lord needs to make sure I’m ready. I’ve had people change my life. I’ve had disappointments. I’ve had scary life realizations. I’ve been made fully aware of my weaknesses. I’ve had to deal with emotional instability and indecisiveness. Also, procrastination. Pursuits of fun things. And maintaining my virtue. It’s been a struggling semester. Nevertheless, I like what Brother Dorius said today in class: our decisions affect future generations. Doctrine and Covenants 58 relates to what the Saints are curious about: where and how to build Zion. But, the Lord is saying, how are we going to build you first? Before Zion, we must face much tribulation. That is what I feel so strongly about this semester. Thanks to men with such faith in the Doctrine and Covenants, I feel like this is achievable. They took much correction. They must have been really humble. I can only take a little correction at a time. Thankfully, the Lord is patient with me. He knows my talents, and he doesn’t want me to hide them (like those not preaching the gospel in Section 60). The church is true, and my character is being forged under great pressure and trying fires. But, I’ll come out stronger! That’s the power of the Atonement.