Chapter 16

Principles of Zion, Part XVI

Depression, Fervent Prayer, Trials of Faith

Win the battle over depression through good works and good habits (JRE Link, 2017-0220 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Choose hope over sadness. Choose love of life over despondency (JRE Link, 2017-0220 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Don't suffer through depression unto death. Let the light of hope fill your soul in those
darkest moments. Joy will come (JRE Link, 2017-0220 (Mon), COM-STR2).

"I'm still alive!" says the happy and grateful sufferer, after the bout with depression is
over and happiness is starting to return. "I made it through the pain."

"I need you alive," says the Lord. "Suicide is not all it's cracked up to be."

Don't commit sui. Side with the Lord and the Spirit will help lead you to a lasting cure for
your depression (JRE Link, 2021-0825 (Wed), COM-STR2).

For every type of depression there are many possible cures. The Spirit knows them all.
The Spirit and doctors working together in your life can do miracles (JRE Link, 2021-0825 (Wed), COM-STR2).

A suicide note that tells of your depression in life that went untreated.

Depression will take you down if you allow it. You can die crying. Don't let that happen.

My heart is filled with sadness, almost to death. Please, God, help me. I need hope.

The trials of life push you to the limit. But the Comforter can ease the suffering and help
you make it through.

A lifetime of service to others––that's why you should live (JRE Link, 2018-0617 (Sun), COM-STR2).

You don't need to find yourself, you need to lose yourself in the sorrowing and pains of
others, to share in their suffering and help them find relief.

Seventy times seven––the number of people in the world you can help.

You look pretty miserable doing miracles in the lives of others, ha ha! Happiness for you
and them is now found at every turn.

Without the Spirit, life is almost unbearable. Take cover in the gospel. Pray for relief (JRE Link, 2017-0612 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Surviving—sometimes that's the best you can do, and that's ok. Try to survive the great
emotional swings back and forth in your heart during affliction; and then, once things are settled
down, reestablish your daily routine of faith and get back on track. Repentance will be there for
you as needed.

A man of God looks back on a long and difficult trial with a sense of relief and says,
"Somehow, I was able to get through all of that."

The word "somehow" in the above statement means faith, longsuffering, and the constant
companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Hold fast to the iron rod. Hold fast to charity. Your faith will be as powerful as any
prophet; and the joy in the Lord you receive will be just as great.

Greater spiritual strength and increased knowledge of God amidst the trial—that's what
the Lord is gunning for, so that you can learn to lead others to salvation (JRE Link, 2022-0505 (Thu), COM-STR2).

You're realizing... that suffering is a necessary part of our mortal existence, as is the need
to overcome the natural man.

Let beautiful music lift you. Turn difficult days into happy days (JRE Link, 2018-1121 (Wed), COM-STR2).

Change the subject. Get busy with something else. Run away from depression to safer
ground (JRE Link, 2019-0220 (Wed), COM-STR2).

Don't argue with the old ghosts of your soul. Leave the past behind and start anew.

Don't live a vodka life or you will suffer a vodka death (JRE Link, 2018-0617 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Depression instills within us a fear of mortality. It tears down our faith and makes us feel
as though we are not strong enough to overcome life's challenges, whatever they may be (JRE Link, 2018-0617 (Sun), COM-STR2).

It doesn't need to be depression. The Comforter can help you change how you feel every
day (JRE Link, 2018-0722 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Believe in God and your heart will heal.

Inside the presence of the Comforter is the healing touch (JRE Link, 2023-0317 (Fri), WSE-MAIN).

My heart of stone will be made soft through tears, prayers, and unconditional love for
others.

The surprises we can do. You'll be happily surprised that you can actually overcome
trials, and overcome depression.

Happiness—I can guarantee it if you are obedient to me (JRE Link, 2022-0704 (Mon), WSE-MAIN).

A future in righteousness is a great future.

Unconditional righteousness. Righteousness in all circumstances.

I know your shoes. Walk with me to find your salvation.

Hold to dear life. Hold to love. Depression is not the solution to life's problems. Faith is (JRE Link, 2018-0915 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Problem solve for every trial of life that comes along. Problem solve in faith.

I can love the Savior with all my heart when I am strong in faith, and also when I am
weak in faith and needing to grow.

To love the Savior is to strive every day to be like Him.

The Savior is the pathfinder, helping us make it through life's challenges. He is there
before us, leading us forward, and we can follow in His light (JRE Link, 2021-0619 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Through this great trial you have faithfully endured, the Lord has given you the gift of
increased righteousness. Great signs and wonders from heaven will now attend you.

Becoming a better man, a more righteous man—there is great peace and happiness in
that.

I've been able to greatly reduce the emotional suffering I experience every day; and the
way I have done this is through the change God has wrought in me.

"Yes," says the faithful soul to the Lord, standing tall amidst the smoke, ashes, and
burning embers of a life just devastated by a severe affliction. "I will continue to love Thee and
obey Thee."

I couldn't see it at the height of my suffering, but somehow I knew that the trial would
end some day and finally be over. So, I'm glad I remained faithful to the Lord.

I was on the road to emptiness when fulfillment came upon me. Being kind and helping
others who were suffering helped me to save my own life (JRE Link, 2019-0105 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Go wet your shoulder with the tears of others (JRE Link, 2022-0503 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Love is unfolding in your life. The kindness of others will fill you to the brim (JRE Link, 2018-0818 (Sat), COM-STR2).

I've been trying to teach you so many things about eternal life and the joy of the Latter-
day Saints, but you're too depressed right now to listen (JRE Link, 2018-0617 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Bring down the temperature. Reduce the fever of depression (JRE Link, 2018-0617 (Sun), COM-STR2).

You're starting to feel love in your heart again. Depression is receding (JRE Link, 2018-0617 (Sun), COM-STR2).

The healing power of the Spirit––a salve for your wounds (JRE Link, 2016-1217 (Sat), COM-STR2).

The Holy Ghost––the voice I hear when I'm in dire need (JRE Link, 2018-1025 (Thu), COM-STR2).

The Holy Ghost is a proven lifter of spirits (JRE Link, 2019-1108 (Fri), WSE-MAIN).

Sunrise, sunset––the Comforter can remain with us all day long (JRE Link, 2017-0715 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Engage the battle with affliction head-on through serious prayer––exhaustive prayer hour
by hour on your knees at bedside (JRE Link, 2017-0220 (Mon), COM-STR2).

The trial is severe. So, you better be kneeling as you pray.

Nights of depression. Nights of despair. Lord, I need Thee desperately. Every hour I need
Thee (JRE Link, 2018-0617 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Pray yourself through it and don't let up. Pray through the trial morning, afternoon,
evening, and night (JRE Link, 2020-0919 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Be sincere and use delicate words in your pleadings to the Lord (JRE Link, 2017-0620 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Heavenly Father, please soften the affliction for me. Help me to find peace in Thee and
happiness in my life.

Heavenly Father, help me to see my affliction through Thine eyes and with Thy greater
understanding.

Let your heart be pure, and the Lord will soften the affliction for you. Purify your heart
through tearful prayers (JRE Link, 2017-0620 (Tue), COM-STR2).

The greater the purity of your heart, the greater the manifestation of the Spirit you will
enjoy.

Be healed by the Spirit. Let your heart bathe in the Spirit as you pray (JRE Link, 2020-1003 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Fervent prayer—feeling stronger every day (JRE Link, 2020-0922 (Tue), WSE-MAIN).

You wait and wait and then suddenly––boom! Help from the Lord for your urgent plea
has arrived.

The Spirit provides a great firewall in your heart to help you manage emotional pain
when it occurs, and then to overcome it.

Rest cures the soul (JRE Link, 2016-0312 (Sat), WSE-MAIN).

Rest with the Comforter as a warm blanket upon you.

Seek for a steady peace to support you during tribulation. The scriptures are with us
always. Find a quiet treehouse where you can read them without being interrupted (JRE Link, 2017-0220 (Mon), COM-STR2).

The Trail of Tears––remember the suffering of others when enduring trials in your own
life (JRE Link, 2017-0724 (Mon), COM-STR2).

The Siege of Leningrad––the suffering of the world is beyond words! (JRE Link, 2017-0728 (Fri), COM-STR2)

On the other hand, Hurricane Harvey––let's congratulate the world! Neighbor helping
neighbor. Faith in God on the move. The spirit of goodness inspiring the people of the earth.

Hi, I'm from the South. I'm in the Cajun Navy and I'm here to help.

"Dessert," says the Lord, describing the beautiful, sweet ending of Les Miserables where
everything comes together as one in truth and glory. The wonderful story of Jean Valjean is a
great parable of the gospel to learn from amidst our trials.

Jean, as a tree pruner, sought to help support his widowed sister and her seven famished
young children. Stealing bread, he ultimately had to mourn their loss, as he was made helpless in
prison, unable to assist them more. He escapes after many years of imprisonment there and
returns to the outside world. But he has no friends or family, and he feels only hatred for
mankind in his soul. Living in the street, he seeks food and shelter at the home of Bishop Myriel.
He steals the Bishop's silverware, but is quickly caught. Being forgiven for his misdeed, he is
brought to tears by the charity embodied in Bishop Myriel, who himself was blessed by seeing
Jean repent and embrace a new life dedicated to God.

Setting up shop with a successful business in Montreuil, he, as it says in the book: was
the foster-father of the poor. He founded hospitals, opened schools, visited the sick, dowered
young girls, supported widows, and adopted orphans; he was like the guardian angel of the
country. He saved Father Fauchelevent from under the wheels of his fallen horse-driven cart,
which was heavily laden. He saved Fantine from jail, and put her up in the hospital, as she was ill
and needing care. He saved Champmathieu from the galleys, fully denouncing himself and
losing his comfortable life in Montreuil. He saved the orphan Cossette—the pride of Fantine—
from the wicked Thenardiers, giving her a wonderful new life. He donated five thousand francs
to the nuns of the Convent of Petit Picpus. He saved the life of Inspector Javert, his lifelong

nemesis, at the barricade. He saved the young man Marius at the barricade, risking again his own
life, and thereby bringing joy to Cossette, and also bringing a new hope in life to Marius's
grandfather, Luc-Esprit Gillenormand. So, in Jean Valjean, we can see what a sad and depressed
man can do, and where he can find happiness in the world. He saved many, and he saved
himself.

Be innocent in the eyes of God. Pray innocently. Suffer through trials innocently (JRE Link, 2017-0704 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Overcome the cross you bear. Overcome the world.

The Lord will have mercy upon you. The Lord will visit you. The Lord will deliver you (JRE Link, 2017-0704 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Be meek and lowly. Quiet innocence leads to greater peace (JRE Link, 2017-0704 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Jesus Christ in Gethsemane––quiet suffering and quiet innocence (JRE Link, 2017-0704 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Jesus Christ before Pontius Pilate––quiet suffering and quiet innocence.

Walk with the Lord on the road to Emmaus. The things of the heart the Lord understands (JRE Link, 2017-0306 (Mon), COM-STR2).

You're not alone. I am with you (JRE Link, 2017-0612 (Mon), WSE-MAIN).

How I have deeply loved you! I am the Lord. I AM (JRE Link, 2017-0719 (Wed), WSE-MAIN).

How easy to love thee. Your faith is outstanding (JRE Link, 2022-0711 (Mon), WSE-MAIN).

I would come to thee in the middle of the night (JRE Link, 2015-1205 (Sat), WSE-MAIN).

I would grant thee knowledge (JRE Link, 2017-0908 (Fri), WSE-MAIN).

Believe me. Believe in me.

Try to be like me (JRE Link, 2017-0214 (Tue), WSE-MAIN).

Learn to depend on me (JRE Link, 2015-0723 (Thu), WSE-MAIN).

Let's do the works of the Father together.

Come unto me in my Father's kingdom.

Mortality is about life and death. Life is in me.

Hope lives on. Life is worth living (JRE Link, 2018-0314 (Wed), COM-STR2).

The Atonement of Jesus Christ––amazing grace.

Many of the world took up their crosses, repented of their sins, and were saved. Be one of
those.

Accept the challenges of mortality. Suffer when necessary, reverently and quietly. I'll
carry you through (JRE Link, 2017-0808 (Tue), COM-STR2).

I want to spare you affliction, but everything has its purpose (JRE Link, 2020-0728 (Tue), WSE-MAIN).

There are valid reasons for these trials you are going through.

The trials do pass, even quickly, just like time.

The future is in your hands. Overcoming trials empowers you.

Be obedient to God at all times and in all places, and most especially during trials (JRE Link, 2022-0715 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Don't underestimate the importance of trials. You need them to help you overcome the
natural man and become fully clean (JRE Link, 2022-0715 (Fri), COM-STR2).

A trial is like a spiritual car wash of your soul—presoak, scrubbing, degreaser, high
power spray wash, protective sealant wax, and final heat blast to dry you off. And upon exiting,
you are sparkling clean (JRE Link, 2022-0715 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Every day in the past, something was learned. And you're learning something today as
well (JRE Link, 2021-1125 (Thu), COM-STR2).

Turn your suffering and trials into something good in your life. Inspire the world with
your faithfulness.

The difficult "why me?" questions you have in your life right now will be immediately
answered as you pass through the gates of the celestial kingdom.

You will be astonished beyond belief as you hold the riches of eternity in your hands, like
the sparkling gold and jewels of a great treasure chest (JRE Link, 2019-0206 (Wed), COM-STR2).

Close your eyes and dream of what's beyond the stars (JRE Link, 2017-0605 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Wait for an eternity filled with glory, like Job (JRE Link, 2018-0304 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Look into the heart of Job for answers. Humility, faithfulness, and a knowledge of the
truth will comfort you during affliction (JRE Link, 2018-0710 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Let a Job-like version of your soul emerge (JRE Link, 2020-0928 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Be Job-like, salvation-ready.

Sleep peacefully at night like Job—humble, quiet, and full of faith for the future.

By being faithful to God after having lost all in life, including his sons and daughters, Job
achieved the ideal of the gospel (JRE Link, 2018-0804 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Remember Job's happy and prosperous second life. Faithfulness to God will be rewarded (JRE Link, 2018-0606 (Wed), COM-STR2).

Being humble and patient during affliction can help lead you to that big moment in life...
a Cinderella moment... a day of unspeakable joy and blessings.

Hear me, O ye faithful. You will be vindicated.

Endure. You can endure the trial. It will make you stronger.

Hold on (JRE Link, 2015-0302 (Mon), WSE-MAIN).

Lay yourself down and be at peace. Just endure the storm as it passes over you (JRE Link, 2016-1226 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Peace is an oasis during times of affliction. The Spirit brings peace (JRE Link, 2019-0530 (Thu), WSE-MAIN).

Find peace through strength of character.

Faith––remaining positive and hopeful even when there is uncertainty or adversity in
your life (JRE Link, 2018-0626 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Faithful in times of peace and plenty. Faithful in times of adversity (JRE Link, 2018-1230 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Wait in faith for the blessings of the Lord you desire.

Good news will happen. Be hopeful and cheerful as you wait.

Gradually it happens—a softening of the affliction by the Lord to make your life much
easier.

Being humble takes away much of the sting of affliction, making it easier for you to
endure (JRE Link, 2022-0703 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Being prepared to face trials signifies to the Lord that your faith is already strong (JRE Link, 2018-0613 (Wed), COM-STR2).

Be calm as the moment of trial arrives so you can lead your family safely through (JRE Link, 2018-1230 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Fear is gone. Faith is now filling my soul.

I am no longer afraid. The Lord is with me (JRE Link, 2018-0301 (Thu), COM-STR2).

Just feel the Spirit and your faith won't be shaken.

Faith and peace go together (JRE Link, 2018-0710 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Peace through faith helps to mitigate suffering.

The peace I was longing for came to me through the Holy Ghost.

A peaceful life—that's what you want and need most (JRE Link, 2021-0512 (Wed), WSE-MAIN).

Peace—it's such a good feeling.

Rower 41, keep the faith. Great things are ahead for you.

Cheer up. Find joy in righteousness. Angels love to appear to the righteous (JRE Link, 2016-1223 (Fri), COM-STR2).

The Lord loves to do miracles. The Lord loves to grant visions.

Smile through trials. Smile through life.

Today will be a good day if you make it so.

Trials are like violins, building up feelings in our hearts (JRE Link, 2019-1202 (Mon), COM-STR2).

"My charity can take it," says the faithful Latter-day Saint, amidst a difficult trial.

Accept your trials of life like Paul. They are a badge of honor in celestial glory (JRE Link, 2018-0613 (Wed), COM-STR2).

Are you willing to endure the trial patiently? That's the question the Lord is asking (JRE Link, 2018-1205 (Wed), COM-STR2).

More impatient words from you.... Do you want the Lord to provide assistance to you at
the proper time––His time––or ahead of schedule? (JRE Link, 2019-0927 (Fri), COM-STR2)

The tasks of God can sometimes be backbreaking (JRE Link, 2018-0609 (Sat), COM-STR2).

There is both sadness and joy in life, not just one or the other (JRE Link, 2018-1201 (Sat), COM-STR2).

The difficult trial you are passing through is a master class in faith development.

Overcoming trials through faith in God makes you feel wonderful!

You've done it! Your faith in God has won the day (JRE Link, 2019-0201 (Fri), COM-STR2).

The trial is over. You are tested now. Blessings granted! (JRE Link, 2019-0808 (Thu), COM-STR2)

Oh, for joy! The Spirit brings joy, and joy is a sign of good things to come (JRE Link, 2018-0412 (Thu), COM-STR2).

A celestial crown is what we are after, not an earthly one. Charity conquers all (JRE Link, 2017-0220 (Mon), COM-STR2).