Adversity is the impact of hardships, afflictions, calamitous events, or opposition. Adversity is part of the great plan of happiness that helps us become more like our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth" (Hebrews 12:6). Suffering can build character as people learn patience, long-suffering, and self-mastery. The sufferings of our Savior were part of His education. We can meet adverstiy with the help of the Lord. He has given us the avenue of prayer for guidance. Every reversal can be turned to our benefit and blessing and can make us stronger, more courageous, more godlike.

"No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God" (Orson F. Whitney, in Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, 98).