In the Book of Mormon we read that King Noah was about to release Abinidi, for he feared his word, but his priests stirred him up in anger so that he delivered him up to be slain. As he was being burned, he prophesied that many others would suffer the pains of death by fire because of their belief in God. He also told them that because of their iniquities, they would be afflicted with all manner of diseases, and they would be smitten and scattered and suffer death by fire, just as Abinidi had. He said that God executes vengeance against those who destroy His people. Abinidi sealed the truth of his words by his death. Mosiah 17:11-20 "And now king Noah was about to release him, for he feared his word; for he feared that the judgments of God would come upon him. But the priests lifted up their voices against him, and began to accuse him, saying: He has reviled the king. Therefore the king was stirred up in anger against him, and he delivered him up that he might be slain. And it came to pass that they took him and bound him, and scourged his skin with faggots, yea, even unto death. And now when the flames began to scorch him, he cried unto them, saying: Behold, even as ye have done unto me, so shall it come to pass that thy seed shall cause that many shall suffer the pains that I do suffer, even the pains of death by fire; and this because they believe in the salvation of the Lord their God. And it will come to pass that ye shall be afflicted with all manner of diseases because of your iniquities. Yea, and ye shall be smitten on every hand, and shall be driven and scattered to and fro, even as a wild flock is driven by wild and ferocious beasts. And in that day ye shall be hunted, and ye shall be taken by the hand of your enemies, and then ye shall suffer, as I suffer, the pains of death by fire. Thus God executeth vengeance upon those that destroy his people. O God, receive my soul. And now, when Abinadi had said these words, he fell, having suffered death by fire; yea, having been put to death because he would not deny the commandments of God, having sealed the truth of his words by his death."
A scripture in the Old Testament tells us that this is the day the Lord has made and we should rejoice and be glad in it. Some days go better than others, but every day has things to be grateful for and rejoice in if we look for it. I knew a lady who had this Bible verse on her answering machine. And she lived it, always having a smile on her face and a cheerful attitude, even though she was in a wheelchair and was plagued by health problems. This is a good verse to memorize and repeat to ourselves every day! Psalms 118:24 "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the afflictions we suffer in this life are but for a moment, and they work in us a far more exceeding weight of glory which will last forever. When you look at things with an eternal perspective, we can see that our temporary suffering here won't last, but it can help us become the people we need to be in order to receive eternal glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17 "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;"
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