You might reasonably wonder why a loving and all-powerful God allows our mortal test to be so hard. It is because He knows that we must grow in spiritual cleanliness and stature to be able to live in His presence. My wise mother taught me this when I was a little boy. I had asked her, “Mother, why is life so hard?” She smiled and said firmly, “Hal, of course it’s hard. It’s supposed to be. Life is a test.” Years later I realized that as she spoke these words to me, she was passing through tests of her own and rising up through a lifetime of terrible medical trials. But, because she knew the words “Fear not, I am with thee,” were true, the Lord’s promise was fulfilled for her. We know that the Lord will comfort all of those who try to follow Him. And He offers us the great blessing and trust to help Him keep His promise to succor Heavenly Father’s children in their tests along their mortal journey toward home. #GeneralConference Used with permission. "Yoke" by Haley Miller. Courtesy of Altus Fine Art © 2026