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TheDiscipleMD

I have repeated the above words, “all’s well that ends well”, without much thought as to the origin of its meaning. It is the name of a Shakespearean play from 1602 as well as a line spoken in that play by the character Helena. She is quoted as saying, “Yet, I pray you: But with the word the time will bring on summer, When briers shall have leaves as well as thorns, And be as sweet as sharp. We must away; Our wagon is prepared, and time revives us:  All’s well that ends well; still the fine’s the crown;Whate’er the course, the end is the renown.”

Often as we travel through this life we encounter obstacles, bumps, bruises and many times we see and feel of the injustice of mortality. It is hard to remember that we are on a journey and that “all’s well that ends well”. That is, we should have faith and take comfort in knowing that we should have few concerns if all turns out well in the end. This doesn’t mean we need rejoice in the pains along the path. However, we should keep our eyes focused on the fact that the Lord is in control and that all will turn out for our good, if we hold our faith and persevere to the end.  Joseph Smith once said:

“We hope to persevere on in every good and useful work, even unto the end, that when we come to be tried in the balance we may not be found wanting.”

He also said: “Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad.”

Each of us is given a gift in this life from a loving Father. The gift is wrapped differently and the package may be big or small. But inside each package the gift is the same. It has been engraved with our name and when we are born it is automatically opened. It is our own personal “Set of Trials”. It is meant to strengthen us and give us the needed experience for eternal progression. Again quoting Joseph Smith:

“Hold fast that which ye have received so liberally from the hand of God so that when the times of refreshing shall come ye may not have labored in vain, but that ye may rest from all your labors and have fulness of joy in the kingdom of God.”

Remember, “All’s well that ends well!” “A good man will endure all things to honor Christ, and even dispose of the whole world, and all in it, to save his soul.” ( Valiant in the Cause of Christ,” NewEra, May 2009).