Afflictions For Our Gain
Posted by david on August 3rd, 2008
Dwight D. Eisenhower, Allied Commander in Europe during World War II and later the U.S. President, endured difficult challenges early in his life. However, these challenges turned into blessings for him and indeed for all humanity. His life reminds me of the promise given to the Jacob by his father Lehi. He said to young Jacob, “thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain” (2 Nephi 2:2).
Eisenhower’s experiences also confirm the truth that “God moves in a mysterious way” (Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, no. 285). The prophet Jacob taught, “Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways” (Jacob 4:8). God works in ways we often can’t understand or foresee to bless his children and accomplish his designs.
On December 24, 1943, General Dwight David Eisenhower was appointed the supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe. In less than six months he would be overseeing Operation Overlord, the greatest invasion by sea ever undertaken. Within one year of that invasion, Hitler’s threat to world freedom would be eliminated. However, but for a series of tragedies in his youth, Eisenhower would have never been in a position to help save the world from Nazi tyranny.
During his freshman year of high school, Eisenhower injured his knee. A severe infection developed. Eventually he recovered, but he had missed so much school that he had to repeat his freshman year.
After he graduated from high school, Eisenhower went to work to help pay for his older brother’s college education. Because of his family’s poor financial condition, he couldn’t afford to pay for his own education. A friend encouraged him to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. Unfortunately at 20, he was too old to enter. Fortunately, the age limit at the U.S. Military Academy was 21, so he took and passed the entrance exam and was accepted. Eisenhower went on to become a career Army officer where he would eventually lead the free world against the tyranny of Hitler.
Eisenhower’s affliction and sacrifice ended up being a blessing to himself personally and to the whole world. If we will trust in the Lord and seek his will, we will also see our own afflictions and sacrifices turn to our gain.
Sources:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight_D._Eisenhower
- Eisenhower: A Soldier’s Life, by Carlo D’Este, pages 41-42
I am amazed sometimes at how people get from an apparently low point A to a high point B.
I don’t really know how religious Eisenhower was, but we are all God’s children anyway. He can work with any of us.
Comment # 1 left by Eric Nielson on August 4th, 2008
I agree wholeheartedly. Life is an amazing journey, and it is usually the hardest struggles that we overcome which give us the greatest rewards in the end.
Elder Richard G. Scott stated
“Be thankful that sometimes God lets you struggle for a long time …Your character will grow; your faith will increase. There is a relationship between those two: the greater your faith, the stronger your character; and increased character enhances your ability to exercise even greater faith.” (General Conference April 2007)
Comment # 2 left by Mormon Soprano on August 4th, 2008
Thanks for this post. It’s interesting to catch a glimpse into others’ lives, and to see how universal principles apply to all of us as God’s children, as Eric said.
Comment # 3 left by Michelle on August 4th, 2008
Thank you for the insight into Eisenhower. He was a great inspiration to the American troops who liberated Europe from Nazi terror.
I have found that setbacks in life are what really get me going. When we get knocked down and pick ourselves with a determination to do and be better, that is when we really grow. It is nice to see that famous people like Ike had to work through challenges just like the rest of us.
Comment # 4 left by Dave Collingridge on August 8th, 2008