By Christine Stuart
When we are in the midst of a trial, especially one that has happened in such a way that we could not possibly control, it is hard to remember to be patient. I think of the pioneers of the Willie and Martin handcart companies in relation to the Parable of the Accident and the Snowstorm, as they certainly did not ask for winter to come so suddenly or in all its fury. Just as Maddie did not wish to be caught in the storm.
Still, these trials and struggles we face can give us perspective on those who have faced the same or worse in the past. Continuing with the example of the pioneers, being in a similar storm can give you perspective on what they must have faced and how they must have felt as they watched the wind blow so fiercely that the snow passed sideways in front of them.
Another example that comes to mind is the Prophet Joseph Smith, confined to Liberty Jail. Surely that small cell would have been cold and miserable. It is from there that we get the scriptures contained in Doctrine and Covenants section 121:3, 7–9.
And then there is the example of our Savior Jesus Christ as he began the Atonement in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:38–39).
All of these historical figures had to suffer through the things they were being asked to, without being able to stop their suffering in those moments. The pioneers were still miles away from their final destination, Joseph still had several months of confinement in Liberty Jail, and the weight of the Atonement had only begun to bear down on Jesus.
In 2 Nephi 31 we learn of the doctrine of Christ, the last part of which is enduring to the end (2 Nephi 31:19–20). The parable about Maddie also allows for reflection on enduring well.
What does it mean to endure well? Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave an excellent talk on the subject (“Endure it Well”). Something else to keep in mind is Mosiah 3:19, which says in part, “… becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.” The Father will occasionally inflict things upon us that we will not like but that will be for our good and benefit.
After the suffering and trial come the moments of rescue. Dispatch showing up with resources or the snowplow clearing the way. While our rescue may not take the form that we would like, for example when dispatch showed up before the tow truck, we must take what relief we can, knowing that someday our trials will end.
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The Weekly Parable 
Thanks, Ben, for an excellent summary on trials of mortality and the eventual rescue by our Savior. If I may, I take exception to just one thing in your interpretation. Despite what Mosiah 3:19 says about the Lord inflicting things upon us, I don’t think God lays awake at night thinking up ways to make our lives harder. Rather, I think He allows the vicissitudes of mortality to take their course. Bad things are going to happen in a fallen world without God adding to our misery. When my children were young, I did all I could to protect them and teach them. As they got older, I gave them more freedom to make mistakes, even though I knew how their poor choices would turn out. I didn’t need to trip them or throw rocks in their paths. I knew the hard knocks would come their way without any help from me. My job was to pick them up, dust them off, give them a hug, and encourage them to keep going. I believe our Father in heaven is a hugger, not a tripper.
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Hi David! This is one of Christine’s posts, as was the parable itself. I agree that Heavenly Father isn’t looking to trip us up, but at the same time I have tended to believe that He may from time to time place something in one’s life that is difficult and will promote both growth and desire to seek Him. Perhaps those instances are instead things that He knows are coming and merely allows to happen, and to try telling these apart amounts to splitting hairs. But I’ve heard many people say their challenges in life seem suited to them and teaching the lessons they specifically need to learn.
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