3 Nephi 18:25

And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world; and whosoever breaketh this commandment suffereth himself to be led into temptation.

Jesus invites us all to come and feel and see. This invitation has meanings on many levels. We come unto Christ through the saving ordinances of the gospel. We feel his spirit and influence through the power of the Holy Ghost. We see him work in our lives through powerful evidences. We repeat, remember, and grow until the day comes when we come into his presence, feel his wounds with our hands, and see his countenance with our eyes. First spiritual and then physical. He will turn no one away or deny anyone who approaches with humility and real intent. We do not have to be perfect, for he will make us perfect. We do not have to be worthy, for he will make us worthy. But we must come to him worthily, meaning with the right desire and attitude, with a willingness to submit. He cannot ignore anyone who comes to him in this way.

Helaman 3:20

Nevertheless Helaman did fill the judgment-seat with justice and equity; yea, he did observe to keep the statutes, and the judgments, and the commandments of God; and he did do that which was right in the sight of God continually; and he did walk after the ways of his father, insomuch that he did prosper in the land.

Contention and troubles surrounded Helaman, yet he had personal peace and prosperity. Our attitude and obedience are the source of peace far more than our temporal surroundings.

Alma 62:49

But notwithstanding their riches, or their strength, or their prosperity, they were not lifted up in the pride of their eyes; neither were they slow to remember the Lord their God; but they did humble themselves exceedingly before him.

Just as we choose our attitude towards affliction, we also choose our attitude towards prosperity. It is often easier to stay faithful in times of trial than in times of peace and plenty. We must be ever watchful regarding pride, slothfulness and materialism.

Alma 62:41

But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility.

The same war and suffering that hardened some hearts softened others. The difference is not in the affliction but in the attitude. We choose how we respond to everything that happens to us.

Alma 1:28

And thus they did establish the affairs of the church; and thus they began to have continual peace again, notwithstanding all their persecutions.

Peace is not the absence of trouble. It is attitude with which we meet our troubles. It is trusting in God and exercising faith despite our circumstances.  It is being grateful in all things, even the things we don't like.

Mosiah 23:3

And they fled eight days’ journey into the wilderness.

Alma and his people, like all repentant people, spent time in the wilderness, living in tents, subsisting on the bare necessities, stripping themselves of the world, and becoming sanctified. Because they were humble and teachable, they did not suffer in the wilderness for long. They turned the wilderness from an affliction into a home and a refuge. The wilderness is what we make it. If we fight it, it can be a miserable existence. If, however, we accept it and work with it, the wilderness can become an Eden.

Second Nephi 10:23

Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.

To cheer up is a commandment repeated many times. It is not just a suggestion or an encouragement, it is a commandment. God wants us to be happy. Now, happy does not always mean comfortable or carefree. Thus, we are also commanded to be grateful "in all things." We may not be grateful for all things, but we should be grateful in all things. Regardless of our circumstances, we should look for blessings and tender mercies, even if it is just gratitude for another day to try again. When we can be grateful, we will be cheerful. The two work hand in hand. If we can keep the one commandment, we will keep the other. Further, we can find comfort in the knowledge that God never forgets us. (1 Nephi 21:15-16)

Second Nephi 10:20

And now, my beloved brethren, seeing that our merciful God has given us so great knowledge concerning these things, let us remember him, and lay aside our sins, and not hang down our heads, for we are not cast off; nevertheless, we have been driven out of the land of our inheritance; but we have been led to a better land, for the Lord has made the sea our path, and we are upon an isle of the sea.

What we perceive as affliction and misfortune in our finite view of life may actually be wonderful blessings when we get to the end of the experience. We have to always trust God and believe that his plan is in our best interest. If we truly believe he loves us and is doing everything to save and exalt us, we can be grateful in all things, even when they are hard things.

Second Nephi 4:20

My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

No doubt Nephi suffered in the wilderness and crossing the ocean. But he did not blame God. He recognized the hand of God in helping him through his hardest times. Nephi's attitude is the example for us in our hard times. Our trials are a blessing if we turn to God, because we will come to know him. Nephi would not have been the prophet and leader that he was without his wilderness experience.

First Nephi 17:13

And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.

Keeping the commandments does not necessarily rescue us from the wilderness, but it makes the wilderness experience successful in that we learn to follow the Lord and depend on him. When he becomes our light, the wilderness is not nearly so dark and bleak.

First Nephi 16:20

 And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael did begin to murmur exceedingly, because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; and also my father began to murmur against the Lord his God; yea, and they were all exceedingly sorrowful, even that they did murmur against the Lord.

Complaining is contagious. We can lose our perspective if we are surrounded by negative people. The people we choose to be with impact our lives for good or ill. We must choose our companions wisely.