A patient willingness to defer dividends is a hallmark of individual maturity.

Within what is allotted to us, we can have spiritual contentment.

Sometimes we are so busy being the hammer or the anvil, that we forget who really needs the shaping.

In the economy of Heaven, God does not send thunder if a still, small voice is enough, or a prophet if a priest can do the job.

Meanwhile, spiritual submissiveness brings about the wiser use of our time, talents, and gifts as compared with our laboring diligently but conditionally to establish our own righteousness instead of the Lord's (D&C 1:16). After all, Lucifer was willing to work very hard, but conditionally in his own way and for his own purposes.

Most of our suffering comes from sin and stupidity; it is, nevertheless, very real, and growth can occur with real repentance. But the highest source of suffering appears to be reserved for the innocent who undergo divine tutorial training.

The imperfections of others never release us from the need to work on our own shortcomings.