REXBURG — Trials and adversity are integral parts of life. That was the message delivered by Doug Sorensen, the Maintenance Services manager on campus and today’s BYU-Idaho Devotional speaker.
In his address, “If Thou Endure It Well,” Sorensen spoke about the critical role that adversity plays in people’s lives and how trials can be beneficial in the long run. Sorensen opened his talk by telling the story of the Bismarck during World War II. The Bismarck was a German ship that was thought to be one of the greatest ships the world had ever known.
The battle pitted the German Bismarck against England’s HMS Hood. The HMS Hood and HMS Prince of Wales were sent to intercept the Bismarck when it emerged from the Denmark Straights. As the ship emerged, they exchanged fire resulting in damage to both ships, causing each crew to retreat. After a 30-hour search, the Bismarck was again located. Torpedo planes were dispatched to drop experimental explosives on the Bismarck. However, because of bad weather, the plane mistakenly unleashed a torpedo on a British Navy ship. Miraculously, the torpedo exploded before striking the ship. The British Navy was able to regroup and learn from the mishap.
“The British Navy is a great example of perseverance through times of trial,” Sorensen said in the devotional. “Although everything seemed to be going wrong for them, their unwillingness to accept defeat allowed them to keep focused on the task at hand and to eventually accomplish their goal. Each unsuccessful mission ended up being a learning opportunity.”
As he continued his address, Sorensen shared a story from his life.
In 2012, Sorensen and his wife were grateful to discover that they were expecting another child. A few months later, they found themselves in the doctor’s office following an ultrasound. The doctor told them that the ultrasound revealed that their baby was sick and had a low probability of living. The doctor suggested they terminate the pregnancy. Despite a difficult pregnancy and the possibility of complications, the Sorensen’s continued in faith, praying that Heavenly Father would protect and bless their baby. Three weeks before the baby was due, Sorensen’s wife began having contractions. They rushed to the hospital. The doctor was unable to prepare as he would’ve liked to for the procedure. The Sorensen’s were informed that they would need to perform a c-section. Although, when their baby girl arrived, she appeared normal, she soon passed away in the arms of her parents, despite all the doctors could do.
In an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio, Sorensen shared the feelings that came from that life-altering trial.
“Maybe that's the way it was meant to be,” Sorensen said. “She wasn't meant to be here on Earth, having to deal with all the trials and things that she needed to deal with. And we were blessed. I really think for every challenge that we face, we're also given blessings.”
Ultimately, after three months of pondering what he should speak about and how he should write his talk, Sorensen hopes that what people take away from his address is the mindset that trials will not derail their life. Trials are a part of mortality.
“Disappointment is a huge thing,” Sorensen said. “People receive all kinds of disappointments in their life. You just have to move on. You can't let that be a stumbling block to you.”