“Sweet are the uses of adversity, which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head; and this our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in every thing.”
This passage from William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” (II.1.12-17) draws on folklore about an ugly toad whose head bears a precious, healing stone. Duke Senior, whose “adversity” arises from having been deposed and driven into wilderness exile by Frederick, his ambitious and cunning younger brother, is describing the attitude he’s adopted as a result of that coup. (“Uses,” in Shakespeare’s language here, means “profits.”)
The “jewel” that Senior discovers in the Forest of Arden is withdrawal from “public haunt,” from the court, which has given him the quiet opportunity to reflect. Anyway, he says, rough-hewn nature speaks more eloquently and more honestly than do disingenuous human tongues, clever books and smooth sermonizing. Even rocks are better company than courtiers, and far less treacherous.
Shakespeare’s point here is entirely consistent with the restored gospel’s teaching that this life is about what (borrowing from the late John Hick) I’ve termed “soul-making” (see this previous column “A place designed to make saints,” Nov. 6, 2014).
Today, however, the expression “sweet are the uses of adversity” may most often be used sarcastically. Certainly, it seems too smug, too easy and comfortable, to be used in earnest by anybody who isn’t significantly suffering or who hasn’t suffered significantly in the past. We would, for instance, regard it as appallingly inappropriate if a healthy person were to congratulate those struggling with grave diseases on the glorious opportunity they’ve been given to build their character thereby. A rich man with plenty to eat and a comfortable home probably shouldn’t explain to a poor, hungry man who poverty is a gift bestowed upon him for his eternal benefit.
But here we come to one of the unique aspects of Christianity, which teaches that “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), and that “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19). The Savior actually is in a position to tell us that “all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.” Why? Because “The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?” (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7-8). “For,” says the author of the epistle to the Hebrews, “we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
As the prophet Alma explained to the people of Gideon early in the first century before Christ’s birth, “he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities” (Alma 7:12).
A revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, during the winter of 1832-1833 describes Christ as “He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:6).
“He is despised and rejected of men,” says the prophet Isaiah in his famous “suffering servant” poem, traditionally understood by Christians as a description of Jesus, “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3).
But “soul-making” ultimately justifies deep suffering and gives meaning to difficulties only if those adversities aren’t the end of the story. In the play, Senior — presumably a better and wiser man for his time exiled in the wilderness — is restored to his dukedom. In sports, overcoming defeat and discouragement builds character, but does so primarily for life beyond the game and even outside the stadium. Within the game itself, a defeat is simply a defeat.
“My son,” said the Lord to the Prophet Joseph, imprisoned in Missouri, “peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-8).
Five years later, imprisoned again, faithful Joseph was murdered by a mob (see Doctrine and Covenants 135) — and those who murdered him are remembered only as footnotes to his story.
Daniel Peterson teaches Arabic studies, founded BYU’s Middle Eastern Texts Initiative, directs MormonScholarsTestify.org, chairs mormoninterpreter.com, blogs daily at patheos.com/blogs/danpeterson, and speaks only for himself.