Do we give thanks in trials and see the Lord's mercies?

In 1 Nephi 2:7 we read:
“And it came to pass that he built an altar of stones, and made an offering unto the Lord, and gave thanks unto the Lord our God.”
This verse teaches us a great deal about Lehi´s depth of faith, obedience and diligence. He had just left everything behind after having his life threatened for preaching the gospel of repentance to the people of Jerusalem. He travelled in the wilderness with his family being guided by the Spirit. Most of his family was supportive of him but he had two sons, Laman and Lemuel, who were constantly complaining and doubting his revelation. In the midst many difficulties and challenges, Lehi built an altar of stones and made an offering unto the Lord to show gratitude for the all that the Lord had done.

When we are beset with trials and challenges in our daily work as missionaries, do we recogize the Lord´s hand in blessing us? What type of alter are we building and what kind offering of gratitude are we making to the Lord? Of course we can´t stop and build an altar like Lehi did but we can show our gratitude for the blessings of the Lord in difficult times by identifying what the Lord does for us and then continuing to be faithful, obedient and diligent in accomplishing the Lord´s work. Building an altar of diligence consists of two components, “effort” and “effectiveness”. As we do this we will qualify “for the tender mercies of the Lord (that) are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance. (1 Nephi 1:20)

We love you and we are grateful for your service,
President May