Treatments for his illness "have proved encouraging," and Elder Maxwell thanked those who have exercised faith and offered prayers in his behalf.
"Uncertainty as to our longevity is one of life's basic realities for all of us. Hence, you and I should importune in faith for the blessings we deeply desire, but then be 'content with the things which the Lord hath allotted to us,' " he said, quoting from the Book of Mormon. "There are variations in our trials, but no immunities.
"The redeeming presence of our loving Father-God in the universe is the grand fact pertaining to the human condition. It is the supernal truth which, along with His plan of happiness, reigns preeminent and imperial over all other realities.
"Mortal experience points evermore to the Atonement of Jesus Christ as the central act of all human history." Our trials help us better appreciate Jesus' sufferings for us and his matchless character.
Ever acknowledging God's redeeming hand is very important. Doing so is diminished by the unwise mortal reliance on "the arm of flesh."