But for a Small Moment

The Reframe

Before: "I am in pain." After: "My adversity shall be but a small moment."

Scripture Anchor

"My son, 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." — D&C 121:7–8In plain terms: Spoken (Latter-day Saints believe) to Joseph Smith while he was locked in a miserable jail in winter. The message: this suffering is real, but it is temporary — and enduring it well converts it into something.

"Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." — 2 Corinthians 4:17In plain terms: Paul says suffering isn't just endured; it's working — producing something that outweighs and outlasts it.

Adams' reframe adds two words to "I am in pain": for a minute. The change gives your brain an exit ramp — pain framed as temporary hurts differently than pain framed as permanent. D&C 121 is the same move with a longer horizon: measured against eternity, even years of adversity are "a small moment."

The gospel adds one more thing Adams doesn't: the pain isn't only temporary, it's productive. "If thou endure it well" — the suffering is doing work, shaping you into someone the easy road couldn't make. You don't have to feel that in the moment. You only have to add the time stamp: small moment.

How to Apply

In pain of any kind, say the phrase: "a small moment"
Ask "how do I endure this well?" — with patience and without cruelty to yourself or others
Recall the last pain that felt permanent and wasn't; use it as evidence
Pray for peace in it, not only rescue from it — peace usually comes first

Mantra

"But for a small moment. This is temporary, and it is working on me."

Original Reframe

Adapted from I Am in Pain for a Minute (Scott Adams, Reframe Your Brain).