By Elise Adams

The Law of Polarity teaches that everything of consequence has an opposite.

“For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so... righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one.” (1 Nephi 2:11)

Think about pushing someone on a swing. Or maybe you love swinging yourself. Have you noticed? If you only dip down a little, you only rise a little. But when there’s a strong, deep push—there’s a high, thrilling rise. The greater the fall, the greater the height! It’s all part of the ride. We don’t fear the downward motion, because we know it leads to the upswing. Both are necessary—and both are part of the joy.

Now maybe you’re thinking, “But I feel like I’m always falling. Where’s the upswing? It’s just heartache and uncertainty.” To that I say—EXACTLY. That falling sensation? It’s evidence that you're still in motion, and that your rise is coming. There cannot be an upswing without the fall first.

As Leslie Householder says in her book Hidden Treasures: Heaven’s Astonishing Help With Your Money Matters:

“When you experience a ‘bad’ situation, then this Law of Polarity assures you that there is, within it, something good. If something is a little bit bad, then it is only a little bit good. If something is catastrophic, then you can be sure there is within it something phenomenal. Opposite. Equal and opposite.”

Picture holding a bouncy ball. What color is it? How big is it? Imagine dropping it. If you just let it go from a few inches up, it might bounce a little. But if you throw it hard, what happens? It soars back up—higher and faster. That’s not just physics—it’s the Law of Polarity in action.

By law, without down, there is no up. Without black, there is no white. Without no, there is no yes. Light and dark. Soft and hard. Love and hate. Each gives meaning to the other.

So take heart. If you’re in a downward swing, the rise is coming. And if you’re currently on the upswing—pause and be grateful. Because the rhythm of life continues. The Law of Polarity is just that—a law. And we can trust it.

Let that give you hope. Your belief, your patience, your perseverance—they will pay off. Always remember:

“After the trial of our faith, THEN come the blessings.”

Let the fall deepen your rise.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2-3)