Mosiah 23-24

Chapter 23 verses 10-11

10 Nevertheless, after much tribulation, the Lord did hear my cries, and did answer my prayers, and has made me an instrument in his hands in bringing so many of you to a knowledge of his truth.

11 Nevertheless, in this I do not glory, for I am unworthy to glory of myself.

Alma is such a great example of being humble. I love that he explained to them that even he sinned and he had to repent, admitting he wasn’t perfect as they thought he was. The phrase “after much tribulation” is awesome. Elder Hales said in his talk during Conference, “Tests and trials are given to all of us. These mortal challenges allow us and our Heavenly Father to see whether we will exercise our agency to follow His Son. He already knows, and we have the opportunity to learn, that no matter how difficult our circumstances, “all these things shall be for our experience, and our good”.” After our trails and our repentance process, is when we can become a better instrument for the Lord to use. If we didn’t have any tough experiences, then we wouldn’t be able to relate and to teach.

Chapter 24 verses 12-16

12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.

13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.

There’s a lot going on in these verses that I could write a lot about… But mainly, I love that the Lord knows your thoughts and the intent of your heart. Even if you can’t, or even won’t cry out loud to the Lord, He knows us. He knows what we desire and what we need. Most importantly He asks us to be patient. I have bouts of discouragement and impatience all the time. I get tired of being alone, not having someone to love me and for me to love in return. Sometimes it doesn’t seem fair that all these young girls are getting married and starting their families. It’s hard to see sometimes. But I know I need to be patient and believe that my time will come too. If I keep my mind set on the Lord and what He wants and needs from me, things will be better. I need to submit to the Lord and accept that it’s not time yet for me to be blessed with those things. I need to “be of good comfort” and be of good cheer. I need to be patient.