Today’s Reading: Alma 31:25-38
31 O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people.
32 O Lord, wilt thou comfort my soul, and give unto me success, and also my fellow laborers who are with me—yea, Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, and also Amulek and Zeezrom, and also my two sons—yea, even all these wilt thou comfort, O Lord. Yea, wilt thou comfort their souls in Christ.
Alma recognized that the Zoramites close proximity to the Lamanites coupled with their hostility towards believers posed a threat to the Nephite society. Alma knew that “preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just,” it even had a “more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else” (Alma 31:5). Therefore, Alma assembled an all-star team of missionaries and “went … among the Zoramites, to preach unto them the word” (Alma 31:7).
His disappointment at finding such sin-sick people, obsessed with costly apparel was overwhelming. Not only had the Zoramites turned their backs against God, but they also despised the poor, worshiped idols, and were filled with vanity and pride. Although displeased, Alma never became self-righteous. In fact, his behavior stood in stark contrast to the Zoramites’ self-proclaimed superiority. Alma could see their errors, but he was still able to recognize that they were “precious souls” and his “brethren” (Alma 31:35). What a powerful reminder! Sinful people {so in other words, ALL of us} are treasured by our Father in Heaven and our Savior. Our sins cannot remove us from the love of God, nor can the sins of others remove God’s love from them. We are His children. He loves us unconditionally, eternally, and unchangingly. Our worth is not contingent upon anything. President Uchtdorf has said:
“Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely.” [1]
Alma knew the Savior loved the Zoramite people, which is why he stayed and labored. When it would have been easier to leave, he stood firm and resolute. Surely he couldn’t see his ministry’s end from beginning, nor did he know if success, or safety for that matter, would come. His faith and ability to not obsess over everything outside of his control inspires me to worry less and choose faith more. He was understandably overwhelmed with the task before him, and so he turned to the Lord in mighty prayer. Of the eight verses from his prayer, verse 31 was the most touching:
O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me… (Alma 31:31).
I can feel a man yearning to be an instrument in God’s hands, desiring to rescue lost sheep, and to be perfectly obedient. I sense that he was weary and afflicted, worried and cast-down. I sense his urgency, humility, and complete dependence on God. Interestingly, his desire was not to have his affliction removed; his desire was to be strengthened to be able to endure the afflictions that he was certain would come. He didn’t attempt to lessen the blows and he certainly didn’t complain. He pleaded to be made equal to the task, something that, at times, feels impossible to utter. Our fallen human natures would have us shrink and run from every difficulty, but God needs us to stand with our feet firmly planted, especially if that difficulty pertains to building His kingdom.
Desiring love and comfort is a great human equalizer. We, like Alma, have need to be reassured by our Heavenly Father. Alma knew that praying would not remove the task before him, but praying invoked the power of heaven. This prayer gave him direct access to heaven’s help and the outpouring of blessings. We know that Alma was magnified, made more than he could be on his own, because he trusted in a loving God. He knelt in prayer, and then stood, armed with heavenly help, and made amazing things happen. It reminds me of what President Gordon B. Hinckley once said:
“Get on your knees and ask for the blessings of the Lord; then stand on your feet and do what you are asked to do.” [2]
Vanessa has been married to Prince Charming since 2007 and is Mommy to three bouncy boys. She spends her days enforcing nap time, avoiding laundry, and setting off the fire alarm.