Today’s Reading: Mosiah 24
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.
We’ve all had hard times in our lives, and we will continue to have them as long as we are alive on this Earth. This life is a test, and it wasn’t meant to be easy. And so, we will have hard times. But it’s how we react to those hard times that ultimately show who we are and who we want to be. If we turn to the Lord during our darkest times, He will turn to us, and help us.
I wrote this post in March about how Christ can strengthen us through His Atonement. It is truly amazing that He knows us. That He can help us perfectly. Elder Bednar, in one of my favorite talks, said this about today’s reading:
What was changed in this episode? It was not the burden that changed; the challenges and difficulties of persecution were not immediately removed from the people. But Alma and his followers were strengthened, and their increased capacity and strength made the burdens they bore lighter. These good people were empowered through the Atonement to act as agents and impact their circumstances. And “in the strength of the Lord” Alma and his people were then directed to safety in the land of Zarahemla.
When we ask the Lord for help, He won’t take away our pain, He won’t change our circumstances. But He will change us. He will enable us to withstand whatever we are going through. He will empower us.
If we let Him.
If we ask Him.
Between the ages of 14-20 I went through a handful of rough patches, some of which are too personal to share. But there were times I cried myself to sleep, and there were times I would plead to my Savior to help me get through my trials.
And He did.
Did he take them away? No. But He strengthened me, He helped me change my perspective, and He put people into my life to help me heal and to help me learn to trust again. One of those ended up becoming my husband. Christ was there for me. He changed me. And He made my burdens light. Because I asked Him. Because I let Him.
As we ask Him for help, as we “submit cheerfully and with patience to [His] will” He will change us, and He will make our burdens light.
This one of the most wonderful aspects of the Atonement, of the Gospel. And for that I am eternally grateful.
Wife to Kyle, and momma to Abe and Eliza. I’m a stay-at-home momma by day, and a blogger by naptime. I graduated from BYU with a degree in Human Development, and I love to read more than anything. I love my Savior, and sharing His love for others is my greatest passion.