Of Burdens and Blessings (Mosiah 23-24)

I love reading Mosiah chapters 23-24 in the Book of Mormon because they help me remember how good the Lord is and that just when we think He is disinterested or doesn’t care about us or what happens in our lives, if we can push through and remain faithful we can and will be blessed beyond anything we can imagine. 

We need to trust Him most when it is hardest. We can’t let go of His hand just as the mists of darkness arise and swirl threatening around us. 

That is particularly the moment when we must walk by faith and not by sight. Its as we push through to the other side, the Lord helps us gain a greater vision of who He is and who He wants us to become. The people in this story were blessed because of this burden and trail. The Lord strengthen them which, in turn made their burdens light, the blessing being, after the burden or trail had past, what remains was a stronger, more deeply committed individual.

In Mosiah Chapter 24 it states:

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."

It is my testimony that the Lord has allowed me to “stand” as a witness for Him hereafter, so that others may know of a surety that the Lord does visit His people in their afflictions and has made me stronger and better because of it. The Lord is the master economist and investor or experiences in people who will, if they choose, can use them to bless not only their lives but the lives of countless others.

Maybe that’s what Alma meant in part when he stood at the waters of Mormon and told the multitude which had assembled together that they, like we, are to share one another’s burdens, so that they may be light. In this case perhaps sharing could also be taken to mean to share the experiences and lessons learned from our burdens with each other to help strengthen and fortify us.

Rarely if ever do I believe the Lord will bless us with a blessing that is just uniquely for our own personal benefit. Blessings are meant to be shared, and enjoyed, not only for ourselves but for the benefit of others. That is the gospel way.  

This wonderful Mormon Message entitled, "Mountains to Climb," illustrates this point perfectly.