My intent for today’s scripture study regarding Elder Bednar’s talk was to examine the topical guide for the phrase ‘patience’. However, as I considered what forms of patience I wanted to research, I realized that I already knew the perfect story of a group of people who suffered their afflictions in remarkable patience. Those people were the followers of Alma, who endured many trials for their faith. Let me give a quick review.
Alma, as you may recall, was a priest of King Noah. Along with the other wicked priests, he listened to the testimony of the prophet Abinadi; unlike the others, he alone believed. Because of that faith, his fellow priests sought his life, and later, the lives of those who chose to follow his teachings. The people of Alma – Mulekites – fled from their own people, only to wind up in the clutches of the same wicked priests who had previously sought their lives. When they prayed to God, they were threatened with death. When they continued to pray in their hearts, they were not freed from their unrighteous slavery. Instead, the Lord promised to ease their burdens, while leaving them as captives of the wicked men.
This group of people fled for their lives many times because of their faith in Christ. When they cried out to the Lord, they were further persecuted. When they asked to be freed, they were given only moderate respite. If any group could understandably become bitter, angry, or sullen, it would be this one. But the scriptures record that “they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord” (Mosiah 24:15).
What does this have to do with not being offended? Perhaps the people who upset us do so only one time. Perhaps they continuously tease us or our youth. Perhaps they are consistently thoughtless. Whatever the case, once we lay our burdens upon the Lord, we have the option of either becoming angry or submitting cheerfully.
The Lord gives us trials of all types and sorts. Sometimes they are physical. Sometimes they are spiritual. Someone who offends or hurts us certainly counts as a trial. As we choose how we wish to handle the situation, we should remember Alma and his brethren.
Speaking of Alma’s people, do you remember what happened to them? They endured several blessings from the hand of God. They were ultimately freed from bondage in a rather miraculous way. They were joined by the children of those who persecuted them. Their story caused the Nephites to glorify God and to be filled with anguish for the spiritual state of the Lamanites. These are just the blessings we hear about for the entire group, before they merged with the rest of the Nephites, but I am sure their personal blessings and testimonies were strengthened by the trial.
Imagine what would have happened had the people chosen to be offended by the counsel of Alma. “What do you mean, the Lord won’t free us now, on our time schedule?” they might cry out. “Our women and children can’t take this, and you want us to be patient?! You think we should forgive?! You want us to keep slaving away like this?!” Suppose they stormed off and left the group of believers, never to return. They would have been denied so many blessings.
As we look at those in our lives who offend and upset us, let us try to be like the Mulekites. Let us trust in the Lord, and allow Him to heal our wounds and carry our burdens. Let us be quick to forgive and slow to anger. Let our testimonies grow stronger as we, too, grow more patient and cheerful.
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