Alma 2:30… Alma, being a man of God, being exercised with much faith, cried, saying: O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people.
Over and over the scripture teach us that the Lord will be our strength, during hard times and during amazing times. “The Lord did strength the hands of the Nephites..” (Alma 2:18) He will “preserve his people from being destroyed.” (Alma 2:21) Just like the Nephites whom faced a Lamanite army that was so numerous that they “could not be numbered”, “as it were the sands of the sea.” (Alma 2:35,27) Yet they turned to the Lord for help, for strength, “The Lord did hear their cries, and did strengthen them.” (Alma 2:28) We often feel that our problems, concerns, or temptations out number our abilities to endure in an un-calculable amount. This is a hopeless-daunting task, until we realize we are not alone, but can be lifted up and aided in the most glorious way. Though we still have to fight our battles, they will become possible through God’s matchless power, and our “steadfast and immovable” faith and patience.
Alma 1:25 Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them.
When we allow the Lord to do His part, not only are we strengthened but miraculously we are able to be an “instrument in the hands of God.”, (Alma 1:8) “They did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.” (Alma 1:30) We are able to work together and strengthen one another, “that every man might bear his part.” (Mosiah 29:34) “The priest, not esteeming himself above his hearers, for the preacher was no better than the hearer, neither was the teacher any better than the learner; and thus they were all equal, and they did all labor, every man according to his strength.” (Alma 1:26) It’s beautiful because we are not asked to be the judges just to love each other and to help one another. “The judgments of God are always just.” (Mosiah 29:12)
As believers our responsibility is great and incredible, because we set the example for others to follow, and if we don’t, we become “a great stumbling-block to those who did not belong to the church.” (Alma 4:10) it is crucial that we stand firm on our pure testimonies, “preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty… bearing down in pure testimony,” (Alma 4:19) to help those be “awakened to a remembrance of their duty.” We must stand out and be different, “might be distinguished from the seed of their brethren, that thereby the Lord God might preserve his people, that they might not mix and believe in incorrect traditions which would prove their destruction.” (Alma 3:8) Free from all prejudices, “not any man, belonging to the church, arose and persecute those that did not belong to the church.” (Alma 1:21) This is all accomplished by living and loving the “words of God.” (Alma 1:7)
Stand out; be different from the world. You and I know that you are to be a light to the world. Therefore, the Lord needs you to look like, sound like, act like, and dress like a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Yes, you are living in the world, but you have very different standards from the world to help you avoid the stain of the world. – Russell M. Nelson (Hope of Israel 2018)
Through our desires to follow the Lord with steadfastness and immovable strength, we will be like Alma, walking “in the ways of the Lord.” and keeping “his commandments”, where we will find “continual peace,” even in turbulent times. (Mosiah 29:43) “Let us be wise and look forward to these things, and do that which will make for the peace of this people.” (Mosiah 29:10) we can put our put our trust in the “all-wise Creator”, “he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him.” (Mosiah 29:19,20)
Written by Sherri Jorgensen
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