That Your Burdens May Be Light

I really enjoyed this talk by Elder Clayton. One of the comments that stood out to me the most was,

"No matter the burdens we face in life as a consequence of natural conditions, the misconduct of others, or our own mistakes and shortcomings, we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father, who sent us to earth as part of His eternal plan for our growth and progress. Our unique individual experiences can help us prepare to return to Him. The adversity and afflictions that are ours, however difficult to bear, last, from heaven’s perspective, for 'but a small moment; and then, if [we] endure it well, God shall exalt [us] on high.' We must do everything we can to bear our burdens 'well' for however long our 'small moment' carrying them lasts."

He also mentioned the story about the people of Limhi, who were put under taskmasters and were forbidden to pray. In my study journal the other night I wrote down a pattern that I have notice while reading the standard works. It's one of those snowball-effect patterns where if you do "a", then "b" happens and if you do "c," "d" happens. Confused? So am I. Below is the pattern that i wrote out.

The 4-Step Deliverance Pattern
1. Stay Obedient (Mosiah 24: 9-10)
The people of Limhi were required to do a lot of hard things. However, they did not retaliate or react to their situation, they acted which leads us to step 2.

2. Keep Praying (Mosiah 24:10-12)
This principle has 2 parts. The first is that regardless of our circumstance or situation, whether we are burden free or "in the gall of bitterness and endless wo," we shouldn't get in the habit of only having true and sincere prayers when things are going wrong. We, like the people of Limhi must strive to "pour out our hearts to God" whenever we pray. The second part is coupled with the first. It is that we do not have to kneel down and vocally pray to the Lord for him to hear us. In this story it says "He did know the thoughts of their hearts."

It reminds me of the PPI Elder Christopherson had with President Packer. He shared this in the Irvine 1st Ward combined High Priest / Elders Quorum lesson. President Packer asked Elder Christopherson how his prayers were going. Taken back by the agenda behind this question, Elder Christopherson answered to the best of his ability. After answering, President Packer then asked him a soul searching and life changing question. A question that I pose to each of us. "How much time do you let pass in between your prayers?"

3. Faith, Works & Patience (Mosiah 24:13-17)
Eventually the Lord came and not only comforted them, but did deliver them out of their trials. I believe that deliverance came because they kept their composer, they continued to pray, continued to listen, and continued to submit themselves (cheerfully) to the will of the Lord, even though it was a bitter cup to drink. As it was with them, so it will be for us... he will provide a route for our escape from whatever bondage we may be under.

4. Gratitude In The Valleys of Life (Mosiah 24: 21-22)
Dad shared a quote with me once and it went something like this. "Whenever you see a man at the top of a majestic peak, remember that he wasn't just placed there."

We won't always be soaking up the rays on the Mountain Tops of life. Essentially, to reach those majestic peaks of life, we must learn and grow through the valleys of pain, heartache, and humility. The people of Limhi taught me to "pour out my thanks to God because he has been merciful unto [me], and eased [my] burdens"

"Through it all, the Savior offers us sustaining strength and support, and in His own time and way, He offers deliverance." - Elder Clayton

-Zach