(Read and Follow the Directions)

Today I read in the Book of Mormon about when Alma meets his dear friends, the sons of Mosiah, after their 14-year mission to the Lamanites. I am amazed at all they accomplished during the time they served the Lamanite people. But it humbles me to read and remember all that they suffered, and the intense pain they must have felt — seeing people they had grown to deeply love — sacrifice even their lives in order to keep the new covenants they had made with God.

I have to wonder, am I as willing to risk my own comforts, let alone submit to abuse or even death, in order to honor my promises to God? Will I give up sleep? Will I give up “free time” in order to get enough sleep? Will I give up food that steals my self-control? Will I be a leader or a follower when the pressure is on?

Sigh. I can really bog myself down if I think too long about these “what-if” scenarios. I have to just remind myself to pray continually for wisdom and help, trust that Jesus stands between me and my biggest problems, and that he will help me know what to do in my moment of need, just as he did for Alma and his friends. Doing my best is enough.

Book of Mormon, Alma 17

2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God. 3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God. 4 And they had been teaching the word of God for the space of fourteen years among the Lamanites, having had much success in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, by the power of their words many were brought before the altar of God, to call on his name and confess their sins before him. 5 Now these are the circumstances which attended them in their journeyings, for they had many afflictions; they did suffer much, both in body and in mind, such as hunger, thirst and fatigue, and also much labor in the spirit.