HE KEEPS HIS PROMISES

In Mosiah we have been learning about King Limhi's people, and Alma's people being put into bondage by the Lamenites. Because of their sins the Lord was slow to hear their cry ( Mosiah 21:15 ). However, through continual effort that allowed their hearts to change- The Lord was able to help them as they had developed the obedience and faith that they needed.

After showing forth faith as they were not allowed to pray out loud and as they had task-masters watching over them all of the time- they prayed in their hearts, and the Lord did hear their thoughts ( Mosiah 24:12 ) .

In Mosiah 24:14 it reads, " And I will ease the burdens which are put upon shoulders, that even you can not feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage, and this will I do that ye may stand as a witness for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions. "

I too want to stand as a witness of my God, that He does visit me in my afflictions. And I like, this group of people, made mistakes, and those mistakes have consequences. As struggle with being married to a man whom is not LDS, and whom shows no interest, and even some resentment against my faith at times- there is not a day that goes by that I do not feel the hand of my Lord through out each day- in some way, through the spirit, a scripture coming to mind, and by His angels ( or people ) here upon this earth helping Him, He shows me that I am not alone.

He has made me cheerful and He is teaching me to be patient ( Mosiah 24:15 ). I know that He knows how sorry that I am for my mistakes, and as I read this scripture in Mosiah 24:13 as it says, " Lift up your head 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," my heart was filled with joy because I had never connected so closely to these people before...but I am reminded of when I took my daughter to Temple Square a couple years ago. I was so sad to not have an LDS husband to share in such a beautiful place and spirit with us- but the scripture kept coming to my head- a scripture that had little significance before that day- it said, " I thee Lord am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no such promise. "

I can hardly believe how beautiful it is that I have had almost the exact same words come into my head as these words that He told these people in the Book of Mormon.

I stand as a witness that He does help us all in our afflictions and I think that He wants me to learn from this yet again- That He does keep His promises- and somehow, if I keep my temple covenants- He will keep His covenants with me.

I am thankful to know that these people were taken out of bondage, or helped in their afflictions, and I am even more thankful to see the wonderful impact that their trials and experiences had on others, as we read in Mosiah 25:7, when King Mosiah's  people heard of their story it says, " For they knew not what to think; for when they beheld those that had been delivered out of bondage they were filled with exceedingly great joy. " and " They did raise their voices and give thanks to God." ( Mosiah 25: 10 ) .

I hope that you all can give thanks and see our Father in Heaven's merciful and loving hand in my life, because I know that He is and has been helping me in my afflictions- and I know that if I keep my covenants, He will mercifully give me the blessings that come with those covenants in some way.

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ- Amen.