I was reading in Alma 31 this morning and came across verse 31. It reads, “O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people.” He prayed for strength and comfort in Christ because of the afflictions which would come upon him because of the iniquity of the people he would preach to. He knew great persecution would come but he knew who to turn to. The Lord knew what it felt like to preach the truth and then be persecuted and eventually killed for speaking the truth. As Alma explained, “he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities” (Alma 7:12). If history repeats itself, then as we go forth “speaking the truth in love,” (Ephesians 4:15) we will be rejected by the majority. If we want comfort and strength then we can turn to the Lord and He will give us those gifts. He promises He will not leave us comfortless. In fact, He will come to us. “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:18). As we continue on in faithfulness, keeping His commandments, He and the Father will love us, manifest Themselves unto us and make Their abode with us (John 14:21, 23). God loves us all but to feel of His love is the greatest motivator in the world. What could be more exquisite! What could fill your soul with as much joy then to feel the love of God and know He has approved of your life! Nephi said it beautifully, “the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things...the most joyous to the soul” (1 Nephi 11:22-23). Nothing else matters and so we lay down our lives in the cause of truth and the cause of our Redeemer, even Jesus Christ, seeking to elevate the people by sharing the words of eternal life and living a life and offering sacrifices in the similitude of our Savior that we may one day become like Him and live with Him (see Doctrine and Covenants 138:13).
