Burden-the very word indicates heaviness and dread. And while we may know intellectually that burdens provide the resistance that make us stronger, few of us would choose to carry them if we could avoid it. Perhaps, however, our burdens become blessings depending on how and with whom we carry them.
The people of Alma, who were brought into bondage by the Lamanites learned this firsthand. The burdens placed upon them were heavy and ‘great were there afflictions.’ They were forbidden to cry aloud to God for strength and relief, but continued to look to Him in their minds and hearts for succor, knowing He was its only source. He blessed them with strength to bear what must be borne until deliverance came. That strength was itself a blessing, but the Lord provided this further benefit to them: “this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.” (Mosiah 24:14 emphasis added) In other words, their burden and sacrifice allowed them to gain increased faith and knowledge of the reality of the Lord’s power and grace; a certainty of His mercy and compassion and His willingness to be with us in our lowest places. They then would be able to share that witness (and to call upon it themselves) as a blessing to others in their times of distress. Without the burden, how could that surety come?
That calls to mind the often quoted handcart pioneer who, in response to criticism he heard of church leaders (and by extension, the Lord) for allowing those Saints to suffer by urging them across the plains under those conditions, said, “the price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay…” (Francis Webster, in William R. Palmer, “Pioneers of Southern Utah,” The Instructor, vol. 79, no. 5, p. 218) He implied that the burden and sacrifice they made allowed them to know God in a way they didn’t before–and that the price was not too high to pay for such knowledge.
Sister Christofferson, in a broadcast to Young Adults (January 12, 2020) shared a story that also illustrates this point. She and Elder Christofferson were young, poor students when their ward was asked to contribute to a building fund to renovate their chapel. Their ward had many students in similar situations, and some chose not to contribute since they had little to spare and would be leaving the ward after graduation shortly, so would not benefit personally from the renovations. With faith, the Christoffersons decided to donate, not knowing how their budget would allow the expense. Shortly thereafter, their car was rear-ended by a man who wanted to pay for the minor damage without involving insurance companies. He promptly paid an amount almost equal to the donation they made to the building fund, which replenished their finances sufficient to make it to the end of the school year. Those who chose not to pay likely had valid reasons, and it may have been natural to think similarly. Those who chose to act in faith and obedience (to accept the sacrifice and the burden), however, were given increased faith and knowledge that the Lord cares for us in our need. How else is that knowledge to come if not by our shouldering burdens in faith, seeking the Lord’s help and power and strength to lift and carry with us?
Burdens and sacrifice bring opportunities for blessings that may not be able to come any other way. Like Alma’s people, those burdens can be lightened and made ‘easy’ when we “submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.” (Mosiah 24:15) As we seek to go through such experiences with the Lord, rather than on our own, we will gain greater faith in Him and a knowledge of what He can and will do for us and become acquainted with Him more fully.
