In a previous post, I discussed that even though life can be painful and difficult at times, we have much to
be grateful for. If we will pause and count our blessings, we will see
1) that our blessings are not random or sporadic, but are channeled to
guide us in the path the Lord wants us to go; and 2) the greatest source of
happiness and joy come from serving others, from being an answer to someone's
prayers, from participating in the Lord's work. And this is one of the most
overlooked blessings of all.
In my most recent post, I discussed how these principles were illustrated and applied in Ammon's life. In this entry, I will discuss how these same principles were applied by Alma during a difficult time in his life, as taught in Alma 29.
Just for a quick review, President Monson said in October 2009 conference: "I testify that much of [life's] joy comes as we recognize that we can communicate with our Heavenly Father through prayer and that those prayers will be heard and answered…" Alma realizes this same truth: knowing that God hears and answers our prayers brings joy.
This is how these principles were manifested in Alma's life:
Alma saw the awfulness of living in a wicked world. Tens of thousands of souls have just been slain in defense of Ammon's converts. Alma knows that, with righteousness, life could be so much better. He says:
I wish that "I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! I would declare unto every soul repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth."
Again, he has just experienced sorrow because of wickedness (manifested in an awful battle), so now he naturally desires "that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth."
But he knows this is not meant to be, so he steps back and reviews the past. He inventories his life and looks for the blessings. He continues:
"Why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?" 'This is where true happiness lies, in the path of duty, in doing the work God wants me to do.' "I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. And this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy."
Again, as Alma reflects, he realizes that he has been allowed to participate in God's work; he has made an eternally impactful difference in people's lives. This is his greatest glory and joy.
"And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy."
But now Alma traces his blessings farther upstream. He took the time to count the blessing of being able to convert others, so now he remembers his own conversion:
"Then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me."
Alma sees that the Lord has heard and answered his prayers. And he realizes that "much of [life's] joy comes as we recognize that... [our] prayers will be heard and answered." Alma also sees the merciful arm of God revealed in his life, something he did not see before. He recognizes the hand of the Lord in His life, leading and guiding and directing aright. He sees his blessings as a river constantly leading him down the Lord's blessed path.
And now he continues to trace his blessings even farther upstream.
"Yea, and I also remember the captivity of my fathers; for I surely do know that the Lord did deliver them out of bondage, and by this did establish his church" 'by the hand of my father. And the Lord God of Israel did also deliver our earlier progenitors out of the hands of the Egyptians. Yea, and that same God did establish his church among them.'
'And so, because God delivered Israel, they were given the priesthood; and because of this, my father and his people were delivered; and because of this, my father was blessed with the priesthood; and because of this, I am called by a holy calling, to preach the word unto this people. And in this, the fact that I am able to participate in God's work, my joy is full.'
Alma sees where true joy comes from, and he sees how blessed he has been to be able to participate in God's work. This is the crux of the matter, and this is how the power of remembering your blessings is revealed.
But now Alma finds a source of even greater joy:
"I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy is more full because of the success of my brethren."
Our capacity for joy increases when we share joy with others. Group and family joy is greater than individual joy. Our capacity for joy increases when we get outside of ourselves.
It is joyful to know that our prayers are heard and answered, but it is more joyful to be the answer to someone else's prayer. It is joyful to know that God leads and directs us, but it is more joyful to know that we have helped God in leading and directing others.
Knowing that God hears and answers prayers brings joy. Knowing that God keeps His promises brings hope.
If we want to be able to tap into this same power of joy and happiness during times of difficulty, we must take the time to count our blessings. Then, and only then, will we be able to remember those amazing times when we were able to be an answer to someone else's prayer. We will then be able to take great, lasting, peaceful joy in this.
In my most recent post, I discussed how these principles were illustrated and applied in Ammon's life. In this entry, I will discuss how these same principles were applied by Alma during a difficult time in his life, as taught in Alma 29.
Just for a quick review, President Monson said in October 2009 conference: "I testify that much of [life's] joy comes as we recognize that we can communicate with our Heavenly Father through prayer and that those prayers will be heard and answered…" Alma realizes this same truth: knowing that God hears and answers our prayers brings joy.
This is how these principles were manifested in Alma's life:
Alma saw the awfulness of living in a wicked world. Tens of thousands of souls have just been slain in defense of Ammon's converts. Alma knows that, with righteousness, life could be so much better. He says:
I wish that "I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! I would declare unto every soul repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth."
Again, he has just experienced sorrow because of wickedness (manifested in an awful battle), so now he naturally desires "that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth."
But he knows this is not meant to be, so he steps back and reviews the past. He inventories his life and looks for the blessings. He continues:
"Why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?" 'This is where true happiness lies, in the path of duty, in doing the work God wants me to do.' "I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. And this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy."
Again, as Alma reflects, he realizes that he has been allowed to participate in God's work; he has made an eternally impactful difference in people's lives. This is his greatest glory and joy.
"And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy."
But now Alma traces his blessings farther upstream. He took the time to count the blessing of being able to convert others, so now he remembers his own conversion:
"Then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me."
Alma sees that the Lord has heard and answered his prayers. And he realizes that "much of [life's] joy comes as we recognize that... [our] prayers will be heard and answered." Alma also sees the merciful arm of God revealed in his life, something he did not see before. He recognizes the hand of the Lord in His life, leading and guiding and directing aright. He sees his blessings as a river constantly leading him down the Lord's blessed path.
And now he continues to trace his blessings even farther upstream.
"Yea, and I also remember the captivity of my fathers; for I surely do know that the Lord did deliver them out of bondage, and by this did establish his church" 'by the hand of my father. And the Lord God of Israel did also deliver our earlier progenitors out of the hands of the Egyptians. Yea, and that same God did establish his church among them.'
'And so, because God delivered Israel, they were given the priesthood; and because of this, my father and his people were delivered; and because of this, my father was blessed with the priesthood; and because of this, I am called by a holy calling, to preach the word unto this people. And in this, the fact that I am able to participate in God's work, my joy is full.'
Alma sees where true joy comes from, and he sees how blessed he has been to be able to participate in God's work. This is the crux of the matter, and this is how the power of remembering your blessings is revealed.
But now Alma finds a source of even greater joy:
"I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy is more full because of the success of my brethren."
Our capacity for joy increases when we share joy with others. Group and family joy is greater than individual joy. Our capacity for joy increases when we get outside of ourselves.
It is joyful to know that our prayers are heard and answered, but it is more joyful to be the answer to someone else's prayer. It is joyful to know that God leads and directs us, but it is more joyful to know that we have helped God in leading and directing others.
Knowing that God hears and answers prayers brings joy. Knowing that God keeps His promises brings hope.
If we want to be able to tap into this same power of joy and happiness during times of difficulty, we must take the time to count our blessings. Then, and only then, will we be able to remember those amazing times when we were able to be an answer to someone else's prayer. We will then be able to take great, lasting, peaceful joy in this.
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