Joy cometh in the morning!

Alma 28

And thus we see. . . .

Chapter 28 is a short chapter, but packed with food for thought. Or maybe it is because of the week I've had and the news I've received of several individuals in my personal world who have lost hold of the iron rod and are drifting away from the gospel of Jesus Christ that this had such an impact on me this morning as I read.

There is battle once again among the Lamanites and the Nephites. Tens of thousands of people have lost their lives. How do the Nephites bear this affliction? V6 answers this questions: “. . . a time of much fasting and prayer.”

And what are we taught in this chapter? The last two verses are chilling – especially if you have eyes to see the injured and fallen that surround us. V13 “And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression. . . .” V14 “And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing – sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life.”

There is a huge inequality between men in the world today. We are in the midst of a war against Satan for the souls of our brothers and sisters. What I notice the most is that those who embrace their covenants and live according to the commandments, although they will have trials, they will have peace and know the Lord is in charge and all that happens in this life will work for their good. Because of that mind set, it turns to their good. They are strengthened and become better people, better examples of righteousness, and the Lord blesses them. The climb can be difficult, but so worth it.

Conversely, without this focus, there is a tendency to become bitter, cynical, and as these tendencies choke and impede the progress of the individual, there is a tendency to withdraw from friends and family. It takes a very strong person to be around someone who is in this awful state and the downward spiral continues. The inequality is self fulfilled.

Bottom line: I can choose which path to take. Nobody is free from trials and sorrows. I can approach them with faith to fast and pray as did the Nephites, continuing to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; or we can become bitter, cynical and hateful, trusting in no one and especially not in our Savior's ability to make all things right. And what comes of the faith to continue laboring? “. . .joy because of the light of Christ unto life.” Aka, knowing there will be a better day. Joy cometh in the morning! (Psalms 30:5)