That your burdens may be light. . .

Alma 33

Alma continues to teach. The people wanted to know how they could plant the seed of which he had been speaking. Alma expounds on this idea. They are pretty simple things:

How?

• Worship God
• Search the scriptures
• Pray

Where do I pray?

• In the wilderness
• My fields (or place of work)
• Homes
• Closet (or in private)
• Congregations

When?

• In ALL mine afflictions . . . “. . .for in thee God) is my joy;” Why? Because He “. . .has turned [his] judgments away from me, because of thy Son.”

Repeatedly Alma says if we've read the scriptures, we should understand this. “. . .how can ye disbelieve on the Son of God?” (v14) I believe this is why it is so important that we study the scriptures – so we will believe. It is safe to say that anyone who is struggling with his/her testimony is NOT studying the scriptures.

And what is the bottom line to this line of thinking? Alma's parting shot in this chapter is this: “. . .that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son.” (v23)

What is your burden? Anything that troubles your heart be it loneliness, addiction, disappointment, ANYTHING that troubles you. The Savior, Jesus Christ, has suffered so that we don't have to.  We can move on, free from the burden if we will reach out to the Savior and let Him take this burden.  Why is it so hard for some to believe this can really be?

Again, I would return to Alma's lesson on planting the seed. Just try it for yourself. If reading the scriptures cover to cover is a daunting task, then pick a subject that is of concern to you. Start in the Topical Guide or Bible Dictionary but start.  I thought to give examples, but I wouldn't know where to start. Pray that you might know where to start. If you are sincere in your desire to know, the Lord will give you promptings. Of this I have no doubt.

So, how does this chapter apply to me today? I find comfort – serious comfort in the fact that my burdens are lighter when I read the scriptures. I find great joy in reading my scriptures and pondering them as I read. I know the promises are true. For every promise that is made in them, there is a “cost” attached. I have proven sufficiently to myself that my burdens are lightened when I study the scriptures. None of us can afford to miss a day. This I know as I witness so many friends and loved ones who just didn't stay with it long enough to prove it for themselves.