HOW THE LORD WILL EASE OUR BURDENS PLACED ON US BY HARSH MASTERS

The Book of Mormon has a scenario for just about every single political situation that exists out there.

Here is one that will come in handy shortly, as we face an ever-increasingly tyrannical government:

He will strengthen and deliver us. At a certain point in Book of Mormon history, two groups of Nephites, Limhi’s people and Alma’s people, were taken captive by their enemies. Although both groups were living near each other and both faced similar circumstances, one group suffered more because they failed to seek the Lord’s help. By comparing both groups, we can see how the Lord will deliver those who desire His help.

Limhi’s people who relied on their own strength rather than turning to the Lord were attacked without warning and were placed in bondage. They were smitten “on their cheeks” by their enemies who “exercise[d] authority over them; and began to put heavy burdens upon their backs, and drive them as they would a dumb ass” (Mosiah 21:3). Despite the fact that they were surrounded on every side, they made three desperate attempts to escape by confronting the enemy. Each attempt resulted in great loss of life, which brought untold grief and mourning (see Mosiah 21:7–12). They were humbled “to the dust” and submitted themselves “to be smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according to the desires of their enemies” (Mosiah 21:13).

In desperation they cried “mightily to God” that He would deliver them. But “the Lord was slow to hear their cry because of their iniquities; nevertheless the Lord did hear their cries.” He softened the hearts of their enemies, and “they began to ease their burdens; yet the Lord did not see fit to deliver them out of bondage.” He did, however, allow them to “prosper by degrees” (Mosiah 21:14–16; emphasis added).

King Limhi’s people found a “land which was covered with dry bones; yea, a land which had been peopled and which had been destroyed” (Mosiah 21:26), which they mistakenly assumed was Zarahemla. They determined to escape. They paid extra tributes of wine to their captors, who became drunken; then they stole out “by night into the wilderness,” eventually finding safety with Mosiah’s people in the true land of Zarahemla (see Mosiah 21:6–13).

On the other hand, Alma’s people (though facing the same dire circumstances) had a different experience because they were trying to live righteously and they turned to the Lord for help and were blessed. They were “warned of the Lord” ahead of time that their enemies were coming (Mosiah 23:1). “The Lord did strengthen them” and led them to “a land, yea, even a very beautiful and pleasant land, a land of pure water” (Mosiah 23:2–4).

When they were about to be captured, “Alma went forth and stood among them, and exhorted them that they should not be frightened, but that they should remember the Lord their God and he would deliver them.

“Therefore they hushed their fears, and began to cry unto the Lord that he would soften the hearts of the Lamanites, that they would spare them, and their wives, and their children.

“And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the hearts of the Lamanites. And Alma and his brethren went forth and delivered themselves up into their hands” (Mosiah 23:27–29). Not a single life was lost.

They were mistreated, just as Limhi’s people had been, but Alma’s people “did pour out their hearts” to God. The voice of the Lord “came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort,” and they were told the Lord would “deliver them out of bondage” (Mosiah 24:12–13). God’s mercy was also extended to their immediate needs:

“And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do … that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

“… Yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

“And … so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.

“And he said unto Alma: Thou shalt go before this people, and I will go with thee and deliver this people out of bondage” (Mosiah 24:14–17; emphasis added).

The next morning, the Lord “caused a deep sleep to come upon the Lamanites, yea, and all their task-masters were in a profound sleep” (Mosiah 24:19). Alma’s people escaped into the wilderness where they “poured out their thanks to God because he had been merciful unto them, and eased their burdens, and had delivered them out of bondage; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it were the Lord their God” (Mosiah 24:21).

When their enemies tried to pursue them, the Lord said to Alma: “Haste thee and get thou and this people out of this land, … and I will stop the Lamanites in this valley that they come no further in pursuit of this people” (Mosiah 24:23).

With no loss of life, with great blessings to ease their burden, with help to escape bondage, and protection after they were free, the Lord “did deliver them, and he did show forth his mighty power unto them, and great were their rejoicings” (Mosiah 23:24).

Later, the prophet Mormon observed that “those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord were delivered at all times” (Alma 50:22; see also Mosiah 29:19–20).

The Savior knows all things. While He may not always remove the trials from our lives, His grace can bear us up against all the pressures surrounding us, regardless of the kinds of bondage we may find ourselves in (see Mosiah 7:33). He knows how to help us and how to lead and protect us, if we will but exercise faith in Him.