The Living Bread

Life is full of choices. How does one make decisions with confidence?

There is an experience in the Book of Mormon when Limhi’s people were in bondage and had their fill of Lamanite abuses. They went against the Lamanites in battle three times but were defeated. Heavy burdens were laid upon them. Finally the people of Limhi humbled themselves and cried mightily unto the Lord that He would deliver them. The Lamanites began to ease their burdens; yet the Lord did not see fit to deliver them immediately out of bondage because of their iniquities.

The second story is similar in many respects but also different in significant ways. The Lamanites began to impose their will on the people of Alma and placed heavy burdens on them to bear. However, the people of Alma were delivered from the hands of the Lamanites and safely made their way back to be united with the people of Zarahemla.

What was the difference between the people of Alma and the people of King Limhi? Obviously, there were several differences: the people of Alma were peaceful and more righteous; they had already been baptized and entered into a covenant with the Lord; they humbled themselves before the Lord even before their tribulations started. The Lord delivered them in a miraculous way from the hand which kept them in bondage. And the Lord has promised us this same blessing. Mosiah 24:13,14

I love the scripture about the woman at the Jacob's well. (read this scripture John 4:6-14 now, then continue)

The woman from Samaria couldn't understand why Jesus asked her to draw water since Jesus was a Jew, and Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus' answer is classic.

"If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water."

But the woman didn't understand and politely responded that he had nothing to draw water from the deep well.

13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

The Lord can lighten our burdens and provide deliverance from our bondage, whatever it be. Just like the people of Alma, the Lord can lift our burdens as we submit to His will and believe in Him.

15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; 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. Mosiah 25:15

So let's return to the question that started this discussion: How does one make decisions with confidence?

45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. Doctrine and Covenants 121:45

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1 Corinthians 13:13



“He Hath Filled the Hungry with Good Things” (read, listen, or watch. You'll be glad you did.)

http://bcove.me/64th4wx8