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"I, the Lord God, Do Visit My People in their Afflictions," Mosiah 24:8-15

Mosiah 24:8-15

This group of verses deals with the captivity of the people of Alma under the rule of Amulon in the land of Helam. For context, Alma and Amulon at one point in history where fellow high priest under the wicked reign of King Noah. Alma repented of his wickedness, fled from the king, and eventually moved on with a group of believers to establish the land of Helam where they were found presently. Amulon, on the other hand, narrowly escaped his own death by running deeper into the wilderness when King Noah was burned at the stake. He and the remainder of those wicked priests went on to kidnap a group of Lamanite daughters, causing war between the Lamanites and the people of Limhi (King Noah's righteous son), and now in a cruel twist of events, Amulon has won favor with the Lamanites so that upon discovering the land of Helam, Amulon is made to rule over the people of Alma.

Bondage would have been hard enough under the Lamanites, but to have their appointed ruler hold a personal grudge against them for their desires to follow God, this became a difficult circumstance for the righteous. One that would cause some of lesser faith to simply say "where is your god now? "

However, so great was the faith of the people of Alma that the Lord was able to use them for a great and noble witness that "I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions." (vs. 14)

When faced with adversity, the people of Alma turned to their God in prayer. Because of this, they received this direction from the Lord: "Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage." (vs. 13) Covenants bring blessings of peace and assurance during times of adversity.

There is a second part to this communication with the people of Alma for in the meantime. "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;" (vs. 14) It seems to be in the designs and purposes of God, that sometimes he calls upon his children to endure hardship, not entirely for their own sakes, but so that they can be used to stand as witnesses before men, that God indeed is with his people who become so by covenant.

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