12 Now Amulek said unto Alma: Behold, perhaps they will burn us also.
13 And Alma said: Be it according to the will of the Lord. But, behold, our work is not finished; therefore they burn us not.
We all know that we have limited control over our lives. King Benjamin taught his people that God preserves us from day to day by lending us breath (Mosiah 2:21). But even though we may be aware of how vulnerable we are, we seem to have a need to maintain an illusion of control over our lives.
As Mormon describes the horrific situation Alma and Amulek were in–forced to watch as innocent women and children were murdered, he relates a brief conversation between them. “Will we also be burned to death?” asks Amulek. Alma’s response illustrates his faith and his willingness to submit to God: “Be it according to the will of the Lord. But, behold, our work is not finished; therefore they burn us not.”
Today, I will remember that God really is in charge. I will strive to follow Alma’s example and trust that Heavenly Father will provide me with the experiences I need. I will also trust that I am where I am for a reason, and that Heavenly Father has important work for me to do here and now.
Great passage, one we discussed recently. I love how calm Alma appears to be during these potentially horrific experience. I think that calm comes from faith in God, but also confirmation and direction from the Holy Ghost of his purpose and work. While we are most certainly not in charge, we can be calm by trusting in God and also through manifestations of the Spirit of what we are to do.