Room Enough

Alma wished he could speak with the thunderous voice of the angel who had called him to repentance. (See Alma 29:1-2, Mosiah 27:11.) As he saw his friends, the sons of King Mosiah, return home from a fourteen year mission with thousands of converts, it would have been natural to compare their success with his own frustrating experiences. But he was able to rejoice in his friends’ service while appreciating the unique opportunities he had been given to serve:

I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

Alma 29:9

In July 1838, the Lord spoke to William Marks and Newell K. Whitney, two church leaders who were being instructed to relocate from Kirtland, Ohio to Far West, Missouri. Anticipating that they would find it difficult to leave their homes, the Lord emphasized that great opportunities awaited them:

Is there not room enough on the mountains of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and on the plains of Olaha Shinehah, or the land where Adam dwelt, that you should covet that which is but the drop, and neglect the more weighty matters?

Therefore, come up hither unto the land of my people, even Zion.

Doctrine and Covenants 117:8-9

It’s easy for me to focus on potential opportunities or even on opportunities I wish I had, to the detriment of the opportunities I actually do have. When I consider my life carefully, I see opportunities for service, for learning, and for building strong relationships with other people. There is unquestionably “room enough” in my life for happiness and fulfillment.

Today, I will focus on the contributions I can make within my current span of influence. I will avoid comparing myself with others, clinging to the opportunities of the past, or anticipating potential future opportunities. Instead, I will do and be my very best within my current circumstances.