We all carry burdens. Some are visible; most are not. Some are relatively manageable; others are oppressive. Some we choose to take on, others attach themselves to us, sometimes imperceptibly.
The experiences of Alma’s and Limhi’s people teach us a lot about managing our burdens. Here are a few principles I’ve learned from their stories:
1. Burdens are lighter when we carry them together.
Alma taught his people that, when we are baptized, we promise “to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light” (Mosiah 18:8). Each of us has unique burdens, and each of us has unique capabilities. It stands to reason that our combined capabilities will lift our combined burdens more easily than if we each lift our burdens alone.
One important corollary: We can’t bear one another’s burdens if we aren’t willing to share our burdens. Keeping our problems to ourselves and refusing to accept help not only makes our lives more difficult but denies our brothers and sisters rewarding opportunities to serve.
2. Sometimes we need to accept our burdens gracefully.
Limhi’s people tried three times to free themselves from captivity. All three times, they were beaten badly. Finally, they “did humble themselves even to the dust, subjecting themselves to the yoke of bondage, submitting themselves to be smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according to the desires of their enemies” (Mosiah 21:13). They weren’t happy about it, but accepting their situation led them to pray with more humility, which over time unlocked the Lord’s blessings.
3. A burden can be a blessing.
When Alma’s people prayed to be delivered from bondage, the Lord didn’t grant that blessing immediately. But He did give them a different blessing: “I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders,” He said, “that even you cannot feel them upon your backs” (Mosiah 24:14). That sounds pretty miraculous. How did He fulfill this promise? It doesn’t sound like the burdens actually got any lighter. Instead, “the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease” (Mosiah 24:15).
Commenting on this event, Elder Gerrit W. Gong said, “We learn by experiences we would never choose. Sometimes bearing burdens with the Lord’s help can increase our capacity to bear those burdens” (“All Things for Our Good,” General Conference, April 2024).
Today, I will remember the lessons of Limhi’s and Alma’s people as I carry my burdens. I will share the load with others, helping with their burdens and letting them help with mine. I will accept the challenges God has given me and let them humble me. I will remember that carrying heavy things can strengthen me so that I am able to bear other burdens more easily.
Hi Paul. I appreciate the time you spend to opine which can give us thought and reflection, and revelation and inspiration. When I read again this time Alma’s teaching ““to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light” (Mosiah 18:8), I was impressed upon that he might have meant for us to “bear” or be patient and understanding, even Christ-like, with the challenges we all have, as you allude to, and if and as we all do, as a ward, branch, stake, region, and Zion People, or a People of Enoch, then the burden I have, whether self-inflicted or as a victim, becomes lighter, or manageable because our center of gravity, metaphorically, is Christ, the person. Thank you, Paul, for all you do. Goodnight.
Robert
Thanks for the comment, Robert. I agree that the word “bear” can refer to patience and acceptance, which adds a whole new dimension to our obligation to bear one another’s burdens. Thanks for sharing your insight!