Week 15: Busy, busy, busy

Dear Family and Friends,

This week we had a Baptism, a Funeral, and two exchanges in my area with both the Eagle River sisters and the Wasilla sisters.  Each one of them we headed up while also trying to avoid getting sick- while the whole mission is getting sick (exaggerating !!).

Regardless of the busy week, we have been able to see many miracles, both big and small.  With the Baptism, it went smoothly; and we even waited for three hours for the font to fill up, but it was a very beautiful experience to witness one so young wanting this so much, and knowing he is a son of God.  With the funeral (of the sweet older sister we always visited), the spirit let me know that there is life after death, and this is not a goodbye forever.  Her life touched so many as well as mine so deep that I can't forget it.  One of the things she said when she was at the Hospital was "You know, I'm not going to let this get me down.  I am going to accept whatever God has planned for me."  Of her- this quote explains perfectly: "Game time: 60 minutes. Playing time: 60 minutes. No excuses, no Alibis, no regrets."  I know that she has not stopped, even though her spirit and body are separated. She is still the Beautiful Daughter of God I remember and she will always be, and I hope to meet her again someday.

God micromanages details, or in other words, he takes care of us--often the things that are important to us become important to him, simply because he loves us so much. We are nothing in comparison to God, but we are everything to him. This is a paradox we often come across, not feeling worth the time or energy, not thinking that our own prayers or troubles can be answered or resolved, but it is not true.  He comes to us.  And he knows our troubles because he comes to us, not in perfection, but as the wounded Lord, one who knows exactly what we are going through and more--the only one who knows, and in this we can take comfort that because he knows our troubles, we can be made whole and our details can be worked out, not in our own expected way, but in a much more glorious way, the Lord's way.

We had Nerf Guns for the last district meeting.   By the way-- it was awesome!   Also, Memorial Day on P-day doesn't work too well :) we couldn't email, vacuum the car, or get things done we wanted, so it was the laziest day I have had on the mission (still way productive- since our normal days are like, 16, 17 hour days or something like that)

It is amazing how the spirit directs us to places and the people we need to see and things we need to accomplish.  Acting as the Lord's hands by following these promptings, has brought us to many people in need this week.  No matter what we have planned, God always has something better.

Well, this is the last week with Sister Halatokoua.  Not too excited about that happening, but she will go and do great things wherever she goes.

Hope you have a great week! Love you all!

Love,

Sister Wuehler

Scripture:

Mormon Messages: "My New Life" on LDS.org, Alma 37: 6-7, 16, 37

6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.

16 But if ye keep the commandments of God, and do with these things which are sacred according to that which the Lord doth command you, (for you must appeal unto the Lord for all things whatsoever ye must do with them) behold, no power of earth or hell can take them from you, for God is powerful to the fulfilling of all his words.

37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

ism: "You know what this is, and it is what it is, so do what you do"

 

Week 14: Stake Conference

Dear Family and Friends,



My CTR ring with the Alaskan Flag in the middle



Anchorage from Woronzoff Point in our area--Lucky Us!!



A mountain that looks like a sleeping lady!



A moose strolling into the Providence Alaska Medical Center.



This week was a bit slow, but still alot going on.  We built marshmallow towers in district meeting.

I learned through the example of a man who is struggling in many ways.  He has wanted us to come by for some time now, and we were finally able to make contact.  As we visited him, I was humbled to hear his testimony, through a broken body, of just how much he loved his Savior.  His spirit touched my heart in a way that I will remember forever.  There is absolutely no trial that cannot be overcome when we have him by our side and every trial is absolutely necessary for us to grow.  John 17:3 says that eternal life is to know God and Jesus Christ.   I know that as we know them, we can know ourselves.  Too often we think of only what is going on right now, our shortcomings, our friends' shortcomings, etc.; but when we realize that God sees us as what we can be, not as what we are, we can see that he loves us enough to help us grow.  He sees us in terms of forever--beyond this life, and he has provided a way for us to be happy.   

Since we as missionaries are out here finding, teaching, helping, and inviting, our purpose is not just to baptize, but it is to help others to gain access to the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which is made available to everyone.  What we look toward is the temple--because all things unfair in this life are made fair as we can gain and strive to attain the blessings of the temple, which are for eternity.  "Seek ye not for riches, but seek ye for the kingdom of God."  This scripture in Second Nephi goes on to remind that as we continue, we will want to help others around us, because we understand our nature, we understand that as we serve each other, we are also taking care of the needs of each other, and all can be taken care of.

 The story of Christ walking on the water has been a huge part of the week.  Matthew 14 is a big example of many of us, and even many of those we meet with.

     27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good ^acheer; it is I; be not afraid.

     28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
     29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
     30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was ^aafraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
     31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little ^afaith, wherefore didst thou ^bdoubt?

As Simon Peter saw his Lord, he was overcome with happiness and desired to join him on the water. As he went, it was that faith in Christ, nothing doubting, that held him up; however, as he walked, he began to doubt what he once knew--that God would hold him up.  He started to sink.  Just like us, sometimes we start to sink and doubt what we once knew.  God has not changed, it was always us. Still his hand is stretched out (as he constantly encourages in the Isaiah chapters of the Book of Mormon and outside of it) and he comes to us, and he carries us. Those are the times he is closest to us because he is carrying us; however, how often do we attribute this to ourselves or to some other source?  We cannot recognize him unless we look for his hand in our life.

The woman in her 90's I have visited often passed away this last week.  I am so grateful for her example, and that she did not have to suffer too much; and of anything that is what I am the most grateful for, along with her example which will stay with me always.

Stake Conference was wonderful!  We had two members of the Seventy teach us--Elder Call and Elder Duncan. President Beesley shared his insight of how the Atonement was complex, and even though we don't understand it or why it even works, God has made it so simple to access, even with a few simple steps, which are the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

By the way-- Sister Beesley is doing a new thing-- "Music and the Waking Word" so that it is easier to wake up in the morning :)

Love you All!

Love,

Sister Wuehler

Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 9:8-9

8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.

9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.

isms:

1) a "sourdough" is someone in Alaska who has been here forever, and a "cheechako" is someone who has never been through an Alaskan winter- -that's me!!

2) "What drives the Priesthood"  --  "Relief Society!"

Week 13: "Oh Goodness" as in "Oh Goodness, I Don't Know What to Title This"

Dear Family and Friends,

Exchanges with Sister Williams in Eagle River was great. It is so gorgeous up there. Anchorage is the city of Alaska, so pretty much everywhere else you go is just so beautiful with trees and out in the Bush. It was interesting to be out of the city, but it was so gorgeous out there.

We had interviews this week with President Beesley and this is something he shared with me then and also in my weekly (It was a part of training this week):

"Brother Donaldson explained that obedience is critical to our success. Waking up on time is observing the LAW OF OBEDIENCE; that exercising and preparing for the day is observing the LAW OF SACRIFICE.  Personal Study is obedience to the LAW OF THE GOSPEL; Companion Study - learning how to deal with others is living the LAW OF CHASTITY; and finally, we are prepared to go forth and teach fulfilling the LAW OF CONSECRATION."

This week for district meeting we challenged our district leader to use bubbles in his lesson.  Surely enough, he accepted the challenge, and we talked about how to teach using object lessons, and we also drew out General Conference talks in chalk at the park.  It was so great. 

"A Time to Prepare" Talk Chalk Drawings (from October 2011 General Conference)

So we found out that Sister H is going home for sure in 2 1/2 weeks-- there was a confusion with her return date at the beginning of her mission, so now we know it is that soon.  Also before this last friday I had no idea what a pinewood derby was-- for some reason we were still asked to be the judges.  And it is funny how excited and worked up over it some get--but it was pretty fun.  (note from Mom--it's the Dads who get so worked up!!)

We bring a girl with us to lessons, who just submitted her papers.  She is just so excited to get her call, and it makes me remember how I was before and how grateful I was for the Sisters in my ward who answered my questions and took me with them to lessons.  Although she lives a little while away in South Anchorage, we make it a point to bring her with us for a day in the week.  I am so grateful for her.

We taught a woman this week who is a friend of someone we visit regularly.  She was talking about the spirit and how she has felt it and when she has recognized it in her life.  She said that for her it came at different times, but she always second guessed it.  We told her to write down her impressions of the spirit.  The spirit is not something that is meant to be recognizable for the eyes of the world--it is the way that Heavenly Father speaks to us through the Holy Ghost, and these promptings are to be remembered.   We can all seek his promptings in our life through living worthy of it and seeking after it.  We made it just in time to see one of our elderly women whose health is failing fast as she fell out of her chair.  We caught her, and it made me realize how when we are listening to those promptings we receive, we can be directed to those in need.

Whenever I am having a hard time focusing on why I am here I remember this (and for each of us there comes this question):  Do I love God more than I love myself?  In turn this question turns into: Do I love those I serve more than I love myself?  In Matthew 25:40 Christ says that inasmuch as we have done it unto the least of these.. "ye have done it unto me".   In this it is so important to remember that all that we have is given of him down to our very breath, which is both the beginning and end of this life.  Mosiah 2:21 says, "I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants."  With this I remember why I am here.  I am lended my breath day by day because my Heavenly Father Loves me--and with that principle of lending, we have to give something back.  We can never fully return this favor, but we can do all we can to serve his, who are his children.

Love you all and it was so great to talk to those i did on mothers day! Have a great week!

Love,

Sister Wuehler

Scripture: John 17:3 and D&C 133:59   "And by the weak things of the earth the Lord shall thresh the nations by the power of his Spirit."

ism: "Be grateful your parents aren't bears. Bears sometimes eat their young. Anything's better than that" -Bishop Smith

Week 12: Hiked Flat Top, Got a Flat Tire

Dear Family and Friends,



Thank you for all your letters! They are always the highlight of my day!

Speaking of letters, my plans of letter writing last week got changed, as we decided that to go hiking at Flat Top (around South Anchorage).  There was still a ton of snow everywhere, so alot of the climbing was sliding, which would be the reason why Sister Halatokoua and I decided not to go to the top because by the end of the hike it is about an 75-80 degree climb to the top.  If you fall, you fall all the way (that was my drawback).  Sister H. and I made it 2/3 of the way or more and went back the way we came (ridiculously slippery), but the Elders pretty much ran up the mountain so they could slide down the top of it... wish I could have made it all the way, but the view of Anchorage was amazing the whole way!


Tuesday, we had a flat tire.  I wish I could say that we changed it, but I could see some catastrophe happening on the road if we had done so and messed up, so we called the Elders to help. Wednesday, we sat in the Doctors office. I always knew that doctors offices made you wait but this time felt like we were there for hours. I think it is because I am so used to being on a schedule where we have to be out of places within the hour. The worst thing about it was that the T.V. was playing a show I liked.  Boo. I spent the whole time looking away and playing with the silly putty that was sent to me just to keep my mind off of it. (Good for her!!!)  Turns out that silly putty is very useful because I let a young boy play with it-- he was having an asthma attack and had to wait two hours! Poor thing, but he liked the silly putty.



I am going on an Exchange with Sister Williams to Eagle River (just for tomorrrow), and Sister Peterson will be here in my place.  I'm excited to see the BeachLake area and love the drive up there- it is countryside all the way there.



A scripture that has stuck out when we are meeting with others throughout this week is 2 Nephi 25:23 which reads,

"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."

As I read this on the pages of the Book of Mormon, I recognize that this is split in half from one page to the next. Often the verse is split into the part that says that it is by grace we are saved after all we can do, however, without his grace we can do nothing-- the all we can do comes earlier in the verse: "To believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God", but what is it to be reconciled? When a member looked it up, the dictionary said it was "to become friendly with" so it is to make one in purpose, to come closer to God and his will for us. So to believe is just the beginning, but to be reconciled is an action word; it means we need to use his Gospel, or else it cannot be sufficient for us.

I am grateful for these people here in Alaska who desire to come closer to Christ, for it is only through him that we can find peace, and happiness in this life and in the next. I am grateful for my Savior, for the opportunity to fast this week, and for the sacrifices which make it possible for each and every one of us to return to our Father in Heaven one day.

 I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love,

Sister Wuehler

Scripture: Isaiah 58:5-9

"Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am...."

ism: "You're talking theoretical, I'm talking Reality."

 

Week 11

Dear Family and Friends,

Highlights of the last week:

• WE CLEANED THE CAR. Finally!!!! We went to this place called the monster wash which was awesome.
• We had transfers: it is so weird being out of the house past curfew as a missionaries, but we picked up the Fairbanks sisters to stay at our place and they all got in past 10.  Anchorage is gorgeous at night and we are getting so much more light than when I first came out, especially late at night.
• With all the craziness of transfers, I have decided that I love seeing everone, but hate how hectic it is; but everyone does great with keeping it as calm as we can.
• I am beginning to teach myself to play the Ukulele!!!  Love it already.
• New district--the mission was shaken up and we are now the only sisters in Anchorage (North and South)

(This is) Something I have found precious to me this last week came while we were teaching a lesson.  We spoke of prayer, and why we do it.  I could feel the spirit working through this person in a different way than I normally had; however, the thing that hit me happened when someone else walked in the house, pretty upset.   This lesson could take a turn, however, the spirit was working through this other person to help them to calm down in the other room. We ended the lesson after a bit, and as we left my companion shared with me that she said a prayer that there would be less contention, or that her heart would be softened so that the spirit could still be in the room.  We saw that happening. We had no control over it; however, the spirit worked in this family for the better. Remember to always recognize the concerns of those around you, even though they may not seem so obvious.  This is why discerning through the spirit is so important: We cannot rely on our own selves to know what we need to do, we need the the direction of the Holy Ghost, who can speak truth to our hearts if we will listen and follow through.  We are spiritual beings in a physical world, and we need to listen to the Holy Ghost or we cannot recognize it over our own desires and frustrations.

This week we also went and saw a woman who I have spoken of before (I believe). She has cancer, is in her nineties, and is failing fast. We sang "I Am a Child of God" to her with the ukulele; and as we did, her face lit up and she was tapping her toes. She continues to thank her Heavenly Father that her family does not have to see her in pain and I am so grateful for her positive example, because she lifts me every day.  Remember to always appreciate your loved ones- you may not always have them with you.

Love you all!

Sister Wuehler

Scripture: 2 Nephi 28:30
"For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have."

Ism: "Don't be afraid to leave the room filled with light"


 

Week 10: Life is a Roller Coaster

Dear Family and Friends,

So, we got our transfer calls this week and guess what. . . We are staying in Turnagain!!!   Thank goodness, because I am not ready to leave yet.  Hope you enjoy the hike photos (below)-- Alaska really is such an amazing place, especially when huge moose randomly run across the streets, but it probably doesn't happen as often as you think it may.

Anchorage is warming up so fast. I can't believe the snow was taller than I am when I got in and now I am seeing grass. There were multiple times when I turned to my companion this week and said "It's hot, what is it, like 70 degrees?!", she replied always with, "no it's only 38 degrees"...Crazy how used to the weather you get.

So Sister H. and I did double teaching in church yesterday:  Gospel Principles and Relief Society--one with only an overnight notice and the other with a couple hours notice--but all turned out well.

Sister Halatokoua has been practicing the Ukelele as well, so we may be doing some recording with Sister Beesley (Mission President's wife) sometime soon singing with the Uke; we will let you know.  Specific songs that are our favorites right now are "Give Said the Little Stream", "Love is
Spoken Here", and "I Am a Child of God".  Totally going to rat out my companion on this, but "Give Said the Little Stream" started out for her in a hick accent... it won't continue, but it gave (us) a good laugh.

Half the time we come home and are totally spent.  There is no energy left.   It make me appreciate the blanket that we made before I left even better. (Her sister Melanie made a quilt designed by Julie--it turned out so great!) By the way, our members we live with are so cute; they are beginning a breakfast tradition on Monday mornings.  This morning was Eggs Benedict--I had never had it before, but now I want to learn--so good!  

It hasn't been the easiest week, but it has been a week of miracles, not huge obvious happenings, but huge for all of us personally.  I think of Dad's letter he shared with me of the difficult lonely times in his mission, but he knew that the Lord would help him.  Sometimes we have to go through things like this before we can recognize things which are greater.  We had the opportunity to go to the temple this week, and I am so grateful for the peace it has given me and for the peace it always gives me; it is there where I can feel of my Heavenly Fathers love and mercy towards me.

Prayer has been a major focus for the week.  There is a story my companion says all the time about an "Elder Tom" and "Elder Dave", who live in Africa with many animals, and when they are transfered they walk to the next place.  She goes on to say that there was a lion, and they didn't want him to eat them, so they both knelt to pray.  As the lion got closer, one of the Elders disappeared, and so the other Elder started to pray even harder and began to hear this voice, saying, "Run, Elder Tom, the lion is going to eat you!"  As he continues, he hears it, but does not recognize what or who it is, and the lion is getting closer.   Soon the lion is there and he realizes that Elder Tom climbed the tree. Basically the point is that if we don't want to get eaten by a lion, we must pray and then go climb the tree. Something with prayer is to pray specifically for what is needed because with a specific prayer, Heavenly Father can give us a specific answer, and we can be ready to listen to it.

Sometimes we expect blessings to be sunshine and unicorns, but usually it is the most difficult things that we can recognize the greatest blessings from.   I would like to share the words and testimony of President Gordon B. Hinckley when he spoke at Sister Hinckley's funeral years ago that lifted me this week.

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is.  It all works out.   Don't Worry.  I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out.  Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us.  He will not forsake us. If we put our trust in Him, if we live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers." 

To any and all who feel that they cannot move any farther, to those who are at their limits, put your trust in the Lord who created you and know that there is hope and purpose, and that he will not give you anything that you cannot handle.  Seek always to live by his teachings and you can find joy, and "consider on the blessed and happy state" of those who follow the teachings of God.  That is how we can be happy.  As we follow, without delay and without wavering, he can truly help us know that where we are and who we are striving to become is where he would have us be and that we can go forward with faith.  I know that because the Lord moves mountains in me,; the trials that I have become small stumbling blocks from which I can learn to pick myself up and continuously move forward.  I am blessed because of those experiences, and it helps me to understand others as they are having their own difficult times.  I have seen the Lord working through others to fulfill his purposes, and I know that he will always continue to do so.   Something I realize of this is that God can do anything he wishes, but sometimes he asks us to do it.

Someone we meet with in our ward was asked to give a talk this last week and so we were enouraging her, but she continued to be nervous about sharing something that was so close to her heart.  Sunday came around, and I was so excited for her, and while she was up there, (she froze).  She had the courage to get up there and to share what she had in the first place, and this was an act of Faith.  The person who got up to help her continue was acting as the hands in her life.  I saw the way the Atonement worked in her life, specifically on that day when she could go no further, and unexpectedly, someone who knew how much the Lord loved this woman, followed a prompting to get up and help her to continue.

When we can go no further, that is when miracles happen.  There is joy in the journey.  I love you all and I am grateful for the love and support you give me and for the prayers offered.

Love,

Sister Wuehler



Scripture: 1 Nephi 21:15-16
For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel.  Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

Ism: "When you pray until it feels like it's too much, that is actually when it is finally enough."

Pictures from the hike on "P" day last week -- they do have some recreation time on Mondays. . . and Julie is true to self--she loves to take 'silly' and fun photos!

Week 9: "Hatch, Match, and a Dispatch"

Dear Family and Friends,

This week I made an oreo castle. We helped set up for a wedding of a couple in our ward and they gave us four costco sized boxes to make one on their dessert table-- BEST assignment ever!

By the way I am developing a dislike of candy because, as you can see in one of the photos, we have a TON of it.  Not that I don't like it, but I would definitely be okay if it disappeared for a short while. It has also been a sick week for Sister H.   Poor thing, but everything is on the up now, so that is okay.

  

This week we had a lesson with one of our investigators who does not understand why she should have any reason to go to church. She said she goes for special occasions (a.k.a. a hatch [birth], a match [marriage], or a dispatch [funeral]), but I am beginning to see the impact that the continual opportunity for church has made and will continue to make in my life. It gives me the opportunity to renew my baptismal covenants as I take the sacrament; and with that, to become clean and forgiven as I have repented of my own misdoings each week.  The opportunity to serve and to be actively involved and to share is a blessing that is so unique that I am grateful for.   As I have the opportunity to serve the people around me, I am able to give of the gifts that God has given me, and through this, I am able to strengthen them. 

There is no one who is exempt from these blessings as they seek them and see the happiness they can bring.  In going to church, I am able to remember who gives me all that I have-- My Savior, who has given so much so that we might have hope, and with that hope, I begin to understand how much he loves us.  This Good news is for all. That is why I go. . .  because he has asked me, and because I know that it is the way that I can come to understand him.  As I see the examples around me, I have seen God's love, because I have been a recipient. Whether it has been from my mother, father, family, friends, or from those who I don't know as well, I have seen it.  Never forget the power of a positive mind, that is how the Savior would have us be. We have been given much more than we can ever say has been taken away.  None of us are far enough away that the light of the Savior's atonement cannot reach us.

It has been a difficult week at times, and where there are definitely wonderful times, I have weighed my heart down with things that only focus on the negative. But on Sunday, I saw this entry in my journal which remined me of why I came--I wrote this:

"I am now realizing how excited I am to wear a nametag bearing the Lord's name!  I can't wait to be the one who is struggling to patiently teach.  I am not always patient, but I am so excited to learn, person by person, how to become a more patient teacher.  I also realize that there is a greater significance in the nametag than normally realized.  My name will be one to represent my Savior, and the Savior of the World, and all I do will be attached to that-- but haven't I already attached my name to his?  All I do can reflect my belief and faith in him... All I can do now is make the decision of who I want to be."

 

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love,

Sister Wuehler

P.S. We are going on a hike later today!

Scripture: Alma 26:27

"Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success."

Mosiah 24:12-16

"And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.  And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: 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.  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; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.  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. And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage."

 

ism: "When things get tough, just remember whose work this is."