Patient in Our Sufferings

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.

Ezra T. Benson said:
“There are times when you simply have to righteously hang on and outlast the devil until his depressive spirit leaves you. As the Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith: ‘thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if you endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high’ (DC 121:7-8). To press on in noble endeavors, even while surrounded by a cloud of depression, will eventually bring you out on top into the sunshine.” (Ensign, Nov. 1974 as
taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 290)


28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.
29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.


I read this and I think how much the mission field has not changed. Some missions are not this hard, but I know many who have suffered similarly. I know missionaries who have been mocked and some who have been beaten. I know missionaries who have suffered emotionally the rest of their lives because of the persecution they faced while striving to bring souls to God. I have seen them suffer their afflictions patiently...some afflictions spanning decades. But I have also seen the power of God, if they have allowed it, to deliver them from those afflictions.


35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

In our daily lives we get discouraged and we face hard things. Sometimes we are mocked and emotionally or mentally beaten. Sometimes we imprison our own minds and talents with doubt and fear. But God can free us from all of this. He is a merciful being. If we follow his commandments and turn to him in all things, if we are patient in our suffering, he can and will deliver us from our afflictions.