Every one of us is going to experience serious trials, troubles, and afflictions in this life, but Alma reassured us that “whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day” (see vv. 27–28 for Alma as an example of that truth). In fact, Alma went on to teach that there is a direct and proportional relationship: The extent to which we trust the Lord indicates the extent to which we will be delivered (Alma 38:5). It is comforting to know that if we trust God—put our confidence in him—in the end we will be not cast down but lifted up, and we will have heaven’s help to make it through the inevitable hard times and to find purpose in them.
One student related that he started his mission in the land of Armenia and was enjoying becoming acquainted with the people and helping them learn of the gospel and come unto Christ. But all of that changed on a cold night when he slipped on ice and damaged his back; a few months later he had to be sent home to the United States to receive treatment for a herniated disc. It was a serious trial for the elder, but he took note of scriptures that teach “God … shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain” (2 Nephi 2:2) and “all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good” (D&C 98:3).
The elder felt lost, and he wondered why God had allowed him to fall into such trials. He questioned why he had to be home with nothing to do.
Eventually he was reassigned to the California Arcadia Mission with a special call. He was to help revive an Armenian group that had been dissolved fifteen years earlier. Soon after he began the daunting task, his best companion from Armenia became sick and later joined him in California. With great effort and the Lord’s blessings, they reestablished that unit of the Church, and when the injured elder finished his mission, there were thirty active members and a continuous flow of new investigators. The Lord really did consecrate this elder’s afflictions for his good and for the good of the many thousands of Armenians in California who could now hear the gospel in their own language.
Alma, Arise, by Walter Rane.
© Walter Rane. Used by permission.