I Will Not Leave You Comfortless

There is one scripture that constantly gets misquoted. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 it says, ". . .but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able. . ." The key word is tempted. Some well meaning people have tried to substitute the word tested there. Maybe they are trying to be hopeful or reassure themselves that nothing so bad will happen to them that they can't handle it. For whatever reason, it is not true.

Otherwise, why would we have scriptures that say,

"Come unto me, 

all ye that labour and are heavy laden, 

and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you and learn of me…

for my yoke is easy, 

and my burden is light" 

or the one found in John 14:28 that says, 

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."

These scriptures make me think that Christ is talking to those of us who are carrying loads too heavy for us to bear. One such experience happened to a family member when they lost three children in a car accident back in 2007. Just five years earlier they had a young daughter pass away and now four of their eight children were in heaven. 

My cousin and his wife had a load much too heavy to bear! It was beyond their capability even though they had very strong testimonies and were faithful members of the church. How could they believe a scripture that said God would not test them beyond their ability to bear? They not only had to turn over their burden to the Savior, but they also had to get help from counselors and therapists to overcome the tremendous, unimaginable grief they were experiencing.  

We know that we will be tested beyond our ability to bear, and that is why scriptures such as the one telling us that the Lord will not leave us comfortless are so valuable! Even though we might experience trials in this life that seem overwhelming, we can always turn to Christ and know that He will carry our burden so that it will be light. 

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, "Because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: ‘I will not leave you comfortless." (https://www.lds.org/manual/new-testament-student-manual/introduction-to-the-gospel-according-to-st-john/chapter-26-john-14-16?lang=eng)

Isn't it amazing to think that we have family members on both sides of the veil helping us!! And angels!! Heavenly Father provided us a way to never be without comfort in times of trial. We know we can turn to the Savior and have immediate peace and comfort in times of need. There are times when we have to turn to additional resources for help, too. We can be reassured that the Lord has provided a way for us to heal emotionally, spiritually, and physically. He will always show us the way when we are humble and willing to follow the Spirit. 

Remaining Steadfast Against Opposition

I have been hearing about the end of the world lately. With the recent United States presidential election, many people have exclaimed that it didn't matter who we voted for. Both candidates were evil and they seemed to find reassurance in the idea that the end of the world would get here faster either way. From what I read this week in the New Testament, that does not seem to be the case.

The end of the world is referenced in Matthew 24:14 when it says, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." 

What is meant by "the end"? 

Joseph Smith said the following: "According to the Savior’s language, the end of the world is the destruction of the wicked; the harvest and the end of the world have an allusion directly to the human family in the last days, instead of the earth, as many have imagined.” So, the end of the world is not the end of the earth but the end of wickedness."

That phrase gave me a great deal of hope as well as those around me who were struggling with who to vote for. We know that the world does not have to be more wicked. It has already passed the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah. What do we need to do to withstand the evil forces around us?

The answer is in Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:11. It says, "But he that remaineth steadfast and is not overcome, the same shall be saved."  

Elder David A. Bednar explained how we can remain steadfast. He said, "A person who is steadfast and immovable is solid, firm, resolute, firmly secured, and incapable of being diverted from a primary purpose or mission. A building or structure that is stable and immovable must be built upon a strong foundation. If you and I desire to become steadfast and immovable disciples of the Master, we must build appropriately and effectively upon Him as our foundation. As we become more spiritually mature and increasingly steadfast and immovable, we focus upon and strive to understand the fundamental and foundational doctrines of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Disciples who are steadfast and immovable do not become fanatics or extremists, are not overzealous, and are not preoccupied with misguided gospel hobbies.”

This does not mean that we stand still, however. Sometimes we have to be like Joseph and run! On Sunday our bishop told us about a documentary on iguanas. As soon as they hatch, their instinct is to cross the Galapagos Island and get to the other side. They barely crack out of their shells and snakes are trying to catch and destroy them. You can watch it here:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv9hn4IGofM&list=PLsbiKtJbTLpOpq1XHYilA98Zfz-7E21O0&index=8

As I watched this segment of the video, I pictured our youth and young adults out in the world. They are noticed and targeted. Satan is trying his best to capture and destroy them. I love the part in the video where the snakes have the iguana and then he gets away. All of us get caught and need a way to escape. Jesus Christ made our escape possible. We can turn to Him and through His Atonement, be rescued and have another chance to work toward eternal life.

In A.D. 70 the Jews were suffering in great tribulation and if the Lord would not have intervened, they would have been completely annihilated. We have been promised that the Lord will need to intervene in the last days for His people to survive. Knowing that we are not left alone and remembering that the righteous will win the war gives me strength to carry on with hope each day.

It's Never Too Late to Come to Christ

In Matthew 20 Jesus gives the parable of the laborers. Early in the morning, a man hired laborers to work for a penny in his vineyard. He also went into the city and hired more laborers on the third, sixth, and ninth hours offering them each a penny. At about the eleventh hour, he hired some more men. When it came time to pay, the Lord of the vineyard had those who were hired last be paid first and they were given a penny. The first men that were hired complained that it wasn't fair. They worked for much longer than those hired on the eleventh hour. The Lord of the vineyard explained that they had agreed on the wages before they were hired. 

Elder Holland gives a great explanation for this parable. He likens it to those who have lived the gospel their whole lives compared to those who learn and accept the gospel later in life. We all have access to the blessings of the gospel no matter how late in life we learn about it and start living it. Some may have the gospel and leave it for a time and then come back. Just like the parable of the prodigal son, we are grateful and happy when people choose to come back to the gospel.

I love this quote from Elder Holland,"However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines." 

There is nothing like hearing this doctrine straight from the lips of a living prophet. You can watch it here: 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/the-laborers-in-the-vineyard?lang=eng

Some people think the Atonement applies to other people but not themselves. One bishop I know said that some members who have come to him to confess a sin feel the Atonement won't work for them because they knew better. This is a lie that Satan perpetrates on us. He tempts us and wants us to make mistakes, telling us all along that it really won't matter. Then if we succumb to the temptations, he tells us we are worthless and that there is no hope for us. 

There is always hope for those who believe in the Savior and believe His teachings. It is important to believe Him and well as believe in Him. 

I found an amazing poem this week that opened my eyes to some of the ways we fail to come unto Christ. Here is the poem presented by its creator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIQFLbvuWXc

We need Christ in our life and when we make Him the focus, we can achieve and become more than we ever could on our own.