Alma 15:18
Alma takes Amulek home with him to administer unto him in his tribulations. He had just been shunned by his friends and family. He watched his people burn to death because of their belief in what he taught. His world had just been turned completely right side up, but any change is difficult and much suffering was involved. Love how Alma, as senior in the gospel, takes the lead to tend to Amulek. This is God’s love. Alma, of course, had been through a lot himself, but he, like the Savior, moved beyond himself and his own pain to care for others who were suffering. This is where we as God’s servants need to be. Selfless, aware and available. This is His intent for us. This is charity. There is a general conference talk somewhere that I’ll have to find that talks about how this is the ultimate act in becoming Christ like – being able to move beyond your own pain and suffering to attend to those in need in the same way. Sometimes suffering is a blessing to help us identify the similar suffering in others. Then we can help. There are no coincidences in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Elder Rasband’s talk, “By Divine Design” speaks of this. Elder Neal A. Maxwell also speaks of this too in a talk that I’ll have to find. God is always molding and shaping us and our paths. We come into each others’ lives for the Lord’s purposes.
God is Love. For that, I am forever grateful.
