Our Heavenly Father knows each of us individually. He knows our likes and
dislikes, He knows our wants and fears, He knows what brings us joy and
makes our hearts ache, He even knows our favorite color, favorite food,
and our ever changing favorite song of the week, month or day. He knows
us better than any one else does. We see examples of this continually
in the scriptures through his loving council to His children. One of my home teachers
showed me a specific example that has since had a great impact on me.
In the Book of Mormon in the book of Alma, Alma is counseling his
sons. And since the scriptures are here for us, just as Nephi said in 1 Nephi 19:23, "For I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning," lets go to Alma and see how
we can apply these to us. In Alma 36:3, he says, "And now, O my son
Helaman...for I do know 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." He then speaks to
his son Shiblon and says, "And now my son, Shiblon, I would that ye
should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so
much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and
your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day." (Alma 38:5)
Did you catch the difference? To one he said if he trusted God he
would be supported and to the other he said he would be delivered? Why
is that? Well, I will tell you my thoughts! :) I know that it is because
our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ know us. They know what we
need in this life even when we think we know better. Maybe Helaman
needed to go through those trials, troubles and afflictions in order to
learn what he needed to in this life. Perhaps Shiblon had already been
tested and tried a lot and he was reaching the fourth watch so to speak.
He had been persecuted and stoned and remained patient through it all.
As for Helaman maybe the Lord was going to stretch him a little more to make him more better. :) It's not saying one son was better than the other or did more for the people or the Lord. The council Alma gave them individually was what he had felt they need to hear through the guidance of the spirit. It also reminds me of Elder Holland's talk when he talked about the parable of the laborers. Some worked all day and a lot was required of them, but then others were hired in the last few hours of the day and both received the same pay. A lesson I take from this is that if we do what is asked of us, which is individual to each one of us, we will receive the reward we are all striving for, Eternal Life with our Heavenly Father. We are all asked to do different things and we can't compare our lives to anyone else's. Some may have a hard time with this parable and feel the workers who worked the entire day should get more than the ones who worked for 2 hours. They agreed to $100 (or a set amount) for the day, and they got that. Those that worked for two hours and agreed to $100 for the day also got that. Sometimes when we compare ourselves to others or want what everyone else has we may end up missing opportunities to learn and grow. Those workers who were there for the entire day might have had the opportunity to use their muscles more, to remain strong. Maybe they had the opportunity to learn as they were assigned a new project. Thus adding to their repertoire of skills and knowledge.
As for Helaman maybe the Lord was going to stretch him a little more to make him more better. :) It's not saying one son was better than the other or did more for the people or the Lord. The council Alma gave them individually was what he had felt they need to hear through the guidance of the spirit. It also reminds me of Elder Holland's talk when he talked about the parable of the laborers. Some worked all day and a lot was required of them, but then others were hired in the last few hours of the day and both received the same pay. A lesson I take from this is that if we do what is asked of us, which is individual to each one of us, we will receive the reward we are all striving for, Eternal Life with our Heavenly Father. We are all asked to do different things and we can't compare our lives to anyone else's. Some may have a hard time with this parable and feel the workers who worked the entire day should get more than the ones who worked for 2 hours. They agreed to $100 (or a set amount) for the day, and they got that. Those that worked for two hours and agreed to $100 for the day also got that. Sometimes when we compare ourselves to others or want what everyone else has we may end up missing opportunities to learn and grow. Those workers who were there for the entire day might have had the opportunity to use their muscles more, to remain strong. Maybe they had the opportunity to learn as they were assigned a new project. Thus adding to their repertoire of skills and knowledge.
We don't know for sure the reasons
for everything but the purpose I am trying to get across is our Heavenly
Father knows each one of us. He knows what we need and want. He knows
if it is best for us to be supported in our trials or if we need to
learn to trust him and our trial will therefore be taken from us. There
is no
one exactly like you here on earth. Sure there maybe be people who we
share a lot of things in common with but there is no one that we should
compare ourselves with. You are a unique individual and that's what
makes
you special. Always remember our Heavenly Father and our brother Jesus
Christ KNOW YOU. They want what's best for you and they want you to
return to live with them again, and be able to wrap their loving arms
around you and say, I love you.
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