Desire, Decision, Determination

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.”

• The Lord told Alma and the Sons of Mosiah to "bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success." So at their low point, when they were about to throw in the towel, the Lord "comforted them" and then gave them some counsel.

• The word "comfort" in this case has nothing to do with feeling at ease. The root meaning is to "strengthen" so the Lord strengthened them and then counseled them to "bear with patience" that means without complaining, without talking negatively in any way, without downplaying one's own ability to succeed.

Desire. In the preceding verse, verse 26, the missionaries had “the intent that perhaps we might save some few of their souls.” The had the desire to do the work.

Decision. The work was hard, they had thoughts about turning back, but the Lord strengthened them and counseled them. In verse 28, it says “they have come, and been forth among them; and we have been patient in our sufferings”. This shows they were resolute in their decision

Determination. Finally, verse 30 reads “and we have suffered all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul” demonstrating their determination.

When you are down and when you think it is rough going out there…remember the desire, decision and determination of the Alma and the Sons of Mosiah.

The Promise. Alma 26:22 - “He that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance.” Repent, exercise faith, bring forth good works and pray continually without ceasing. You will know the mysteries of God in your personal studies and as you testify to others, you will teach the people things that never have been revealed to them, and you will help thousands join the Church.