Mosiah 29:20
20 But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him.
It is common to think of bondage as the load we are carrying that is put on us by the world or others outside of ourselves which causes distress. But what of the ongoing emotional and mental struggles, the effects of trauma or challenges of life we carry, is this not a type of bondage? This includes the vicissitudes of life that impact on how we view ourselves and conduct our lives, today I would like to speak of the blessing we have to be delivered of our emotional bondage.
Through the power and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, we can be delivered from the painful effects of bondage. This bondage includes emotional challenges such as the hurt, sadness or anger that comes with feeling unfairly treated, overwhelmed, unsupported, abandoned or rejected. Feeling we are not good enough, likable or even loveable. The pressure we put on ourselves through perfectionism or impatience. Having thoughts that we will never achieve our goals, have what it takes to overcome our fears or achieve the happiness we desire etc. When we are stuck in debilitating, highly critical and negative thought patterns and opinions, is this not a type of oppressive captivity?
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
How do we overcome this spirit of bondage?
Elder Richard G Scott teaches us that problems or trials in our lives need to be viewed in the perspective of scriptural doctrine.
do you feel overwhelmed and in desperation seek for others to solve your
problems, overlooking your own capacity to make much improvement?
Do you understand the necessity to do what you can so that the Lord cando what He will to help you?"
Elder Scott then admonishes us to
"Seek to understand the principles of healing from the scriptures and through prayer." (To be Healed Apr 1994)
Elder Scott also taught,
“The Lord is intent on your personal growth and development. That progress is accelerated when you willingly allow Him to lead you through every growth experience you encounter, whether initially it be to your individual liking or not. When you trust in the Lord, when you are willing to let your heart and your mind be centered in His will, when you ask to be led by the Spirit to do His will, you are assured of the greatest happiness along the way and the most fulfilling attainment from this mortal experience." [see 1 Nephi 3:7]” (Conference Report, Apr. 1996)
Elder Evan A. Schmutz of the Seventy said in 2016,
"God invites us to respond with faith to our own unique afflictions in order that we may reap blessings and gain knowledge that can be learned in no other way. We are instructed to keep the commandments in every condition and circumstance, for “he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.” And as we read in scripture, “If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful.” (God shall Wipe away all Tears, Oct 2016)
So faith is an obvious scriptural doctrine, and what of repentance?
We repent when we sin but can we repent when we are struggling with emotional challenges and weaknesses? Our Prophet has asked us to repent daily and for me this includes giving the Saviour ALL my burdens. To repent means to change, I have a strong desire to experience peace and harmony within my Spirit and when I am not, I have found by tuning in and understanding what I am feeling, labeling it and asking the Lord in his mercy to receive it for me, has been a powerful pathway for peace and healing. There are many scriptures that speak of the power of repentance. I testify that scriptural doctrine includes the promise that the Lord will extend his arm of mercy to us when we repent and ask Him to help us change.(2 Nephi 28:32 and Jacob 6:4-5)
President Russel M Nelson
"Thus, when Jesus asks you and me to “repent,” He is inviting us to change our mind, our knowledge, our spirit—even the way we breathe. He is asking us to change the way we love, think, serve, spend our time, treat our wives (husbands), teach our children, and even care for our bodies. Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. When coupled with faith, repentance opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I plead with you to repent. Experience the strengthening power of daily repentance—of doing and being a little better each day." (April 2019, We can Do Better and Be Better)
I have observed that the Lord does not always deliver us from the situations or effects of our emotional bondage immediately but he can lessen the impact and comfort us. The traumas we experience in life can leave behind a trail of suffering and I testify that in the Lord's will and time we can be healed from these burdens.
Just as in Matthew 17:21 we learn from the Saviour that some things goeth not out but by prayer and fasting, I have found that to achieve freedom from emotional bondage also requires prayer and fasting. I know that as many times as we sincerely ask, He does come to our aid and succor us in the very moments we need. Just as Alma testified, as we cry unto Him, he will bring peace to our souls. (Alma 38:8)
In Alma 28 we learn when the righteous Lamanites were experiencing a particularly difficult time, they turned to fasting to help them.
6 And now surely this was a sorrowful day; yea, a time of solemnity, and a time of much fasting and prayer.
Last year along with daily repentance, President Nelson asked us to end conflict in our personal lives, and just this month he reminded us that the best way to honour the Saviour is to be a peacemaker. He reminded us that "charity is the spiritual gift that helps us cast off the natural man, who is selfish, defensive, prideful and jealous...charity defines a peacemaker. When we humble ourselves before God and pray with ALL the energy of our hearts. God will grant us charity"
So charity is another scriptural doctrine that will empower us to be peacemakers, be temperate and be in charge of our emotions. As we strive to be a Zion people may we end the emotional conflict within and experience peace in our hearts and our souls by praying and fasting for charity or the pure love of Christ. I know as we invite the Lord more fully into our lives, His love will, in time, enable us to overcome our emotional bondage.
Elder Wirthlin
"Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others. Because Jesus Christ suffered greatly, He understands our suffering. He understands our grief. We experience hard things so that we too may have increased compassion and understanding for others."(Oct 2008, Come what may and Love it)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell once shared what he had learned of purposeful suffering in these words: “Certain forms of suffering, endured well, can actually be ennobling. … “… Part of enduring well consists of being meek enough, amid our suffering, to learn from our relevant experiences. Rather than simply passing through these things, they must pass through us … in ways which sanctify [us]. "(Enduring Well, April 1999)
There are many other scriptural doctrines that teach us how to become free from physical and spiritual bondage that can apply to emotional bondage. Many of them are truly miraculous. Most often these struggles for freedom are concentrated over a period of time. The struggle is the highlight and the lesson. Courage, resilience, patience, hope, trust and tenacity are required and tested, but always the promises are realised and freedom prevails.
Just like the people of Alma the elder in Mosiah 24
16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.
21 Yea, and in the valley of Alma they poured out their thanks to God because he had been merciful unto them, and eased their burdens, and had delivered them out of bondage; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it were the Lord their God.
And Alma the younger to his son Shiblon, For I know that thou wast in bonds;... and thou didst bear all these things with patience because the Lord was with thee; and now thou knowest that the Lord did deliver them. 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 38:4-5)
Elder Holland
So while we work and wait together for the answers to some of our prayers, I offer you my apostolic promise that they are heard and they are answered, though perhaps not at the time or in the way we wanted. But they are always answered at the time and in the way an omniscient and eternally compassionate parent should answer them. My beloved brothers and sisters, please understand that He who never sleeps nor slumbers cares for the happiness and ultimate exaltation of His children above all else that a divine being has to do. He is pure love, gloriously personified, and Merciful Father is His name." (Waiting on the Lord, Oct 2020)
So back to my original scripture:
Mosiah 29:20
20 But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him.
The points that trigger the promise of deliverance are:
1. Humble ourselves
2. Cry mightily
3. Trust in God
So while we wait in humility and cry mightily to God we can put our trust in Him knowing that God always hears our prayers.
I know as we act in faith, repent and ask for charity, through fasting and prayer, the Holy Ghost will show us what we need to do to be free of our emotional bondage. It is my testimony that though he may not heal us immediately, our merciful God always comes to our aid, succors us, comforts us, strengthens us and eases our burdens.
Mosiah 24:14 reads: And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
More words from Elder Scott;
"True enduring happiness with the accompanying strength, courage, and capacity to overcome the most challenging difficulties comes from a life centered in Jesus Christ. Obedience to His teachings provides a sure foundation upon which to build. That takes effort. There is no guarantee of overnight results, but there is absolute assurance that, in the Lord’s time, solutions will come, peace will prevail, and emptiness will be filled." (Trust in the Lord Oct 1995,)
Mosiah 7:33 reads; But if you will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.
Then Presidents Nelson’s closing words just this month;
“I plead with you to come unto Him so that He can heal you! He will heal you from sin as you repent. He will heal you from sadness and fear. He will heal you from the wounds of this world. Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Learn more about His Atonement, His love, His mercy, His doctrine, and His restored gospel of healing and progression. Turn to Him! Follow Him!” (The Answer is Always Jesus Christ, April 2023)
In the name of Jesus Christ Amen
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