Mosiah 22-23

(March 9, 2014)
Sometimes we think that we should be exempt from suffering because we are righteous (as we suppose).  But the scriptures couldn’t be clearer that righteousness is not a defense against challenges or suffering.  Alma and his people were those who rejected the priestcrafts of Noah, escaped into the wilderness to build a Christian society, and yet here they were – brought into bondage by the very High Priests who oppressed them before.  These High Priests had left a trail of suffering and misery in their wake (between teaching false doctrine all the way to taking the daughters of the Lamanites), yet here they were put into a position of power over the righteous.  Nothing about this is fair, until we realize that afflictions are also blessings for developing the characteristics that we have in our souls to become more Christlike.