Whitney Clayton

Walked at dawn thru Peru. Saw man carrying firewood, steadied load with a rope around his head. Leaned forward, and walked deliberately. He made 2 or 3 round trips with the load. That memory has become meaningful. How long could he carry such burdens?

Life gives us burdens. People struggle with burdens that tax our souls, they can continue for years. 3 Sources of burdens: natural products of world in which we live... natural disasters. Others are imposed on us because of others: sin, incorrect traditions, crime, gossip, unkindness. Others are because of our own mistakes and misdeeds: burden of sin. Failure to keep the commandments.

No matter what burdens we have, HF loves us, and adversity can help us return to him. This life is but a small moment, if we endure it well, god will exalt us.

Burdens provide opportunities to practice virtues. You can yeild to enticings of holy spirit. Become as a child. Submissive, meek, full of love. Burdens = Blessings. They can be disguised.

Example: Adam, cursed shall be the ground for thy sake. Work is a burden and blessing. Teaches us lessons thru sweat.

Example: Alma saw poverty can humble people, make them ready to hear the word. That's why missionaries convert the poor.

Example: Nephites softened by war, forced to be humble. Social and political disorder can humble us, motivate us to heavenly shelter.

Example: JS was persecuted for experience.

Value in suffering at hands of others. Bearing up under our burdens can develop our empathy. Bear one another's burdens. Baptismal covenants require it. Mourn and comfort. Helping others will ease our own burdens, helps us stand on holy ground. Inasmuch as you have done this to the least of these, my brethern, you have done it unto me.

Saviour offers us strength, support, deliverance.

Community Helam. Only god could deliver. They were slaves with tasks and taskmasters. People poured their hearts to god. Obedience to god, they were delivered in stages. Eased their burdens so they could stand as witnesses. God visits his people in their afflictions. Lord strengthened them. People submitted cheerfully and with patience. Be of good comfort, lord will deliver. Saviour offers us deliverance from our sins. JC suffered according to the flesh so he could deliver. Christ suffered so we don't have to. We can have forgiveness. Who repents will find mercy.

Peruvian man is the image of us all. As we turn to god, he will help us, forgive us, and bless us. Let us submit cheerfully and patiently to the will of the lord.