Consecrating our Afflictions

A week or so ago, while my family and I were reading the Book of Mormon, we read 2 Nephi 2:2 

Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.

Something in this verse struck me, it was this part. "...he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain."

Since, I always want to be clear on what the meaning of particular words are, I googled a couple of them and this is what I found:

Consecrate = make or declare sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose. ordain to a sacred office.  Synonyms: sanctify, bless, make holy, make sacred.  More informal devote (something) exclusively to a particular purpose.

Afflictions = pain, suffering, or humiliation

Gain = improve or advance in some respect; a thing that is achieved or acquired.

So in a longer way of saying it,

... he will make your pains, sufferings and humiliations into sacred experiences and they will be for your eternal improvement and advancement.

I added the word "eternal" in there, and I'll explain why.  When I think of something being consecrated, it is done on purpose, it doesn't happen by chance.  I don't believe our struggles in this life become sacred experiences by chance either. They also don't advance us in an eternal perspective unless we allow them to, and some trials we face are so consuming that we won't fully understand their effects in this life.  But, we CHOOSE whether the afflictions we have in this life will help us progress in our eternal journey or whether we will allow them to stunt our growth and our spirituality.

Let's look at an example that is given in the Book of Mormon.  The prophet, Lehi, takes his family and leaves Jerusalem.  They leave almost all of their possessions behind.  The sons (Laman, Lemual, Sam and Nephi) are sent back to Jerusalem a couple of times; once to get the brass plates and another to get Ishmael's family.  Laman and Lemuel murmur and beat up Nephi and Sam at one point.

They travel in the wilderness for years, living off the land.  They have to hunt for their food and they are instructed not to make fires to cook their food.  The women give birth to children in these conditions.  They are led around for many years this way.

Nephi begins to build a ship.  Laman and Lemuel again want to kill him but eventually repent and help with the boat.  While traveling across the ocean, Laman and Lemuel tie up Nephi and threaten to throw him overboard.  A great tempest comes up and they finally let Nephi go.  They make it to the promised land.  Lehi blesses his children and dies.

This whole family had suffered very hard and very real afflictions.  However, how they let these trials affect them personally couldn't be more different.

First, let's look at the reaction of Laman and Lemuel found in 2 Nephi 5:3-4,14:

3 Yea, they did murmur against me, saying: Our younger brother thinks to rule over us; and we have had much trial because of him; wherefore, now let us slay him, that we may not be afflicted more because of his words. For behold, we will not have him to be our ruler; for it belongs unto us, who are the elder brethren, to rule over this people.

 4 Now I do not write upon these plates all the words which they murmured against me. But it sufficeth me to say, that they did seek to take away my life.

14 And I, Nephi, did take the sword of Laban, and after the manner of it did make many swords, lest by any means the people who were now called Lamanites should come upon us and destroy us; for I knew their hatred towards me and my children and those who were called my people.

First, Laman and Lemuel blamed others for their problems.  Then, they allowed their afflictions to make them angry with their younger brother.  In fact, they were so angry that they wanted to kill him.  Even after Nephi, his family and followers left, Laman and Lemuel taught their children to hate and kill those who called themselves the people of Nephi. This pattern continued for generations!  Some people go through struggles and trials and they become bitter, angry, and hard.  That doesn't seem like an improvement to me.

Let's contrast now with Nephi's reaction to the same trials.  Also in 2 Nephi, but now chapter 4 verses, 17-35:

17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. 

18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. 

19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. 

21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.

22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.

23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.

24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.

25 And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.

26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.

30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!

33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way--but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.

34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.

Notice the difference?  No anger.  No hate.  No bitterness.  Just a lot of gratitude, rejoicing, and also a heaping dose of wanting to be a better person.

What is the difference?  I believe the difference is instead of focusing on the hardness or pain of our afflictions, we instead focus on keeping the commandments and turning to God, allowing the Atonement of Jesus Christ to heal us.  Through the atonement, we can  rely on Christ to make it all better in the end.

Here are a couple of more scriptures about afflictions

3 And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; 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.  (Alma 36:3)

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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.   (Alma 26:27)

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1 But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction. (Jacob 3:1)

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11 And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son. (Alma 33:11)

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And last, but certainly not least, scripture given to Joseph Smith while he was imprisoned in Liberty Jail.

7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son [or daughter], that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. 

8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.

There is an awesome talk given by Richard C Edgley back in April 2002 titled, For Thy Good.  The whole talk is worth the read on it's own, but I'll just share this part.  He says:

From our sorrow we might seek out the sweetness and the good that is often associated with and peculiar to our challenge. We can seek out those memorable moments that are frequently hidden by the pain and agony. We can find peace in extending ourselves to others, using our own experiences to provide hope and comfort. And we can always remember with great solemnity and gratitude Him who suffered most to make it all right for us. And by so doing we can be strengthened to bear our burdens in peace. And then, the “works of God” might be manifest.

In speaking of Christ’s Atonement, I like the dictionary’s definition of infinite and eternal because I believe it explains exactly what God meant. Infinite: “Having no boundaries or limits.” And the definition of eternal: “Being without beginning or end”

One of my most favorite quotes from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland is very applicable to this subject, he said,

“Don't you quit. You keep walking, you keep trying, there is help and happiness ahead. ... Some blessings come soon. Some come late. Some don't come until heaven. But for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be alright in the end. Trust God and believe in Good Things to Come.”

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"The trials and tribulation that we experience may be the very things that guide us to come unto Him and cling to our covenants so that we might return to His presence and receive all that the Father hath."  —Linda S. Reeves, "Claim the Blessings of Your Covenants"

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"The difficulties which come to us present us with the real test of our ability to endure. A fundamental question remains to be answered by each of us: Shall I falter, or shall I finish?"  —Thomas S. Monson, ""I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee""

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"Our Heavenly Father, who gives us so much to delight in, also knows that we learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass."  —Thomas S. Monson, ""I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee""

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And finally, if you're a song person like me, there is a song that I like by Laura Story, called Blessings.  Here is a link to a video if you want to watch it and the lyrics are below.



We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel you near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if each promise from Your Word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win, we know
That pain reminds this heart,
That this is not, this is not our home.....
It's not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

What if my greatest disappointments,
Or the aching of this life,
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy.
What if trials of this life,
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise?