The Story of the Dying AntiNephiLehies

Good Morning Friends and Family. How is everyone doing? Did you all enjoy groundhogs day? What about the Olympics? I don't know much about what is going on in the outside world but I do try to pick up on a few things. 

So this week, I will be very honest, was quite hard. So instead of telling you about every single day this week, I'm going to tell you about a scripture story that really helped me get through this week. It's in Alma chapter 24. 

This chapter talks all about these people who call themselves the AntiNephiLehies. Long name huh? I remember learning about them growing up but this week their story really sunk in. They were living in peace for a long time and were very close to the Lord. They loved God with all of their heart and were even visited by angels. Then one day they find out that their city is about to be attacked by their enemies the Lamanites. But they made a promise to the Lord to not fight with their brethren and to not kill with their swords, so they decide that they are going to bury their weapons and peacefully pray while the Lamanites came upon them, trusting that the Lord would protect them.

So the Lamanites came and thousands of AnitNephiLehis died. (Side note when I read this I was shocked because that is not how I remembered the story). Why did the Lord not protect them I thought? Where was He in their time of need? The story continues to tell us that after these brethren died thousands of Lamanites joined the Church because they were amazed by the example of the brethren. Then in the chapters to follow, people continue to come to the Church because of their example. My favorite verse that ties this story altogether for me is; "Thus we see that the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people".

That is what I learned this week. This week a lot of our very strong investigators that were about to get baptized told us they didn't want to take the lessons anymore. It broke my heart because I have such a love for these people and I know how much joy the Gospel could bring to their life. I felt a little bit like a dying AntiNephiLehite saying "wait a minute I trusted you. now you are supposed to work Your miracles". But just like in this story there are things that the Lord must do to help in the salvation of HIS people. I don't understand it right now, but I have to trust that He knows what He is doing. He loves these people more than I do and He will protect them. I know He will. 

I know that sometimes in life we don't understand what the Lord is doing with our lives and don't know where He has gone. I know that life is hard sometimes, but I also know that He lives. I know that He loves us. I know that He is aware of us. 

I love you all and am so proud of the great things you are doing at home.

Keep up the good work 

Sister Aase