Sermon #423, Elder Winegar

Elder Winegar can be reached directly at jacob.winegar@missionary.org

Short one this week it seems.

Never does the pace slow.

As life continually moves faster around us we must increase our pace to keep up. But we need not fear that we will fall behind. The faithful are promised that they "shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint."

However, I also learned the valuable lesson this week "that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength."

I experienced an unfortunate bout of bad health that seriously shortened my stride. Do not fear, I was not hospitalized like my dear cousin in Mexico, but to me it felt a great burden. But with the people of Alma I can now stand as a witness that the Lord God will visit His people in their afflictions and ease the burdens laid upon their backs. (Mosiah 24)

We met a woman whose Sister and Father had both passed in recent years. Amidst these personal tragedies she felt she had lost her sense of self. She was not interested in hearing our message to the world, nevertheless we talked with her, mourned with her, and prayed for her. As we left her, she wept and thanked us for our compassion. Her burdens too were made lighter as we shouldered them together, even if just for a moment.

In short, "every man shall bear his own burden." It has been said, "the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labours." Each of us will have a labor to perform, a burden to bear, or a cross to carry along our own calvary. It is my humble prayer that as we shoulder the weights of life we would remember the Saviors admonition, 

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.    

   

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.    

   

"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light"

I testify that there is no burden we will experience that is too heavy to bear with Christ. Even with Christ there will still be work to do, suffering to be had, and thorny crowns to wear. But we can be assured that we arenever alone. There will always be at least one set of feet who have walked our same road and they promise rest to our weary souls. As we increase our proximity to the Savior our afflictions may stay the same, but they will be "swallowed up in the joy of Christ."

Song

Dream of Mickey Mantle–Bleachers

I love my Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. 

And I also love you hehe. :)

Have a good week,

Elder Winegar