Limhi and the "Effectual Struggle"

Coming up this fall is a Leading Saints Women's Retreat at Bear Lake Utah.  I"ll be hosting that retreat and you can learn more about it next week on the podcast.

We read the background story of King Limhi and his oppressed people in The Book of Mormon.  King Limhi had been raised by a very wicked father King Noah and his people were now in subjection to the high taxes and the threat of destruction from the Lamanites.  

King Limhi had tried to gain freedom through a series of short wars where they lost many men in battle leaving women and children on their own to be provided for by the community.  

During this time King Limhi encountered 4 Nephite men outside the city's protective walls and he had them imprisoned for two days.  When he eventually found out who they were and that they would be the key to their deliverance King Limhi was excited and hopeful.  He called his people to gather at the temple to hear about their new found hope.

At the temple King Limhi explains to the people that although deliverance is near there "remaineth an effectual struggle to be made".  They had struggle ahead of them.  But it would be a productive or effective struggle so that they could obtain their desires.

So even with deliverance at their door it wasn't going to be handed to them.  

Has this been your experience too?  You are in an overwhelming situation or in some kind of bondage and you finally have some answers coming your way.  
Maybe it's the right eating protocol or you've finally got a diagnosis for your child's mental struggles or the answer is homeschooling.  But this isn't the end of the road.  It's the hope and what comes next is effort towards something that will bring deliverance.  

Elder Neil A. Andersen's talk in April 2022 General Conference, "Following Jesus: Being a Peacemaker" referenced here explains the need to act in a way that does not include anger or malice. So no war to wage against the enemy.  But he also explains that Peacemakers are not passive and gives several examples of Jesus being one.

What approach did King Limhi take to secure deliverance?  We read in Mosiah 7:29-32 the pattern.  1. Turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart (genuine wholehearted effort), 2. Put trust in the Lord, and 3. Serve the Lord with all diligence of mind (thoughts focused on Christ).

And it is God's will and pleasure to grant deliverance to those that follow this pattern.

This is our pattern too.  This is how our efforts or struggle can be effectual.   

Next week's podcast is on Boundaries.