Daily Answers: Apply scripture story to my life

​I knew my scripture study for today would be Mosiah 7 which is the story of the people of Limhi being in bondage to the Lamanites. Therefore I wasn't surprised when the question that came to my mind and heart was, "What bondage am I in?" This is a great question, but I didn't want to share publicly the answer I would receive. By the end of reading Mosiah 7 and taking notes, I decided I didn't need to share specifics about my personal bondage. I could share the parallels between this scripture story and my life.

Before my scripture study this morning, I finished listening to a podcast, ConneXions by Jodi Hildebrandt Episode 115: Enabling (Controlling) vs. Surrender. I realized that I am trying to control/enable my children. Then as I read Mosiah 7 I could see the gospel basis for the episode I'd just finished. King Limhi tells his people, "lift up your heads and be comforted...we shall no longer be in subjection to our enemies...yet I trust there remaineth an effectual struggle to be made" (Mosiah 7:18). The people of king Limhi were in bondage because of their own iniquities and abominations. They were being controlled by the king of the Lamanites. When I try to control or enable my children and not allow them the consequences of their actions, I am in bondage and so is he. When I allow self doubt to control me, I am in bondage. Jodi Hildebrandt says when I feel pain I need to ask myself, "What is causing me pain or discomfort? Who is responsible for the pain or discomfort? Is it me?" Then she says, "You stop and you be thoughtful and before you do anything, make sure you are centered in truth." The truth for king Limhi's people was that their bondage was a result of their iniquity. They took responsibility, turned to God and repented. But that didn't make the problem go away. I love the phrase, "I trust there remaineth an effectual struggle to be made" (Mosiah 7:18). Getting out of bondage is hard work, but we have to put our trust in the Lord as king Limhi reminded his people. The Lord does not enable us in our transgression. King Limhi taught, "For behold, the Lord hath said: I will not succor my people in the day of their transgression; but I will hedge up their ways that they prosper not; and their doings shall be as a stumbling block before them" (Mosiah 7:29). The Lord lets us experience the consequences of our actions, but He is there when we are ready to repent. The answer is, "But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage" (Mosiah 7:33).

With my children and myself, I need to put my trust in the Lord, do the hard work or effectual struggle, and the Lord "according to his own will and pleasure, [will] deliver [me] out of bondage" (Mosiah 7:33).
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I appreciate that for today I was able to see how a scripture story I've read and heard hundreds of times contains the truths of psychology and behavioral science and applies to my life.