With All Long-Suffering

Jarom described his people this way: “Behold, it is expedient that much should be done among this people, because of the hardness of their hearts, and the deafness of their ears, and the blindness of their minds, and the stiffness of their necks.” It was apparently difficult to keep them in the right way spiritually. Given that, I was struck with this description of how the Nephite spiritual leaders responded: “Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence; teaching the law of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though he already was” (Jarom 1:3, 11). They were diligent and did exhort the people “with all long-suffering” to try to help them to keep the commandments of God. Just because the people were hard-hearted and stiff-necked the leaders did not give up on them. Instead, they showed diligence and patience in trying to help them. The word long-suffering is defined this way: “enduring injury, trouble, or provocation long and patiently.” Giving further context this online dictionary says, “Long-suffering is most commonly used as an adjective to describe someone who patiently endures negative situations for long periods of time without complaining.” These leaders then patiently endured the wickedness of their people, trying to help and encourage and motivate them without complaining.

                Several other passages of scriptures encourage us to likewise be long-suffering. Alma said to the people of Gideon: “And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times” (Alma 7:23). He similarly encouraged the people of Ammonihah: “But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering” (Alma 13:28). To be humble and submissive, patient and full of love and long-suffering, is no easy task for any of us, though Alma himself showed it as he suffered there in that city under the hands of wicked men. The Lord encouraged the sons of Mosiah with these words: “Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me” (Alma 17:11). Surely He would encourage us with similar words in whatever calling we have received from Him to perform. We need patience and a willingness to endure without complaint. Alma also urged the Zoramites with these words: “Nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience…. Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you” (Alma 32:41, 43). We need diligence, patience, and long-suffering when it comes to spiritual things as we wait upon the Lord for His blessings. I love the way Paul put it in this invitation to the Ephesians: “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3). Striving to show meekness, longsuffering, and love we will find peace through the Spirit. Whether it is in our interaction with neighbors, friends, colleagues, ward members, extended family, or our own children, the Lord wants us to show long-suffering towards their imperfections, just as He does towards us.