Wiping Away Our Tears: From Sacrifice to Sanctified

Come read four heroic examples of God’s tender mercies

It can be tempting to think that our favorite scripture heroes are immune to pain, doubt, and weakness. However, like us, great scripture heroes complained, lamented, and wept — even Jesus asked that His cup be taken from Him. What makes these stories heroic isn’t the absence of tribulation but that these women and men had faith that God “will wipe away the tears from [our] eyes.” ^{¹

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Revelation 21:4}

As we look at different examples, remember not every solution (or balm) will work for everyone in the same way, but these suggestions might inspire you to find your own balm of Gilead! ^{²

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See Guide to the Scriptures, “Balm of Gilead,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org}

Moroni

When we give our all, any sacrifice can be sanctified.

Problem: Writing

Worried that his writings in the Book of Mormon would never be good enough, Moroni prayed, “Lord, the Gentiles will mock at these things. … When we write we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words.” ^{³

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Ether 12: 23, 25}

Balm: Grace

Students aren’t the only ones who struggle with their studies! To Moroni, as well as to us, the Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for all … if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.” ^{⁴

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Ether 12:27} His words in the Book of Mormon have since touched the hearts of millions of people.

Hagar

Problem: Abandonment

Sent away from her husband, Hagar wandered in the desert with her infant son, Ishmael, until she ran out of water. She lamented, “Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over [away from Ishmael], and lift up her voice, and wept.” ^{⁵

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Genesis 21:16}

Balm: Sight

Suddenly, an angel appeared and said, “What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not.” Then, “God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink." ^{⁶

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Genesis 21:17–19} God did not create a well out of nothing; he gave Hagar the sight to see the blessings that were always there.

Moses

Problem: Overwhelmed

Even Moses, the great leader of the Exodus, was so overwhelmed by his responsibilities that he cried, “I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.” ^{⁷

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Numbers 11:15}

Balm: Support

The Lord said to Moses, “Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel … and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.” ^{⁸

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Numbers 11:16–17} God has given us support systems to help us: family, friends, church leaders, and especially the Savior Jesus Christ, who took on every burden you have and will ever experience.

Eve

It is through their sacrifices that these heroes teach us to find a balm in Christ.

Problem: Mortality

Describing the effects of mortality, God told Adam and Eve, “By the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, until thou shalt return unto the ground — for thou shalt surely die — for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou wast, and unto dust shalt thou return.” ^{⁹

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Moses 4:25}

Balm: Learning

Despite the difficulties of mortal life, Eve rejoiced, “Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.” ^{¹⁰

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Moses 5:11} Knowing the depths of pain and sorrow allows us to understand the soaring heights of joy and beauty. This unlocks our divine potential.

Find your balm

Because of His Atonement, Jesus Christ knows how to “succor [us] according to [our] infirmities,” ^{¹¹

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Alma 7:12} from health challenges to school work and everything in between. There is a unique balm of Gilead for each of us just as there was for even the greatest of heroes and prophets of the scriptures.

How has God comforted and healed you during your challenges?

Article published on June 26, 2023