Are You in Bondage? — Mosiah 29–Alma 4
Come, Follow Me: Book of Mormon 2024 (June 3–9)
Reading recent Book of Mormon stories about people in bondage and their release through Godly means, prompted the question for me, “Where am I in bondage?”. The answer was quick and clear. I am enslaved to certain thinking patterns and consequential actions that are not sinful but are stumbling blocks to my goal of becoming the best daughter of God I can be.
One way to know if you’re in bondage, is to ask, “Could I easily give up this behavior today and feel free to make a better choice?” Realizing how hard it would be to change the behavior, you may have identified a “flaxen cord” (2 Nephi 26:22) that is keeping you from being free. The ultimate criterion of bondage is if the thought or behavior moves you away from heavenly relationships.
These could be examples of modern-day bondage:
Picking up the phone every free moment
Continually finding fault with yourself or others
Needing to be busy all the time
Comparing yourself to others
Making everything a priority
Saying yes to every request
Doing hard things by yourself, not asking for divine help.
Because of Christ’s atonement, we can be freed from any degree of bondage. “Each of us has experienced this as we have repented. We have felt true freedom as we have been forgiven and jettisoned the behavior that tormented us. Sometimes, these bonds seem to burst, and we are immediately freed. At other times, the cords are loosed rather than burst (see Alma 5:9-10). But whether this happens all at once or gradually, the long-term effect is the same: we are free! Either way, it is miraculous” (Elder Paul V. Johnson).
If you’re seeking freedom from worldly bondage, start here: “My brothers and sisters, I plead with you to make time for the Lord! Make your own spiritual foundation firm and able to stand the test of time by doing those things that allow the Holy Ghost to be with you always.
Never underestimate the profound truth that ‘the Spirit speaketh … of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be.’ ‘It will show unto you all things what ye should do’” (President Russell M. Nelson).
Do Hard Divinely Better Lesson #22: Seek freedom from behaviors that turn you away from the Lord. Let Him help you overcome and become