Effectual Struggle

What comes to mind when you think of the words "effectual struggle?"
Synonyms for the word "effectual" are: productive,  useful, virtuous, decisive,

The people under the reign of King Noah, in the Book of Mormon, had struggles, they had been oppressed, exploited, and persecuted.  After King Noah died, the people gained his son, Limhi, as their new ruler.  Completely unlike his father, King Limhi was a good man who loved God and cared about the people.  (No doubt, during his father's reign, he suffered all kinds of abuses too.) This wasn't a stand-alone kingdom either, it was different, like a kingdom within a kingdom.  You see, for almost three generations, the people of Limhi had been under the reign and subjugation of their enemies, the Lamanites.  For years they had been paying half of all they owned to them. (Mosiah 7:22)

There are two different kinds of struggle: the productive kind and the destructive - the struggle to be "in the world but not of the world" and the struggle to "be 'in' with the world."

Lest we sympathize too much with the people of Limhi.  It is noted that they brought a great deal of their sufferings upon themselves! Lets just say they cared more about being "In with the world."

"Many of our brethren have been slain, and their blood has been spilt in vain, and all because of iniquity.  For if this people had not fallen into transgression the Lord would not have suffered that this great evil should come upon them.  But behold, they would not hearken unto his [the prophet Abinadi's] words; but there arose contentions among them, even so much that they did shed blood among themselves.  And a prophet of the Lord have they slain; yea a, chosen man of God... They put him to death; and many more things did they do which brought down the wrath of God upon them.  Therefore, who wondereth that they are in bondage, and that they are smitten with sore afflictions?"
(Mosiah 7:24-26, 28)

This struggle the people had gone through was something that COULD have been avoided.  This was a struggle that they collectively brought upon themselves.

But the Lord, in His mercy, gave the people another chance:
He sent prophets and scriptures again to the people and Limhi was receptive, so receptive in fact that he rejoiced exceedingly and gave gratitude to God,
"Doubtless a great mystery is contained within these plates [these scriptures], and these interpreters were doubtless prepared for the purpose of unfolding all such mysteries to the children of men.  O how marvelous are the works of the Lord, and how long doth He suffer with His people." (Mosiah 8:19,20)

King Limhi learned how the scriptures came to be, through the records and writings of prophets.  He learned of the righteous Prophet / King Benjamin and was blessed to have rehearsed to him his final words...  Those humbling and transforming words!
It changed the people, their hearts were softened, and they believed!
Limhi encouraged his people, "Lift up your heads and be comforted; for behold, the time is at hand, or is not far distant, when we shall no longer be in subjection to our enemies, notwithstanding our many strugglings, which have been in vain; yet I trust there remaineth an effectual struggle to be made." (Mosiah 7:18)

With their hearts changed by the power of the word of God, the Lord helped release them from their unnecessary struggle and the bondage they brought upon themselves.

But for the truly converted, there lies another struggle yet to be had....
not a "vain"struggle but an "effectual" one, a beautiful, productive, useful, virtuous and decisive struggle!  This is the kind that transforms, refines, and purifies.  It's painful, it's difficult, but because it's for the right reasons and has a righteous aim, because it is centered on Christ "whereon if men build, they cannot fall" (Heleman 5:12.)

"Adversity can strengthen and refine us. As with the butterfly, adversity is necessary to build character in people. Even when we are called to sail through troubled waters, we need to know the place of adversity in shaping our divine potential.

If only we would look beyond our present suffering and see our struggles as a temporary chrysalis. If only we would have the faith and trust in our Heavenly Father to see how, after a little season, then we can emerge from our trials more refined and glorious." - Joseph B. Wirthlin (Finding a Safe Harbor- April 2000)

I know it's true!
-Alicia