Sabbath Devotional :: Weak Things Become Strong

Alma the younger is described as “a man of many words” who spoke “much flattery to the people.” As a young man, he “led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities” and he “became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church” (Mosiah 27:8-9).

We know Alma’s miraculous and astounding conversion story. Following his conversion, he became the first chief judge in the newly established Nephite democracy. He continued in this position for only a few years until he stepped down to devote all of his time to his ministry. He chose to “preach the word of God” to his people, “seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them” (Alma 4:19). The sermons he preached continue to inspire many, including me, today.

It seems to me that Alma was a charismatic and persuasive speaker. Early in his life, he used his talent to lead people away from Christ but following his conversion, he used the same innate gift to bring people to Christ.

I have been thinking about the oft-quoted scripture from Ether: “I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” (Ether 12:27).

I have read that verse in Ether to mean that, with the help of the Savior, I can correct things that are wrong with me. For example, if I were excessively quick to anger, I could rely on the grace of Christ to help me become patient, longsuffering, and kind. If I struggled to pay tithing, with diligent effort and reliance on Christ, I could become faithful and strong in this area. In these instances, our weakness becomes a strength as we become what we were not.

Considering the example of Alma, however, perhaps our weakness and our strength are actually the same thing. We are each given gifts by the Spirit of God (see D&C 46:11). How we use that gift will determine whether it is a strength or a weakness to us. If we use it for selfish reasons or to lead people away from the truth, it is a major weakness. Alma spoke with flattery, which implies manipulation and ill-intent. On the other hand, if we are humble and have faith, Christ will make that same gift a strength. Alma later spoke with sincerity and righteous desires.

How can I make sure that I am using my gifts in a way that they can be a strength? The verse in Ether tells us to be humble, rely on Christ’s grace, and have faith in Him. Personal conversion to Jesus Christ makes all the difference.

We extend grace to others in our life by recognizing that they, too, can access Christ’s power to have their weakness become strength. Sometimes we see traits in others that we decide are challenges to overcome. But instead, we could see those traits as gifts from God that perhaps could stand to be refined. I believe one of the blessings of raising or working with the rising generation is the opportunity to help them refine their gifts, learn to rely on the grace of Christ, and develop those defining traits into wonderful strengths. It is inspiring to observe this process in someone and an absolute privilege to accompany someone on that journey.

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Megan Rawlins Woods is senior director of the nonpartisan root at Mormon Women for Ethical Government.

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