Bad Luck?
by David K. Swenson / ga10192007

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by challenges, afflictions, burdens, weaknesses or sorrows?  Or perhaps you are one who looks around and just feels like everything is going wrong.  Maybe you've been in a hurry and that's when you get behind some 90 year old guy who is driving 20 MPH in a 40 MPH speed zone, and then you hit every red light.  Bad luck?  Maybe, but sometimes it may be our "lot" to experience such difficulties to help refine us and teach us patience.

In the Book of Mormon we read about the sons of Mosiah.  Along with Alma the Younger, in their early years, they were all real stinkers.  They were always getting into all kinds of trouble and pulling people away from the church.  Then an angel appeared to them and called them to repentance.  They were converted and made a mighty change in their lives.  In fact, they were so converted that they volunteered to go on a mission to the Lamanites to teach them the gospel.  That would be like volunteering to go to the Bagdad, Iraq North Mission.  Lamanites hated Nephites, and they were Nephites, but they went anyway.  Their father, Mosiah blessed them that they would be safe.  So, they left with faith and were fearless.

We all remember the story of Ammon and the great missionary experience he had with King Lamoni.  (See Alma 17:17-39 and Chapters 18 and 19).  What an exciting story to read how Ammon protected the kings' sheep and even cut off the arms of those who attempted to scatter the sheep.  The conversion of King Lamoni is one of the great missionary stories in all the scriptures.

But Ammon's brothers, Aaron, Omner and Himni, were not so fortunate.  Ammon learned that his brothers were in serious trouble and were in prison.  With the help of the newly converted King Lamoni they went to their rescue (Alma 20:29-30).

"And when they did meet them he was exceedingly sorrowful, for behold they were naked, and their skins were worn exceedingly because of being bound with strong cords.  And they also had suffered hunger, thirst, and all kinds of afflictions...."

"And, as it happened, it was their lot to have fallen into the hands of a more hardened and a more stiffnecked people; therefore they would not hearken unto their words."

"Nevertheless, they were patient in all their sufferings."

"As it happened, it was their lot," is another way of saying "bad luck" or added testing and trial from the Lord.  These difficulties can be a blessing in our lives.  Sometimes bad things happen.  But with faith we can be successful.  Oh that we can be like Aaron, Omner and Himni and be patient in ALL our afflictions.  There is nothing like a little hard work, a lot of determined prayer, a positive attitude, and seeking the help of others to lighten our burdens.  In the end, the sons of Mosiah were rescued by Ammon.  Bad luck turned to good luck and the reunion and subsequent blessings were amazing. 

"Success and accomplishment come only to the lucky.  Just ask any failure." (Anonymous)