Micah, I'm sure it's your love for others that causes you to grieve because of these instructions. Perhaps you feel like Amulek in the city of Ammonihah as you mourn for the innocent who suffer for the choices of wicked men:
And when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who were consuming in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of God which is in us, and save them from the flames (Alma 14:10).
We know that the prophet Alma responded that it was done according to the Lord's will, and that they would do nothing to stop it. These moments are difficult to imagine as we contrast the evil and wickedness of men with the infinite love of the Savior. Why would the Lord allow innocent women and children to suffer? It doesn't make
sense.
Fortunately, the scriptures provide clear, concise instructions in moments like these.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).
This is an extremely plain and precious reminder for us. On top of that, we are even told ahead of time what to expect if we set aside our own understanding and place our trust solely in the Lord's wisdom:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14).
For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe (1 Timothy 4:10).
I loved the words barely spoken by Elder Neil L. Andersen in October conference. It's as if he were preparing us for this very issue and (I'm sure) many issues to come.
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is not something ethereal, floating loosely in the air. Faith does not fall upon us by chance or stay with us by birthright. It is, as the scriptures say, “substance … , the evidence of things not seen.” Faith emits a spiritual light, and that light is discernible. Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift from heaven that comes as we choose to believe and as we seek it and hold on to it. Your faith is either growing stronger or becoming weaker. Faith is a principle of power, important not only in this life but also in our progression beyond the veil. By the grace of Christ, we will one day be saved through faith on His name. The future of your faith is not by chance, but by choice (Elder Neil A. Andersen, Faith Is Not by Chance, but by Choice, October 2015).
I love that line. "The future of your faith is not by chance, but by choice." Today is an opportunity for each of us to choose to exercise our faith. Because of the ways the Lord challenges our mortal understanding, we
must rely on faith, especially in this day and age. Prophets are so gentle and encouraging in this regard, though.
...yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words (Alma 32:27).
Brothers and sisters, if you ever think that the gospel isn’t working so well for you, I invite you to step back, look at your life from a higher plane, and simplify your approach to discipleship. Focus on the basic doctrines, principles, and applications of the gospel. I promise that God will guide and bless you on your path to a fulfilling life, and the gospel will definitely work better for you (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, It Works Wonderfully!, October 2015).
I know that we are in the last days and that we'll encounter many, many more situations where, as Paul declared, the Church and the Lord's commandments will appear "foolish" to the natural men of this world. It is for this reason that we must put off the natural man.
For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father (Mosiah 3:19).
Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God (Isaiah 50:10).
It all boils down, yet again, to the simple proverb:
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).