29 And when Ammon 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; nevertheless they were patient in all their sufferings.
Ammon’s loving heart was breaking as he saw the condition of his brothers in Christ. Naked, probably evacuated from hunger, their flesh raw from their ropes which held them bound, and “all kinds of afflictions” that we can only imagine.
Mourning with those that mourn, Ammon’s joy in their freedom must have been tempered with sorrow and pain in his heart for their suffering. And perhaps he even said within himself, “Oh God! Why not me! Why did they have to suffer, and not I?”
Nevertheless, their sorrow and suffering would eventually be turned to joy. Even joy as exceeding as was their pain. For that, I believe, is a law of heaven. Our joy and blessing will be commensurate with our suffering in the end. They would in no wise lose their reward, as surely they already have entered into the rest of the Lord, and their future reward and blessing after the judgment day will be even greater.
As it says in D&C 1:10, if I can remember it, as I’ve tried recently to commit it to memory:
“In that day when the Lord shall recompense unto every man according to his works. And measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured unto his fellow man.”
I think that’s pretty close.
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