28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.
Ammon witnessed that they in fact didn’t quit. That they went among the Lamanites and they were indeed afflicted with sore trials and were patient in their many sufferings— which we can only imagine. They had gone forth, as Jesus disciples of old, and amazingly like some of the early missionaries in this dispensation, without purse or scrip. In other words, with nothing but the clothes on their back, relying completely and utterly and helplessly on the mercy of Lord- and their brother’s keepers, who in this case were their mortal enemies, the Lamanites.
Did the Lord provide? Yes. Did they suffer in the process? Yes. Did it further humble them and strengthen their faith and prepare them for their mission? Perhaps. Was their a reason for it? Could not the Lord have provided sufficient food and shelter and caring people to make them comfortable and fed and sheltered? Yes. I suppose He could have provided manna if He wanted.
But they suffered privation and hunger and thirst and the elements and no doubt abusive people. All, perhaps, as part of the refining process. All perhaps as part of a test to see if they really were sincere in their commitment and desire to bless their brothers. All perhaps as part of some divine price to pay in order to be mighty instruments in God’s hands to perform miracles.
Whatever the case, they suffered, they endured, and they were blessed.
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