As a bishop, my most serious trial came about three years into my calling. I felt—in many ways—like I had been cruising along pretty well when I was abruptly met with a heavy burden. It was a difficult situation that I needed to deal with, but the burden felt extraordinarily heavy. The weight of someone’s sins literally consumed and overwhelmed me. For a moment, I remember thinking that the burden of being a bishop was something I was not interested in anymore. For a moment, I was ready to be done; I felt spiritually sick. I didn’t want to deal with the trials that were coming for this individual. I felt a little like Alma did after observing the Zoramites, “O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people” (Alma 31:31).

In this instance, I literally followed the pattern of Alma and I cried unto the Lord for help and for strength. I know this is not always the case, but almost instantly, the Lord quickly visited me. He told me these were His burdens and He would take care of them. After this sacred spiritual visit, my soul felt lifted and the burden of my calling felt lighter. In this situation, the Lord had sprinted to my aid in a matter of a few minutes after my prayer. Peace returned and I knew I could confidently move forward to assist the Lord with this trying situation. He again fulfilled His promise, “And God did hear our cries and did answer our prayers” (Mosiah 9:18).