rely on Him

In chapter 21 of the book of Mosiah, the people of king Limhi are in bondage because they ignored the prophet and chose to not repent. The Lamanites attacked the people of king Limhi and overpowered them, but instead of killing them, the Lamanites forced them to pay tribute of one half of all they possessed. The people of king Limhi didn't want to be enslaved by the Lamanites and tried to fight back. However, "there was no way that they could deliver themselves out of their hands, for the Lamanites had surrounded them on every side" (Mosiah 21:5). This didn't stop them from trying to deliver themselves, and three times the people of Limhi went up to battle against the Lamanites and were badly beaten. After their third attempt to deliver themselves from their captors, the people of king Limhi were finally humbled and turned to God. It was when they were in the depths of humility that "the Lord did hear their cries and began to soften the hearts of the Lamanites that they began to ease their burdens" (Mosiah 21:15).

The people of king Limhi weren't able to overcome their problems on their own. Each attempt to deliver themselves was a colossal failure. It was only when they humbled themselves and relied wholly upon the Lord that their burdens began to become lighter and they eventually were able to escape bondage. I've had experiences in my own life where I reacted to adversity like the people of king Limhi. At one point or another, I think all of us have. I've been faced with problems or daunting tasks, and, instead of relying on the Lord, I relied on my own abilities to resolve it. But in each situation, the only way it was resolved was when I humbled myself and remembered to rely on the Lord. Over and over again the Lord has delivered me despite my imperfections, and I know He will continue to do so for each of us when we recognize our reliance on Him and trust in His almighty hand.