This scripture came up today in Gospel Doctrine.

…he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. (Alma 7:12)

I find this interesting. Alma the Younger says here that Jesus took upon himself our own infirmities so He may know how to succour us. It always amazes me the steps the Savour took to help us. Not only has he sacrificed Himself that we may be washed clean of our sins and live again with glorified bodies, He has made it possible somehow to completely understand what we experience when we go through infirmities.

Despite having never committed adultery, He knows the pains of guilt the adulterer feels and the feelings of anger that run through the heart of the adulterer’s spouse. He knows the grief of those who have lost their beloved. He knows the sadness that accompanies heartbreak. He knows the feelings of abandonment, neglect, pain, despair, jealousy and others all without having to experience the normal actions that produce those feelings.

This sort of selfless loves reminds me of another passage in Mosiah 4, where King Benjamin counsels with those present, in part, the following:

…ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor…(v. 16)

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