Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Friday, September 30, 2005

Helaman 14 - 16

At the command of an angel, Samuel, the Lamanite returned to the Nephites to say -

"...ye shall hear my words, for, for this intent have I come up upon the walls of this city, that ye might hear and know of the judgments of God which do await you because of your iniquities, and also that ye might know the conditions of repentance..." (Book of Mormon Helaman 14:11)

"And also that ye might know of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and that ye might know of the signs of his coming, to the intent that ye might believe on his name." (Book of Mormon Helaman 14:12)

But not only the signs of his coming, but also

"...a sign of his death." (Book of Mormon Helaman 14:14)

"For behold, he surely must die that salvation may come; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord." (Book of Mormon Helaman 14:15)

Suggesting that not being in the presence of Lord or and endless seperation is a very real death or spiritual death, for the Savior -

"...redeemeth all mankind from the first death—that spiritual death; for all mankind, by the fall of Adam being cut off from the presence of the Lord, are considered as dead, both as to things temporal and to things spiritual.
17 But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord." (Book of Mormon Helaman 14:16 - 17)

But only to the extent to be -

"...brought to stand before the bar of God, to be judged of him according to their works whether they be good or whether they be evil—
11 If they be good, to the resurrection of endless life and happiness; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of endless damnation, being delivered up to the devil, who hath subjected them, which is damnation—" (Book of Mormon Mosiah 16:10 - 11)

The latter again being a spiritual death. The glad tidings of great joy is that the atonement -

"...bringeth to pass the condition of repentance, that whosoever repenteth the same is not hewn down and cast into the fire; but whosoever repenteth not is hewn down and cast into the fire; and there cometh upon them again a spiritual death, yea, a second death, for they are cut off again as to things pertaining to righteousness.
19 Therefore repent ye, repent ye, lest by knowing these things and not doing them ye shall suffer yourselves to come under condemnation, and ye are brought down unto this second death." (Book of Mormon Helaman 14:18 - 19)

For -

"...whosoever will believe might be saved, and that whosoever will not believe, a righteous judgment might come upon them; and also if they are condemned they bring upon themselves their own condemnation." (Book of Mormon Helaman 14:29)

The Lord has set the conditions of mercy. It is our burden to comply!

"...remember, remember...that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free.
31 He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you." (Book of Mormon Helaman 14:30 - 31)

Thursday, September 29, 2005

Helaman 11 - 13

As we study the scriptures -

"...we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him." (Book of Mormon Helaman 12:1)

But we also see that -

"...at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity." (Book of Mormon Helaman 12:2)

As we look around us, it is easy to see -

"...how quick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of men; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their hearts upon the vain things of the world!
5 Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom's paths!" (Book of Mormon Helaman 12:4 - 5)

They are foolish in that -

"...they do not desire that the Lord their God, who hath created them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set at naught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide." (Book of Mormon Helaman 12:6)

Samuel, a Lamanite was cast out of Zarahemla for preaching repentance to the people. As he was returning home -

"...the voice of the Lord came unto him, that he should return again, and prophesy unto the people whatsoever things should come into his heart...[but] they would not suffer that he should enter into the city; therefore he went and got upon the wall thereof, and stretched forth his hand and cried with a loud voice, and prophesied unto the people whatsoever things the Lord put into his heart." (Book of Mormon Helaman 13:3 - 4)

And what was put into his heart was -

"...ye are cursed because of your riches, and also are your riches cursed because ye have set your hearts upon them, and have not hearkened unto the words of him who gave them unto you." (Book of Mormon Helaman 13:21)

"Ye do not remember the Lord your God in the things with which he hath blessed you, but ye do always remember your riches, not to thank the Lord your God for them; yea, your hearts are not drawn out unto the Lord, but they do swell with great pride, unto boasting, and unto great swelling, envyings, strifes, malice, persecutions, and murders, and all manner of iniquities." (Book of Mormon Helaman 13:22)

And because of that -

"...if a man shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer; yea, he will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and do whatsoever your heart desireth—and if a man shall come among you and say this, ye will receive him... ye will lift him up, and ye will give unto him of your substance; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with costly apparel; and because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him." (Book of Mormon Helaman 13:27 - 28)

We see this within the media. We see this amongst celebrities.

"O ye wicked and ye perverse generation; ye hardened and ye stiffnecked people, how long will ye suppose that the Lord will suffer you? Yea, how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides? Yea, how long will ye choose darkness rather than light?" (Book of Mormon Helaman 13:29)

But be warned that the day will come that cursed will be your riches because of iniquity and -

"...in the days of your poverty ye shall cry unto the Lord; and in vain shall ye cry, for your desolation is already come upon you, and your destruction is made sure; and then shall ye weep and howl in that day, saith the Lord of Hosts. And then shall ye lament, and say:
33 O that I had repented,...O that we had remembered the Lord our God in the day that he gave us our riches, and then they would not have become slippery that we should lose them; for behold, our riches are gone from us." (Book of Mormon Helaman 13:32 - 33)

"But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head." (Book of Mormon Helaman 13:38)

Remember that this is wisdom's path -

"...blessed are they who will repent and hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; for these are they that shall be saved.
24 And may God grant, in his great fulness, that men might be brought unto repentance and good works, that they might be restored unto grace for grace, according to their works." (Book of Mormon Helaman 12:23 - 24)

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Helaman 6 - 10

It is interesting during the days of Nephi and Lehi, the sons of Helaman, that -

"...there was peace in all the land, insomuch that the Nephites did go into whatsoever part of the land they would, whether among the Nephites or the Lamanites.
8 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did also go whithersoever they would, whether it were among the Lamanites or among the Nephites; and thus they did have free intercourse one with another, to buy and to sell, and to get gain, according to their desire." (Book of Mormon Helaman 6:7 - 8)

And -

"...the Lamanites had become, the more part of them, a righteous people, insomuch that their righteousness did exceed that of the Nephites, because of their firmness and their steadiness in the faith." (Book of Mormon Helaman 6:1)

While -

"...there were many of the Nephites who had become hardened and impenitent and grossly wicked, insomuch that they did reject the word of God and all the preaching and prophesying which did come among them." (Book of Mormon Helaman 6:2)

And it is during this period that -

"...the people began to grow exceedingly wicked again...The Lord had blessed them so long with the riches of the world that they had not been stirred up to anger, to wars, nor to bloodshed; therefore they began to set their hearts upon their riches; yea, they began to seek to get gain that they might be lifted up one above another; therefore they began to commit secret murders, and to rob and to plunder, that they might get gain....there were many, even among the Nephites...[and] they were more numerous among the more wicked part of the Lamanites. And they were called Gadianton's robbers and murderers.
...when the Lamanites found that there were robbers among them they were exceedingly sorrowful; and they did use every means in their power to destroy them off the face of the earth." (Book of Mormon Helaman 6:16 - 20)

It is interesting that -

"...the Lamanites did hunt the band of robbers of Gadianton; and they did preach the word of God among the more wicked part of them, insomuch that this band of robbers was utterly destroyed from among the Lamanites..." (Book of Mormon Helaman 6:37)

This truth was the same taught of Alma -

"...as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God." (Book of Mormon Alma 31:5)

Nephi continued to teach in the land northward, but -

"...they did reject all his words, insomuch that he could not stay among them, but returned again unto the land of his nativity." (Book of Mormon Helaman 7:3)

He continues to prophesy and preach to the wicked in Zarahemla in all diligence. He prophecies of the murder of the chief judge and the murderer. A few are converted, but it doesn't appear to be many. And as he went to his house -

"...pondering—being much cast down because of the wickedness of the people of the Nephites..." (Book of Mormon Helaman 10:3)

Came a voice saying -

"...Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.
5 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word..." (Book of Mormon Helaman 10:4 - 5)

Why would the Lord give such a great promise?

"...for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will." (Book of Mormon Helaman 10:5)

What a marvelous thing that Nephi had sought so diligently to do the will of the Lord, that the Lord knew he would do nothing contrary to his will, with the promise -

"...I give unto you power, that whatsoever ye shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven; and thus shall ye have power among this people." (Book of Mormon Helaman 10:7)

We recognize Nephi's desire to do the Lord's will for -

"...when the Lord had spoken these words unto Nephi, he did stop and did not go unto his own house, but did return unto the multitudes who were scattered about upon the face of the land, and began to declare unto them the word of the Lord which had been spoken unto him, concerning their destruction if they did not repent." (Book of Mormon Helaman 10:12)

And so great was Nephi's desire to do the Lord's will that -

"...the power of God was with him, and they could not take him to cast him into prison, for he was taken by the Spirit and conveyed away out of the midst of them... thus he did go forth in the Spirit, from multitude to multitude, declaring the word of God, even until he had declared it unto them all, or sent it forth among all the people." (Book of Mormon Helaman 10:16 - 17)

May we have such a great desire to do the Lord's will. "Thy will be done."

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Helaman 4 - 5

Helaman tells his sons, Nephi and Lehi -

"...I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good." (Book of Mormon Helaman 5:6)

I was touched with the admonishment that followed -

"...my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written..." (Book of Mormon Helaman 5:7)

I began to ponder, I can't imagine anything that I would desire more than some future record suggesting that I did that which was good. But even with this sincere desire, I must remember the purpose for which to do good -

"...that ye may not do these things that ye may boast, but that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not away; yea, that ye may have that precious gift of eternal life..." (Book of Mormon Helaman 5:8)

In doing so, I must -

"...remember, remember...the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world..." (Book of Mormon Helaman 5:9)

"...remember...the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins.
11 And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls..." (Book of Mormon Helaman 5:10 - 11)

"...remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." (Book of Mormon Helaman 5:12)

The secret here is to "remember, remember". Both Nephi & Lehi did -

"...did remember his words; and therefore they went forth, keeping the commandments of God, to teach the word of God among all the people of Nephi..." (Book of Mormon Helaman 5:14)

And among the Lamanites. I would write of their teaching among the Lamanites I choose not to in this blog because it would be lengthy and I doubt I could express the emotions I feel of that which is recorded in the 5th Chapter of Helaman. I encourage any reader to read of this event on their own. I can promise, if read in faith and an open heart, the Spirit of the Lord will witness it's truthfulness.

Monday, September 26, 2005

Alma 58 - Helaman 3

Yesterday, at sat in council as a member of our stake related a series of bad choices he had made in his life. He seemed willing to meet with us as if he expected that this event would eventually take place. At first, as he began to recall many of the events in his life, he seemed very business like, indifferent as he related the facts. As he spoke, describing his circumstances and choices that he had made, the more he related the anguish and pain that had subsequently followed. It seemed that he himself began to recognize that -

"...wickedness never was happiness..." (Book of Mormon Alma 41:10)

I am sure that as he entered the room that morning that he never had anticipated the transformations of feelings that would overpower him. This man, who had been totally inactive for years, began recalling some the the feelings that he had experience in the mission field and it seemed to touch his heart. As he later left the room, there was a sincere spark that seemed to have been ignited within him. I wished I had the ability to somehow help him understand the words of Mormon I read this morning describing the penitent that come unto Christ -

"...Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name.
28 Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God.
29 Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked—
30 And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out." (Book of Mormon Helaman 3:27 - 30)

This great blessing is given to the penitent as -

"...they [do] fast and pray oft, and [do] wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God." (Book of Mormon Helaman 3:35)

I declare that I have found these words to be true.

Friday, September 23, 2005

Alma 56 - 57

The people of Ammon were the converted Lamanites who felt that -

"...since God hath taken away our stains, and our swords have become bright, then let us stain our swords no more with the blood of our brethren." (Book of Mormon Alma 24:12)

And with a covenant -

"...they did bury them up deep in the earth.18 And this they did, it being in their view a testimony to God, and also to men, that they never would use weapons again for the shedding of man's blood; and this they did, vouching and covenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives..." (Book of Mormon Alma 24:17 - 18)

Many years later, at a time when the liberty of the Nephites were at stake, and -

"when they saw the danger, and the many afflictions and tribulations which the Nephites bore for them, they were moved with compassion and were desirous to take up arms in the defence of their country.14 But...they were overpowered by the persuasions of Helaman and his brethren, for they were about to break the oath which they had made." (Book of Mormon Alma 53:13 - 14)

"But...they had many sons, who had not entered into a covenant that they would not take their weapons of war to defend themselves against their enemies; therefore they did assemble themselves together at this time, as many as were able to take up arms, and they called themselves Nephites.17 And they entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites..." (Book of Mormon Alma 53:16 - 17)

"...there were two thousand of those young men...And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted...they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him..." (Book of Mormon Alma 53:18 - 21)

"...and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness..." (Book of Mormon Alma 57:21)

And because of their trust, faith, and obedience, one of the greater miracles in scripture is demonstrated. When confronted with their first battle, Helaman asked them -

"...what say ye, my sons, will ye go against them to battle?45 And ... never had I seen so great courage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites.46 For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone..." (Book of Mormon Alma 56:44 - 46)

And how did these young men develop so much faith, Helaman tells us -

"..Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it." (Book of Mormon Alma 56:47 - 48)

After their first battle with much slaughter among the Nephite and Lamanite warriors, Helaman recalls -

"...I numbered those young men who had fought with me, fearing lest there were many of them slain.56 But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength; and with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war." (Book of Mormon Alma 56:55 - 56)

After another more intense battle, Helaman marvels -

"...that after the Lamanites had fled, I immediately gave orders that my men who had been wounded should be taken from among the dead, and caused that their wounds should be dressed.25 And it came to pass that there were two hundred, out of my two thousand and sixty, who had fainted because of the loss of blood; nevertheless, according to the goodness of God, and to our great astonishment, and also the joy of our whole army, there was not one soul of them who did perish; yea, and neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds.26 And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power..." (Book of Mormon Alma 57:24 - 26)

Helaman follows with this explanation -

"...Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually." (Book of Mormon Alma 57:27)

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Alma 53 - 55

In these chapters we learn a little bit about the character of Moroni. When Ammoron sent an epistle to Moroni desiring to exchange prisoners -

"...Moroni felt to rejoice exceedingly...for he desired the provisions which were imparted for the support of the Lamanite prisoners for the support of his own people; and he also desired his own people for the strengthening of his army." (Book of Mormon Alma 54:2)

You can help but sense with these words that Moroni was humane with the Lamanite prisoners. He followed with an epistle backto Ammoron -

"...I have written unto you somewhat concerning this war which ye have waged against my people...I would tell you somewhat concerning the justice of God, and the sword of his almighty wrath, which doth hang over you except ye repent and withdraw your armies into your own lands, or the land of your possessions, which is the land of Nephi.
7 Yea, ...if ye were capable of hearkening unto them; yea, I would tell you concerning that awful hell that awaits to receive such murderers as thou and thy brother have been, except ye repent and withdraw your murderous purposes, and return with your armies to your own lands.
8 But as ye have once rejected these things, and have fought against the people of the Lord, even so I may expect you will do it again...But, as the Lord liveth, our armies shall come upon you except ye withdraw, and ye shall soon be visited with death, for we will retain our cities and our lands; yea, and we will maintain our religion and the cause of our God.
(Book of Mormon Alma 54:5 - 10)

Upon receiving another epistle from Ammoron full of false accusations and truths, Moroni -

"...was more angry, because he knew that Ammoron had a perfect knowledge of his fraud; yea, he knew that Ammoron knew that it was not a just cause that had caused him to wage a war against the people of Nephi.
2 And he said: Behold, I will not exchange prisoners with Ammoron save he will withdraw his purpose, as I have stated in my epistle..." (Book of Mormon Alma 55:1 - 2)

Since Moroni knew where the Nephite prisoners were being held he -

"...resolved upon a stratagem to obtain as many prisoners of the Nephites from the Lamanites as it were possible." (Book of Mormon Alma 54:3)

His strategy included sending wine by a true converted lamanit to the guards of prisoners that they would get drunk and unable to guard the prison city and -

"...this was according to the design of Moroni. And Moroni had prepared his men with weapons of war; and he went to the city Gid, while the Lamanites were in a deep sleep and drunken, and cast in weapons of war unto the prisoners, insomuch that they were all armed;
17 Yea, even to their women, and all those of their children, as many as were able to use a weapon of war, when Moroni had armed all those prisoners; and all those things were done in a profound silence." (Book of Mormon Alma 55:16 - 17)

The nephites could have easily slain the lamanite guards but -

"...this was not the desire of Moroni; he did not delight in murder or bloodshed, but he delighted in the saving of his people from destruction..." (Book of Mormon Alma 55:19)

"...But he had obtained his desires; for he had armed those prisoners of the Nephites who were within the wall of the city, and had given them power to gain possession of those parts which were within the walls.
21 And then he caused the men who were with him to withdraw a pace from them, and surround the armies of the Lamanites.
22 Now behold this was done in the night–time, so that when the Lamanites awoke in the morning they beheld that they were surrounded by the Nephites without, and that their prisoners were armed within." (Book of Mormon Alma 55:20 - 22)

And with that -

"...their chief captains demanded their weapons of war, and they brought them forth and cast them at the feet of the Nephites, pleading for mercy.
24 Now behold, this was the desire of Moroni. He took them prisoners of war, and took possession of the city, and caused that all the prisoners should be liberated, who were Nephites..." (Book of Mormon Alma 55:23 - 24)

And did all this without shedding blood.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Alma 51 - 52

While Pahoran served as the Chief Judge, there was a part of the people that felt -

"...who desired that a few particular points of the law should be altered." (Book of Mormon Alma 51:2)

But -

"...Pahoran would not alter nor suffer the law to be altered; therefore, he did not hearken to those who had sent in their voices with their petitions concerning the altering of the law." (Book of Mormon Alma 51:3)

First impressions may be that Pahoran had an ego and a sense of power and authority in his high position and that he was just unwilling to listen to the people. But any such opinion would be quickly dispelled as we learn that -

"...they were desirous that the law should be altered in a manner to overthrow the free government and to establish a king over the land." (Book of Mormon Alma 51:5)

That does not sound like any small altering of the law. Sounds more like an usurp of power and loss of freedoms. Because Pahoran rejected their rebellious attitude, they -

"..were angry with him, and desired that he should no longer be chief judge over the land...and those who were desirous that Pahoran should be dethroned from the judgment–seat were called king–men..." (Book of Mormon Alma 51:4 - 5)

The truth comes out when we learn that -

"...those who were in favor of kings were those of high birth, and they sought to be kings; and they were supported by those who sought power and authority over the people."
(Book of Mormon Alma 51:8)

Sounds typical of some people we know. And with all of this -

"...there arose a warm dispute concerning the matter, but not unto bloodshed." (Book of Mormon Alma 51:4)

Which led to a dividing of the people -

"And those who were desirous that Pahoran should remain chief judge over the land took upon them the name of freemen; and thus was the division among them, for the freemen had sworn or covenanted to maintain their rights and the privileges of their religion by a free government." (Book of Mormon Alma 51:6)

So they decided -

"...that this matter of their contention [should be] settled by the voice of the people." (Book of Mormon Alma 51:7)

Sounds like a civil solution for a free people, and -

"...the voice of the people came in favor of the freemen, and Pahoran retained the judgment–seat, which caused much rejoicing among the brethren of Pahoran and also many of the people of liberty, who also put the king–men to silence, that they durst not oppose but were obliged to maintain the cause of freedom." (Book of Mormon Alma 51:7)

In a time of peace, maybe these two parties could have been remained civil in compliance to the law, but it wasn't for it -

"...was a critical time for such contentions to be among the people of Nephi; for behold, Amalickiah had again stirred up the hearts of the people of the Lamanites against the people of the Nephites, and he was gathering together soldiers from all parts of his land, and arming them, and preparing for war with all diligence..." (Book of Mormon Alma 51:9)

Even then, the two parties could have co-existed if they set aside their differences when faced with a common enemy, but when -

"...the Lamanites were coming down to battle against them, [the king-men] were glad in their hearts; and they refused to take up arms, for they were so wroth with the chief judge, and also with the people of liberty, that they would not take up arms to defend their country." (Book of Mormon Alma 51:13)

If you were head of the government, what would you do? Not do anything? Allow succession of the king-men? Pahoran did probably the same thing Abraham Lincoln would do. He would would stop dissention and maintain free men's interests, liberty, and freedom.

And in accordance with the voice of the people, allowed Moroni

"...to put an end to such contentions and dissensions among the people; for behold, this had been hitherto a cause of all their destruction." (Book of Mormon Alma 51:16)

And -

"...Moroni commanded that his army should go against those king–men, to pull down their pride and their nobility and level them with the earth, or they should take up arms and support the cause of liberty... and there were four thousand of those dissenters who were hewn down by the sword; and those of their leaders who were not slain in battle were taken and cast into prison, for there was no time for their trials at this period.
20 And the remainder of those dissenters, rather than be smitten down to the earth by the sword, yielded to the standard of liberty, and were compelled to hoist the title of liberty upon their towers, and in their cities, and to take up arms in defence of their country.
21 And thus Moroni put an end to those king–men, that there were not any known by the appellation of king–men; and thus he put an end to the stubbornness and the pride of those people who professed the blood of nobility; but they were brought down to humble themselves like unto their brethren, and to fight valiantly for their freedom from bondage." (Book of Mormon Alma 51:17 - 21)

This scenerio of these events have many similarities to our own Civil War.

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Alma 47 - 50

When it came to protecting their freedoms, the Nephites did -

"...that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God..." (Book of Mormon Alma 43:46)

For the Lord had specifically told them that -

"...Inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the first offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain by the hands of your enemies." (Book of Mormon Alma 43:46)

And if necessary -

"...Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed." (Book of Mormon Alma 43:47)


And with that they were -

"..to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion." (Book of Mormon Alma 43:47)

There are some that take "Thou shalt not kill" as a all encompassing commandment. But Throught out scripture there many examples where killing became necessary. Killing is not necessarily murder for the Nephites -

"...were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary; yea, and they were also taught never to give an offense, yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives." (Book of Mormon Alma 48:14)

And -

"..this was their faith, that by so doing God would prosper them in the land, or in other words, if they were faithful in keeping the commandments of God that he would prosper them in the land; yea, warn them to flee, or to prepare for war, according to their danger;
16 And also, that God would make it known unto them whither they should go to defend themselves against their enemies, and by so doing, the Lord would deliver them..." (Book of Mormon Alma 48:15 - 16)

And their leader Moroni, Mormon said -

"...and this was the faith of Moroni, and his heart did glory in it; not in the shedding of blood but in doing good, in preserving his people, yea, in keeping the commandments of God, yea, and resisting iniquity." (Book of Mormon Alma 48:16)

You can sense in Mormon's writing a sincere personal respect for Moroni. Moroni must have come to be an idol of Mormon so to speak in that many generations later, Mormon was also a defender of liberty and righteousness. Mormon even gave his son the same name. Honoring Moroni, he said -

"...verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.
18 Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah, yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God." (Book of Mormon Alma 48:17 - 18)

I too have come to know men that I could make the same statement of.

Monday, September 19, 2005

Alma 44 - 46

Concerning this land, Alma said to his son Helaman -

"...Thus saith the Lord God—Cursed shall be the land, yea, this land, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, unto destruction, which do wickedly, when they are fully ripe..." (Book of Mormon Alma 45:16)

When is it that people become "fully ripe"? When they-

"...dwindle in unbelief and fall into the works of darkness, and lasciviousness, and all manner of iniquities; yea, ...because they shall sin against so great light and knowledge..." (Book of Mormon Alma 45:12)

"So great light and knowledge" meaning that they once knew what was right and of their own free will, chose that which wasn't, for -

"...we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord their God, yea, how quick to do iniquity, and to be led away by the evil one." (Book of Mormon Alma 46:8)

As a result of -

"...they [grow] proud, being lifted up in their hearts, because of their exceedingly great riches; therefore they [grow] rich in their own eyes, and [do] not give heed to [prophets] words, to walk uprightly before God." (Book of Mormon Alma 45:24)

Moroni, a righteous captian of the Nephite army stated that this land is -

"...A chosen land, and the land of liberty...and surely God shall not suffer that we, who are despised because we take upon us the name of Christ, shall be trodden down and destroyed, until we bring it upon us by our own transgressions." (Book of Mormon Alma 46:17 - 18)

suggesting that they themselves would perish

"...if we do not stand fast in the faith of Christ." (Book of Mormon Alma 46:27)

Because Moroni understood that -

"...the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance." Book of Mormon Alma 45:16)

Learning of the dissension and wickedness of a prideful group of Nephites, Moroni -

"...rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.
13 And he fastened on his head–plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty)..." (Book of Mormon Alma 46:12 - 13)


And Moroni challenged the people -

"...whosoever will maintain this title upon the land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lord, and enter into a covenant that they will maintain their rights, and their religion, that the Lord God may bless them." (Book of Mormon Alma 46:20)

And -

"...he went forth among the people, waving the rent part of his garment in the air, that all might see the writing which he had written upon the rent part, and crying...whosoever will maintain this title upon the land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lord, and enter into a covenant that they will maintain their rights, and their religion, that the Lord God may bless them." (Book of Mormon Alma 46:19 - 20)

and the -

"...people came running together with their armor girded about their loins, rending their garments in token, or as a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God; or, in other words, if they should transgress the commandments of God, or fall into transgression, and be ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ, the Lord should rend them even as they had rent their garments." (Book of Mormon Alma 46:21)

And seeing the peoples great faith, a few of the dissenters fled while many entered into a covenant to support the cause of freedom. And -

"...Moroni planted the standard of liberty among the Nephites.
37 And they began to have peace again in the land..." (Book of Mormon Alma 46:36 - 37)

Peace tends to follow the righteous, while destruction follows the wicked.

Friday, September 16, 2005

Alma 41 - 43

Alma said to his Corianton -

"...Now, I unfold unto you a mystery...I show unto you one thing which I have inquired diligently of God that I might know—that is concerning the resurrection." (Book of Mormon Alma 40:3)

With this simple statement, Alma gives us some great insight how he came to learn so much about the mysteries of God. When Laman and Lemuel confessed that they did not understand the scriptures, Nephi asked -

"...Have ye inquired of the Lord?" (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:8)

Alma had already understood this concept for as he spoke to the Zoramites, he taught -

"...It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.
10 And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
11 And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries..." (Book of Mormon Alma 12:9 - 11)

What is this mystery that Alma desired so much to understand? It is that

"...there is a time appointed unto men that they shall rise from the dead; and there is a space between the time of death and the resurrection." (Book of Mormon Alma 40:9)

'...it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life." (Book of Mormon Alma 40:11)

And -

"...the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow." (Book of Mormon Alma 40:12)

But -

"...the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil." (Book of Mormon Alma 40:13)

"Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection." (Book of Mormon Alma 40:14)

"...there is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works." (Book of Mormon Alma 40:21)

And what is the resurrection?

"The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame." (Book of Mormon Alma 40:23)

I find the word "restore" to be very definitive. Alma again taught his son, Corianton -

"...that the plan of restoration is requisite with the justice of God; for it is requisite that all things should be restored to their proper order. Behold, it is requisite and just, according to the power and resurrection of Christ, that the soul of man should be restored to its body, and that every part of the body should be restored to itself." (Book of Mormon Alma 41:2)

Because restoration is required by justice, the very meaning of restoration is to restore as it was. Alma said -

"...it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good.
4 And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper order..." (Book of Mormon Alma 41:3 - 4)

"...one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil according to his desires of evil..." (Book of Mormon Alma 41:5)

Do you suppose -

"...that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness?" (Book of Mormon Alma 41:10)

"...is the meaning of the word restoration to take a thing of a natural state and place it in an unnatural state, or to place it in a state opposite to its nature?" (Book of Mormon Alma 41:12)

No! The very -

"...meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish—good for that which is good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful." (Book of Mormon Alma 41:13)

For -

"...wickedness never was happiness." (Book of Mormon Alma 41:10)

Therefore -

"...see that you are merciful...deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again." (Book of Mormon Alma 41:14)

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Alma 37 - 40

Alma said to Helaman –

“…my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it.” (Book of Mormon Alma 37:38)

Here, Alma is referring to the instrument Lehi found as he –

“…arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness.” (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:10)

The ball must have been very unique in that -

“…there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness.” (Book of Mormon Alma 37:39)

“And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done…” (Book of Mormon Alma 37:40)

The spindles within the ball must have been very easy to follow. But as easy as it was, it must have required a great deal of faith in that the spindles were pointing them in the direction they should go, for -

"...if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day." (Book of Mormon Alma 37:40)

These miracles must not have been overwhelming miracles, but must have seemed rather simple and easy, for -

“…because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey;
42 Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions” (Book of Mormon Alma 37:41 - 42)

Alma used the Liahona as an analogy in teaching helaman obedience -

“…my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual.
44 For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land”. (Book of Mormon Alma 37:43 - 44)

To see that Helaman understood, he asked -

"...is there not a type in this thing?" (Book of Mormon Alma 37:45)

Or in other words, do not the words of Christ give us direction in that which we should do? Is it really that difficult to read his words and obey?

"...For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise." (Book of Mormon Alma 37:45)

And these are the words of Christ spoken by Alma to his sons, Helaman and Shiblon -

"...cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day." (Book of Mormon Alma 37:36 - 37)

"...I would that ye would be diligent and temperate in all things.
11 See that ye are not lifted up unto pride; yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength.
12 Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness.
13 Do not pray...to be heard of men, and to be praised for their wisdom....but rather say: O Lord, forgive my unworthiness, and remember my brethren in mercy—yea, acknowledge your unworthiness before God at all times." (Book of Mormon Alma 38:10 - 14)

"...that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness." (Book of Mormon Alma 38:9)

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Alma 34 - 36

Jacob explained the purpose of the Law of Moses and why his people continued to follow it. It was because -

...they believed in Christ and worshiped the Father in his name, and also we worship the Father in his name. And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness, even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto the commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son." (Book of Mormon Jacob 4:5)

Nephi also said -

"And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:24)

Amulek taught the Zoramites that -

"...it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice, and then shall there be, or it is expedient there should be, a stop to the shedding of blood; then shall the law of Moses be fulfilled..." (Book of Mormon Alma 34:13)

"...For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice." (Book of Mormon Alma 34:10)

A sacrifice of him that is infinite and eternal, for -

"...this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.
(Book of Mormon Alma 34:14)

"...for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made." (Book of Mormon Alma 34:9)

Amulek testified -

"...I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world..." (Book of Mormon Alma 34:8)

And with that -

"...he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.
16 And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption." (Book of Mormon Alma 34:15 - 16)

Amulek then describes what the Lord expects of those who desire such mercy -

" may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you;
18 Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save.
19 Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.
20 Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.
21 Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid–day, and evening.
22 Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.
23 Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness.
24 Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.
25 Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.
26 But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.
27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you." (Book of Mormon Alma 34:17 - 27)

And in addition to -

"...I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.
29 Therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth) and is trodden under foot of men." (Book of Mormon Alma 34:28 - 29)

Amulek also warns that time is of the essence -

"...I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed." (Book of Mormon Alma 34:33)

Why? Because -

"...Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.
35 For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked...because the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous..." (Book of Mormon Alma 34:34 - 36)

And in closing, Amulek exhorts -

"...take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you...be watchful unto prayer continually, that ye may not be led away by the temptations of the devil, that he may not overpower you, that ye may not become his subjects at the last day; for behold, he rewardeth you no good thing...have patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions; that ye do not revile against those who do cast you out...lest ye become sinners like unto them..." (Book of Mormon Alma 34:38 - 4o)

And finally -

"...have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions." (Book of Mormon Alma 34:41)

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Alma 33

The prophet Zenos said concerning worship and prayer, that God did heard his prayers –

“…when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and thou didst turn them to me. (Book of Mormon Alma 33:4)

“…when I did cry unto thee in my field…thou didst hear me.” (Book of Mormon Alma 33:5)

“…when I did turn to my house thou didst hear me in my prayer.” (Book of Mormon Alma 33:6)

“…thou hast been merciful unto me, and heard my cries in the midst of thy congregations.” (Book of Mormon Alma 33:9)

“…thou hast also heard me when I have been cast out and have been despised by mine enemies…” (Book of Mormon Alma 33:10)

But not just him only, but –

“…thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto thee, to be heard of thee and not of men, and thou wilt hear them.” (Book of Mormon Alma 33:8)

As I read the words of Zenos, I thought it was interesting that as he describes his prayers to God touching upon his sins, sickness, pain, suffering, affliction, repentance, and so on, there was distinct reference to that of the Savior and the atonement –

“…thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son.” (Book of Mormon Alma 33:11)

Alma taught the people of Gideon -

"...And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people…and 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…the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance…” (Book of Mormon Alma 7:11 - 13)

It seems interesting to me that for some reason, that throughout history, the natural man refuses to believe in the atonement of the Savior. In fact, in many cases they become rather active against it. The prophet Zenock prayed –

“…Thou art angry, O Lord, with this people, because they will not understand thy mercies which thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son.” (Book of Mormon Alma 33:16)

And –

“…because the people would not understand his words they stoned him to death.” (Book of Mormon Alma 33:17)

Even in Old Testament days, the Savior –

“…was spoken of by Moses; yea, and behold a type was raised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it might live. And many did look and live.” (Book of Mormon Alma 33:19)

But again –

“…few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them.” (Book of Mormon Alma 33:20)

That seems so ridiculous, but is it not the same today? Alma asked the Zoramites –

“…if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish?” (Book of Mormon Alma 33:21)

In summary, to all people, if ye desire not to perish –

“..then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works….And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will.” (Book of Mormon Alma 33:22 - 23)

Monday, September 12, 2005

Alma 30 - 32

Alma gave the Zoramites a great definition of faith -

"...faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." (Book of Mormon Alma 32:21)

Alma suggests several conditions of faith -

  1. It is not to have perfect knowledge.
  2. Ye hope for things not seen.
  3. It must be true!

You can't have faith if it isn't true. It would only be then a belief.

So how do you know where to exhibit your faith without knowledge of its truth?

Alma answers that question with an analogy to the Zoramites. First he teaches -

"...Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge." (Book of Mormon Alma 32:26)

But -

"...if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words." (Book of Mormon Alma 32:27)

And to do explain this experiment, he says -

"...we will compare the word unto a seed. " (Book of Mormon Alma 32:28)

"...Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me." (Book of Mormon Alma 32:28)

Alma suggests that by planting hope in the words of Christ in your heart, that is exerting a sufficient leve of belief obeying those words, if it be true, something will happen. You will sense something wonderful and joyful growing within you - if it is true! And if this be the case, Alma asks -

"...would not this increase your faith?" (Book of Mormon Alma 32:29)

He answers "Yea", but -

"...it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge." (Book of Mormon Alma 32:29)

"...but if it groweth not, behold it is not good, therefore it is cast away." (Book of Mormon Alma 32:32)

But if -

...the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And ...ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow...And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good. (Book of Mormon Alma 32:30 - 33)

This is faith in that you now have hope in that which you know is true for -

"...every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness." (Book of Mormon Alma 32:31)

And the more you excercise faith in a few of his words, Alma asks -

"...behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand." (Book of Mormon Alma 32:34)

In that way you can say you "know" that it is true but still exhibit faith or hope in that which is unseen.

"...because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good..."(Book of Mormon Alma 32:35)

But the fact you know it is true, is your knowledge perfect requiring no more faith?

"...Nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good." (Book of Mormon Alma 32:36)

But as the seed or tree beginneth to grow you must -

"...nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit..." (Book of Mormon Alma 32:37)

Because even though you may know it is true or a good seed -

"...if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.
39 Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof." (Book of Mormon Alma 32:38 - 39)

I know that -

"...if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root...and because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst..." (Book of Mormon Alma 32:41 - 43)

Friday, September 09, 2005

Alma 23 - 29

Alma, son of Alma, was at one time -

"...a very wicked and an idolatrous man. And he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities.
9 And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church of God; stealing away the hearts of the people; causing much dissension among the people; giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them... for he did go about secretly with the sons of Mosiah seeking to destroy the church, and to lead astray the people of the Lord..." (Book of Mormon Mosiah 27:8 - 10)

Ammon, one of the sons of Mosiah, recalled to his brothers Aaron, Omner, and Himni that they had at one time gone -

"...forth even in wrath, with mighty threatenings to destroy his church." (Book of Mormon Alma 26:18)

But after their marvelous conversion, Alma and the sons of Mosiah became five of the most renown missionaries of scriptural record. Alma, being ordained the presiding high priest over the Church, proselyted in many Nephite cities and villages including to the wicked and hard-hearted people of Ammonihah. Ammon and his brethren spent fourteen years of missionary service amongst the Lamanites, a "stiffnecked" people. For as Ammon recalls -

...whose hearts delight in the shedding of blood; whose days have been spent in the grossest iniquity; whose ways have been the ways of a transgressor from the beginning?" (Book of Mormon Alma 26:24)

Who -

"...have taught their children that they should hate [the Nephites], and that they should murder them, and that they should rob and plunder them, and do all they could to destroy them; therefore they have an eternal hatred towards the children of Nephi.
(Book of Mormon Mosiah 10:17)

After having great success, both Ammon and Alma share their thoughts and feelings of their missionary service.

As the sons of Mosiah returned from their mission amongst the Lamanites, Ammon is overwhelmed with emotion and expresses to his companions -

"...My brothers and my brethren...how great reason have we to rejoice; for...how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of God!" (Book of Mormon Alma 26:1 - 3)

"Behold, thousands of them...have been brought into the fold of God." (Book of Mormon Alma 26:4)

"...And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work." (Book of Mormon Alma 26:3)

Aaron becomes somewhat concerned and rebukes Ammon saying -

"...I fear that thy joy doth carry thee away unto boasting...." (Book of Mormon Alma 26:10)

To which Ammon lovingly responds -

"...I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom...I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land...and they are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word which is in us, yea, and we have been instruments in his hands of doing this great and marvelous work." (Book of Mormon Alma 26:11 - 15)

And then with much emotion, Ammon expresses -

"...my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God... many thousands of our brethren [have been]brought to sing redeeming love...therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?
14 Yea, we have reason to praise him forever, for he is the Most High God...Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." (Book of Mormon Alma 26:11 - 16)

Ammon then teaches a great doctrine -

"...my brethren, what natural man is there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweth these things, save it be the penitent.
22 Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed..." (Book of Mormon Alma 26:21 - 22)

Ammon ends with this testimony -

"...Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever." (Book of Mormon Alma 26:37)

Alma expresses his great missionary desire with -

"O THAT I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!
2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth." (Book of Mormon Alma 29:1 - 2)

And then with humility follows -

"But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.
4 I ought not to harrow up in my desires, the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction." (Book of Mormon Alma 29:3 - 4)

"Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?
7 Why should I desire that I were an angel, that I could speak unto all the ends of the earth?" (Book of Mormon Alma 29:6 - 7)

And very much like Ammon, Alma expresses -

"I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy." (Book of Mormon Alma 29:9)

In modern day, just like Alma and Ammon, the Lord has promised to all who are called to preach -

"Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!"..(Doctrine and Covenants Section 18:14 - 16)

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Alma 20 - 22

The Prophet Joseph Smith explained -

"We believe that the first principles...of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance..." (Pearl of Great Price Articles of Faith 1:4)

As Aaron, the brother of Ammon, administered to Lamoni's father, king over all the land of the Lamanites, the King asked -

"..What is this that ye have said concerning the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, this is the thing which doth trouble me.
6 And also, what is this that Ammon said—If ye will repent ye shall be saved, and if ye will not repent, ye shall be cast off at the last day?" (Book of Mormon Alma 22:5 - 6)

Then -

"...when Aaron saw that the king would believe his words, he began... reading the scriptures unto the king...and Aaron did expound unto him the scriptures from the creation of Adam, laying the fall of man before him, and their carnal state and also the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on his name." (Book of Mormon Alma 22:12 - 13)

And then with great faith -

"...the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day?..." (Book of Mormon Alma 22:15)

How much faith? He said -

"...I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy." (Book of Mormon Alma 22:15)

What a commitment of sacrifice. But not only do I see this statement of the king as a great sacrifice, but I also see it as a great act of humility. To forsake his kingdom would mean he was willing to accept the social status as that of all the other Lamanites with no power or authority. Whatever pride he had before was now a non-limiting factor. He was willing to give up his kingdom on earth in hopes to receive the Kingdom of Heaven. But even with this great act of faith and sacrifice, it wasn't enough - it was only the first principle of the gospel. Aaron then teaches the king -

"...If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest." (Book of Mormon Alma 22:16)

After Aaron taught these things -

"...the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying:
18 O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day." (Book of Mormon Alma 22:17 - 18)

It was then that he, like his son Lamoni, experienced a miraculous conversion for -

"... the king stood forth, and began to minister unto them. And he did minister unto them, insomuch that his whole household were converted unto the Lord." (Book of Mormon Alma 22:23)

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." (Old Testament Psalms 34:18)

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Alma 17 - 19

Alma taught -

"...It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.
... and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full." (Book of Mormon Alma 12:9 - 10)

As Alma met his friends, the sons of Mosiah on the road to the land of Gideon, he discovered that they -

"...had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.
3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation..." (Book of Mormon Alma 17:2 - 3)

And also that -

"...they fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might be an instrument in the hands of God to bring, if it were possible, their brethren, the Lamanites, to the knowledge of the truth..." (Book of Mormon Alma 17:9)

As Ammon, one of the sons of Mosiah on a mission to the lamanites, stood before King Lamoni, he tells him -

"..I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto this people, that they may be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true;
35 And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, and also power according to my faith and desires which are in God." (Book of Mormon Alma 18:34 - 35)

As King Lamoni begins to ask questions, Ammon asks -

"...Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things?..."
(Book of Mormon Alma 18:22)

King Lamoni responds -

"...Yea, I will believe all thy words..." (Book of Mormon Alma 18:23)

It is then that Ammon laid before him and his servants the scriptures and among other things -

"...he expounded unto them the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world; and he also made known unto them concerning the coming of Christ, and all the works of the Lord did he make known unto them." (Book of Mormon Alma 18:39)

And the King did not harden his heart but -

"...believed all his words." (Book of Mormon Alma 18:40)

For -

"...he began to cry unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, have mercy; according to thy abundant mercy which thou hast had upon the people of Nephi, have upon me, and my people.
42 And now, when he had said this, he fell unto the earth, as if he were dead." (Book of Mormon Alma 18:41 - 42)

And as promised by the Lord, the mysteries of God began to be unfolded to him, for Ammon recognized -

"...that the dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the light which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness—yea, this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul, yea, he knew that this had overcome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God—" (Book of Mormon Alma 19:6)

And two days later the King arose and testified -

"...behold, I have seen my Redeemer; and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name. " (Book of Mormon Alma 19:13)

And from time and afterward he began to teach -

"...the words which he had heard from the mouth of Ammon; and as many as heard his words believed, and were converted unto the Lord.

And the King, Ammon, and his converted servants -

"...did all declare unto the people the selfsame thing—that their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil." (Book of Mormon Alma 19:31 - 33)

"...thus the Lord did begin to pour out his Spirit upon them; and we see that his arm is extended to all people who will repent and believe on his name." (Book of Mormon Alma 19:36)

"...For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 10:19)

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

Alma 14 - 16

After Alma and Amulek finished their speaking to the people Ammonihah -

"...many of them did believe on his words, and began to repent, and to search the scriptures." (Book of Mormon Alma 14:1)

and even -

"...Zeezrom was astonished at the words which had been spoken; and he also knew concerning the blindness of the minds, which he had caused among the people by his lying words; and his soul began to be harrowed up under a consciousness of his own guilt; yea, he began to be encircled about by the pains of hell.
7 And...he began to cry unto the people, saying: Behold, I am guilty, and these men are spotless before God. And he began to plead for them from that time forth..." (Book of Mormon Alma 14:6 - 7)

"...But the more part of them were desirous that they might destroy Alma and Amulek; for they were angry with Alma, because of the plainness of his words...And they were also angry with Alma and Amulek; and because they had testified so plainly against their wickedness, they sought to put them away privily." (Book of Mormon Alma 14:2 - 3)

"...But...they did not; but they took them and bound them with strong cords..." (Book of Mormon Alma 14:4)

When the hearts of men become so hardened that they will not hear or desire to know the truth, their hearts and desires seem to be more in the line of Satan. And because of their anger, they took -

"...all those who believed in the words which had been spoken by Alma and Amulek; and they cast them out, and sent men to cast stones at them." (Book of Mormon Alma 14:7)

And as if that wasn't devilish enough -

"...they brought their wives and children together, and whosoever believed or had been taught to believe in the word of God they caused that they should be cast into the fire; and they also brought forth their records which contained the holy scriptures, and cast them into the fire also, that they might be burned and destroyed by fire." (Book of Mormon Alma 14:8)

I can't invision a more horrific scene in all of scripture. And in their anger -

"...they took Alma and Amulek, and carried them forth to the place of martyrdom, that they might witness the destruction of those who were consumed by fire." (Book of Mormon Alma 14:9)

I've wondered at times if Amulek had a wife and children in that he said of Alma when they first met -

"...thou wilt be a blessing unto me and my house." (Book of Mormon Alma 8:20)

And if he did have a wife and children, I've wondered if they were some of the believers that Alma and Amulek witnessed were consumed by the fire. For later we learn that Alma, as if Amulek was then alone -

"..took Amulek and came over to the land of Zarahemla, and took him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord." (Book of Mormon Alma 15:18)

Nonetheless, during this horrific event -

"...when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who were consuming in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of God which is in us, and save them from the flames." (Book of Mormon Alma 14:10)

In response, and probably with great difficulty Alma said -

"...The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day." (Book of Mormon Alma 14:11)

In our simple perspective, we may struggle to understand why the Lord may "suffer" this thing. It may be an issue of faith. It may be an act that guarantees salvation. But we do know that he loves his children and will do what is best for them.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD."
(Old Testament Isaiah 55:8)

We do know that Alma and Amulek did have the faith in Christ and power to stop this thing, for later according to the Lord's will of deliverance -

"...they broke the cords with which they were bound; and when the people saw this, they began to flee, for the fear of destruction had come upon them.
27 And it came to pass that so great was their fear that they fell to the earth, and did not obtain the outer door of the prison; and the earth shook mightily, and the walls of the prison were rent in twain, so that they fell to the earth; and the chief judge, and the lawyers, and priests, and teachers, who smote upon Alma and Amulek, were slain by the fall thereof." (Book of Mormon Alma 14:26 - 27)

"And Alma and Amulek came forth out of the prison, and they were not hurt; for the Lord had granted unto them power, according to their faith which was in Christ..." (Book of Mormon Alma 14:28)

And -

"...as to the people that were in the land of Ammonihah, they yet remained a hard–hearted and a stiffnecked people; and they repented not of their sins..." (Book of Mormon Alma 15:15)

A short time later, the prophecies of Alma and Amulek were fulfilled when -

"...the armies of the Lamanites had come...into the borders of the land, even into the city of Ammonihah, and began to slay the people and destroy the city. And...before the Nephites could raise a sufficient army to drive them out of the land, they had destroyed the people who were in the city of Ammonihah..." (Book of Mormon Alma 16:2 - 3)

And -

"every living soul of the Ammonihahites was destroyed, and also their great city, which they said God could not destroy, because of its greatness.
10 But behold, in one day it was left desolate; and the carcases were mangled by dogs and wild beasts of the wilderness.
11 Nevertheless, after many days their dead bodies were heaped up upon the face of the earth, and they were covered with a shallow covering. And now so great was the scent thereof that the people did not go in to possess the land of Ammonihah for many years..." (Book of Mormon Alma 16:9 - 11)

Monday, September 05, 2005

Alma 11 - 13

As Amulek begins to talk to the people of his own city Ammonihah, he tells them -

"...I am...a man of no small reputation among all those who know me; yea, and behold, I have many kindreds and friends, and I have also acquired much riches by the hand of my industry.
5 Nevertheless, after all this, I never have known much of the ways of the Lord, and his mysteries and marvelous power." (Book of Mormon Alma 10:4 - 5)

But then he seems to catch himself -

"...I said I never had known much of these things; but behold, I mistake, for I have seen much of his mysteries and his marvelous power; yea, even in the preservation of the lives of this people.
6 Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against God, in the wickedness of my heart..." (Book of Mormon Alma 10:5 - 6)

I think this may be true for many even in our day in that they don't want to hear, or want to know. They like there lifestyle and choose not listen. But for Amulek, he tells us -

"...As I was journeying to see a very near kindred, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto me and said: Amulek, return to thine own house, for thou shalt feed a prophet of the Lord; yea, a holy man, who is a chosen man of God...and he is an hungered, and thou shalt receive him into thy house and feed him, and he shall bless thee and thy house; and the blessing of the Lord shall rest upon thee and thy house.
8 And it came to pass that I obeyed the voice of the angel, and returned towards my house. And as I was going thither I found the man whom the angel said unto me...and it was this same man who has been speaking unto you concerning the things of God." (Book of Mormon Alma 10:7 - 8)

The key to Amulek's conversion was that he "obeyed" the voice of the angel. Alma followed in his teaching how important it is to have faith and obey -

"...It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.
10 And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full." (Book of Mormon Alma 12:9 - 10)

After Amulek received Alma in his home and did feed him as instructed by the angel, we read that -

"...Alma tarried many days with Amulek..." (Book of Mormon Alma 8:27)

I'm sure it was during this period that Amulek did repented and humbled himself giving heed to words of Alma. By the time Amulek is preaching to the people of Ammonihah, he had come to know much of the "mysteries of God" in that he had been given the "greater portion of the word." This becomes apparent with his profound teachings on the atonement and the resurrection of all men. Zeezrom asked Amulek of the Son of God -

"...Shall he save his people in their sins?..." (Book of Mormon Alma 11:34)

To which Amulek said -

"...he shall not, for it is impossible for him to deny his word." (Book of Mormon Alma 11:34)

After Zeezrom challenges his answer, Amulek explains -

"...I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins." (Book of Mormon Alma 11:37)

"And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else.
41 Therefore the wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death; for behold, the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead and stand before God, and be judged according to their works." (Book of Mormon Alma 11:40 - 41)

Amulek taught that all will be resurrected in that -

"...The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.
44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil." (Book of Mormon Alma 11:43 - 44)

Alma concludes with the word of the Lord -

"...Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.
35 And whosoever will harden his heart and will do iniquity, behold, I swear in my wrath that he shall not enter into my rest." (Book of Mormon Alma 12:34 - 35)

Friday, September 02, 2005

Alma 9 - 10

As Alma and Amulek began their preaching to people of Ammonihah, the people began to condescendingly contend with Alma saying -

"...Who art thou? ...And they said also: We will not believe thy words if thou shouldst prophesy that this great city should be destroyed in one day." (Book of Mormon Alma 9:2 - 4)

"Who is God, that sendeth no more authority than one man among this people, to declare unto them the truth of such great and marvelous things?" (Book of Mormon Alma 9:6)

As I read these words, I couldn't help but think of the catastropic disaster caused by the hurricane Katrina this past week in New Orleans and other southern cities. I wonder how many arrogant citizens in those cities felt the same way as the people of Ammonihah.

Alma responds back with -

"..have ye forgotten so soon how many times [God] delivered our fathers out of the hands of their enemies, and preserved them from being destroyed...Yea, and if it had not been for his matchless power, and his mercy, and his long-suffering towards us, we should unavoidably have been cut off from the face of the earth long before this period of time, and perhaps been consigned to a state of endless misery and woe." (Book of Mormon Alma 9:10 - 11)

He reminds the people that the Lord had said that -

"...Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land. And ...Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord." (Book of Mormon Alma 9:13)

Then Alma very boldly tells them -

"...now I say unto you that he commandeth you to repent; and except ye repent, ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. But behold, this is not all—he has commanded you to repent, or he will utterly destroy you from off the face of the earth; yea, he will visit you in his anger, and in his fierce anger he will not turn away." (Book of Mormon Alma 9:12)

"...behold, I say unto you that if ye persist in your wickedness that your days shall not be prolonged in the land...and if ye repent not...in a time when you know not, and ye shall be visited with utter destruction; and it shall be according to the fierce anger of the Lord.
19 For he will not suffer you that ye shall live in your iniquities..." (Book of Mormon Alma 9:18 - 19)

Why would the Lord have so much anger? Because

"after having been such a highly favored people of the Lord; yea, after having been favored above every other nation, kindred, tongue, or people; after having had all things made known unto them, according to their desires, and their faith, and prayers, of that which has been, and which is, and which is to come;
21 Having been visited by the Spirit of God; having conversed with angels, and having been spoken unto by the voice of the Lord; and having the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and also many gifts, the gift of speaking with tongues, and the gift of preaching, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the gift of translation;
22 Yea, and after having been delivered...by the hand of the Lord; having been saved from famine, and from sickness, and all manner of diseases of every kind; and they having waxed strong in battle, that they might not be destroyed; having been brought out of bondage time after time, and having been kept and preserved until now; and ...have been prospered until they are rich in all manner of things—" (Book of Mormon Alma 9:20 - 22)

And with all those blessings, Alma says -

"...now behold I say unto you, that if this people, who have received so many blessings from the hand of the Lord, should transgress contrary to the light and knowledge which they do have,...that if ye will rebel against him..." (Book of Mormon Alma 9:23 - 24)

Then -

"...ye shall utterly be destroyed from off the face of the earth..." (Book of Mormon Alma 9:23 - 24)

And all the Lord asks is for each of us -

"...to bring forth works which are meet for repentance" (Book of Mormon Alma 9:30)