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

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Alma 60

Not really knowing the circumstances that had beset Pahoran, Moroni wrote to him -

"...could ye suppose that ye could sit upon your thrones, and because of the exceeding goodness of God ye could do nothing and he would deliver you? Behold, if ye have supposed this ye have supposed in vain." (Book of Mormon Alma 60:11)

Moroni understood the condition that we -

"...should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works..." (Book of Mormon Mosiah 5:15)

For -

"...whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works..." (Book of Mormon Ether 12:4)

But this is not all, Moroni wrote to Pahoran -

"...do ye suppose that the Lord will still deliver us, while we sit upon our thrones and do not make use of the means which the Lord has provided for us?" (Book of Mormon Alma 60:21)

In our day, the Lord not only commands to always be abounding in good works, but to use the means he has provided us. The means could include -

  • The Holy Ghost
  • The Scriptures
  • Handbooks of Instruction
  • Technology

And the list goes on and on.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Alma 58

As I was reading about the war between the Nephites and Lamanites during the days of Moroni, Helaman and his valiant sons, I came upon this quote of the First Presidency -

“To our young men who go into service, no matter whom they serve or where, we say live clean, keep the commandments of the Lord, pray to Him constantly to preserve you in truth and righteousness, live as you pray, and then whatever betides you the Lord will be with you and nothing will happen to you that will not be to the honor and glory of God and to your salvation and exaltation. There will come into your hearts from the living of the pure life you pray for, a joy that will pass your powers of expression or understanding. The Lord will be always near you; He will comfort you; you will feel His presence in the hour of your greatest tribulation; He will guard and protect you to the full extent that accords with His all-wise purpose. Then, when the conflict is over and you return to your homes, having lived the righteous life, how great will be your happiness—whether you be of the victors or of the vanquished—that you have lived as the Lord commanded. You will return so disciplined in righteousness that thereafter all Satan’s wiles and stratagems will leave you untouched. Your faith and testimony will be strong beyond breaking. You will be looked up to and revered as having passed through the fiery furnace of trial and temptation and come forth unharmed. Your brethren will look to you for counsel, support, and guidance. You will be the anchors to which thereafter the youth of Zion will moor their faith in man”

As I read -

"...You will return so disciplined in righteousness that thereafter all Satan’s wiles and stratagems will leave you untouched. Your faith and testimony will be strong beyond breaking. You will be looked up to and revered as having passed through the fiery furnace of trial and temptation and come forth unharmed..."

My mind seemed to immediately turn to the generation of my father who fought in World War II. I know of many of his generation that developed some bad habits during that period that they were never able to overcome. It was their addictions to these bad habits that resulted in them never receiving the full blessings of the gospel. Yet there were others, like my father, that returned with faith and testimonies that were "beyond breaking". Much like -

"...as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away." (Book of Mormon Alma 23:6)

As these thoughts seemed to race across my mind, I noticed from whom and when the quote was given -

(Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., David O. McKay, in Conference Report, Apr. 1942, p. 96).

I realized the magnitude of this prophetic warning.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Alma 57

The Savior taught His disciples -

"In your patience possess ye your souls." (New Testament Luke 21:19)

Paul taught the Hebrews -

"For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." (New Testament Hebrews 10:36)

Throughout the scriptures we read of righteous saints that even though they were obedient, they still suffered many afflictions. We read of the Sons of Helaman who being miraculously spared in battle such that -

"...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 56:56)

And again in a second battle -

"...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." (Book of Mormon Alma 57:25)

These were young men that -

"...did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them." (Book of Mormon Alma 57:21)

"...behold, they have received many wounds; nevertheless they stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them free; and they are strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day; yea, they do observe to keep his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments continually; and their faith is strong in the prophecies concerning that which is to come." (Book of Mormon Alma 58:40)

Yet they still suffered a great deal. Not just with many wounds but they -

"...did wait in these difficult circumstances for the space of many months, even until we were about to perish for the want of food." (Book of Mormon Alma 58:7)

There is great evidence that even to the best -

"...the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith." (Book of Mormon Mosiah 23:21)

Monday, January 28, 2008

Alma 51

Nephi tells us that

"...I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 19:23)

As we are presently buried in political primaries, I couldn't help but think that there are those who are seeking power and fame more than they seek welfare of the people. In the days of Pahoran, chief judge of the land -

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

At first, this may seem quite innocent. But as we read on we find about -

"...those who were desirous that Pahoran should be dethroned from the judgment-seat were called king-men, for 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)

Who were these "king-men"? -

"...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)

And it was those -

"...those people who professed the blood of nobility..." (Book of Mormon Alma 51:21)

And it was -

"...they were the greater part of them the lower judges of the land, and they were seeking for power." (Book of Mormon Alma 46:4)

It seems to me that there tends to be a "good old boys" group in politics where if one will support another, they are promised positions of power in Washington. As we consider who to vote for, we are scripturally counseled -

"...Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 98:10)

Our desire is to find those who are honest and wise, an discern those who only seek power.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Alma 45

In his final counsel to his son, Helaman, Alma warns him -

"...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; and as I have said so shall it be; for this is the cursing and the blessing of God upon the land, for the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance." (Book of Mormon Alma 45:16)

Even though we know the Lord is loving and merciful, it is important for man to understand that nonetheless, He "cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance."

For in our day -

"...there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 28:8)

This philosophy of man is false doctrine for -

"...there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 28:9)

The true doctrine is -

"...he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.
24 And if they will not repent and believe in his name, and be baptized in his name, and endure to the end, they must be damned; for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:23 - 24)

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

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Alma 43

After we read all the counsel given by Alma to his sons, we witness their obedience as -

"...it came to pass that the sons of Alma did go forth among the people, to declare the word unto them." (Book of Mormon Alma 43:1)

But what is interesting is -

"...And Alma, also, himself, could not rest, and he also went forth." (Book of Mormon Alma 43:1)

Why? Because -

"...they preached after the holy order of God by which they were called." (Book of Mormon Alma 43:2)

Having received the priesthood -

"...they preached the word, and the truth, according to the spirit of prophecy and revelation..." (Book of Mormon Alma 43:2)

In other words, they taught as guided by the Spirit bearing down in pure testimony. We see this "being guided by revelation" as later -

"...Moroni, also, knowing of the prophecies of Alma, sent certain men unto him, desiring him that he should inquire of the Lord whither the armies of the Nephites should go to defend themselves..." (Book of Mormon Alma 43:23)

And with very little fanfare -

"...the word of the Lord came unto Alma, and Alma informed the messengers of Moroni, that the armies of the Lamanites were marching round about in the wilderness, that they might come over into the land of Manti, that they might commence an attack upon the weaker part of the people. And those messengers went and delivered the message unto Moroni." (Book of Mormon Alma 43:24)

This simple miracle of revelation, of priesthood leadership, saved the lives of many of the faithful saints.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Alma 42

Much of Christendom preach that all that is required to man is to accept Jesus as their personal Savior and they will be saved. As one studies the Old and New Testaments, one can find scriptural passages that all alone one might interpret this to be the case. But if one was to circle every scriptural verse in the Bible that suggests more such as obedience, works, repentance, service, sacrifice, etc., a reasonable person would quickly recognize that much more is required for all God's Eternal blessings. In just a few verses, Alma teaches his son, Corianton, the complete truth regarding this matter as he explains the laws of justice and mercy. Speaking of mankind, Alma asks -


"...How could he sin if there was no law? How could there be a law save there was a punishment?" (Book of Mormon Alma 42:17)


Alma then answers


"...But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God." (Book of Mormon Alma 42:22)


And with the law of mercy -


"...mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice." (Book of Mormon Alma 42:23)


Alma testifies that it is by grace of God or the atonement of Jesus Christ that we return to His presence. Alma answers the question of whether just accepting Jesus as ones personal Savior is sufficient by asking -


"...do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit." (Book of Mormon Alma 42:25)


The truth is -


"...justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved." (Book of Mormon Alma 42:24)

Friday, January 18, 2008

Alma 40

As Alma counseled his son Corianton he says -

"...I perceive that thy mind is worried concerning the resurrection of the dead." (Book of Mormon Alma 40:1)

Alma then also confesses -

"...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)

And one of the things he was interested in was -

"...what becometh of the souls of men from this time of death to the time appointed for the resurrection?" (Book of Mormon Alma 40:7)

He then tells Corianton how he came to know this matter -

"...concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel..." (Book of Mormon Alma 40:11)

And this is what was revealed by the angel -

"..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.
12 And then shall it come to pass, that 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.
13 And then shall it come to pass, that 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.
14 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 40:11 - 14)

There is very limited information in the Bible and the Book of Mormon on this matter. Alma provides us a great deal of incite as we study the Bible, the teachings of Alma, and also modern day revelation. Over the years, I have struggled with the meaning of "taken home to that God who gave them life" and what seemed to reflect two extremes of the righteous and the very wicked, not necessarily addressing what one would consider those in between. What I have found is a great writing by Monte S. Nyman which gives great understanding on the matter. One thing I like about his writings is not necessarily his personal opinion but quotes from scripture and modern-day prophets. The following is quite lengthy but I am including it for my own reference.

The State of the Soul Between Death and the Resurrection
173Monte S. Nyman
173The Book of Mormon's teachings about the spirit world are not extensive. There are six verses in Alma 40 that relate directly to the topic (Alma 40:6-7, 11-14), and only a few other verses in the rest of the book that supplement Alma's teachings (2 Nephi 9:38; Alma 34:32-35). These verses have great value, however, for they clarify some of the biblical teachings on the spirit world. They also make comments about the spirit world that raise questions and occasionally leave misunderstandings about "the state of the soul between death and the resurrection" (Alma 40:11). Alma's comments about the spirit world were part of a discussion of the Resurrection. Had he been addressing the topic of the spirit world directly, he undoubtedly would have expanded his remarks and answered some of the questions that have since been clarified by latter-day revelation through modern prophets of God; such questions would include the following: What is the spirit world? Where is it? Are there divisions in the spirit world? If so, what are they? Who are the righteous spirits? Who are the wicked spirits? Is it possible for the wicked spirits to escape from their prison?
173 - 174The topic of this chapter is Alma's teachings concerning the "state of the soul between death and the resurrection" (Alma 40:11). I propose to analyze the six verses in Alma chapter 40 and, with the help of other passages from the Book of Mormon and explanations of latter-day prophets of God, attempt to answer the above questions and to clarify any misunderstandings that may have arisen.
174What Is the Spirit World?
174The Bible mentions the spirit world in various ways. It speaks of spirits continuing to exist after death (Eccl 7:12), of spirits in prison being visited by the Savior (1 Peter 3:19, Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18); and of a promise to the condemned thief on the cross to be with Jesus in paradise (Luke 23:43). In addition Jesus gave the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, both of whom had died but were in two separate places in the afterlife (Luke 16:19-31). Without further enlightenment, these few biblical passages on the spirit world might be confusing. It is the Book of Mormon, especially the book of Alma, that clarifies the purpose and function of the spirit world and enables us to better understand the biblical passages just noted.
174Alma 40:7 enlarges upon the biblical teaching that the spirit continues to exist after the death of the body. Alma speaks of "a space betwixt the time of death and the time of the resurrection" and asks what happens to the souls (spirits) of men in this interim period. (Even though Alma uses the terms soul and spirit interchangeably here, latter-day revelation defines the soul as the union of the body and spirit [D&C 88:15]). Following some comments about the Resurrection, Alma teaches Corianton that an angel had made known to him "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" (Alma 40:11).
175Where Is the Spirit World?
175Where are the spirits taken? The Book of Mormon does not answer this question, but President Brigham Young did. He also gave an interpretation of the phrase "being taken home to God":
175I will tell you. Will I locate them? Yes, if you wish me to. They do not pass out of the organization of this earth on which we live. You read in the Bible that when the spirit leaves the body it goes to God who gave it. Now tell me where God is not, if you please; you cannot. How far would you have to go in order to go to God, if your spirits were unclothed? Would you have to go out of this bowery to find God, if you were in the spirit? . . . It reads that the spirit goes to God who gave it. Let me render this Scripture a little plainer; when the spirits leave their bodies they are in the presence of our Father and God, they are prepared then to see, hear and understand spiritual things. But where is the spirit world? It is incorporated within this celestial system. Can you see it with your natural eyes? No. Can you see spirits in this room? No. Suppose the Lord should touch your eyes that you might see, could you then see the spirits? Yes, as plainly as you now see bodies, as did the servant of Elijah. [Elisha. See 2 Kings 6:17.] If the Lord would permit it, and it was His will that it should be done, you could see the spirits that have departed from this world, as plainly as you now see bodies with your natural eyes. (Journal of Discourses 3:368; hereafter cited as JD; see also Cannon 1:73)
175Later in this same sermon, President Young said that the spirit world is "on this earth that was organized for the people that have lived and that do and will live upon it" (3:372).
175Separations in the Spirit World
175Although all the spirits are taken home to the spirit world, Alma further explains that the righteous and the wicked are separated as they depart this life: "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" (Alma 40:12).
175 - 176Alma further taught Corianton that 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. 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. (Alma 40:13-14)
176 - 177The description of the spirits' being in a "state of" happiness or fear seems to suggest a mental condition rather than two, separate places. This concept is supported by a statement of the Prophet Joseph Smith: "The righteous and the wicked all go to the same world of spirits until the resurrection (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith 310; hereafter TPJS). However, President Joseph F. Smith referred to Alma's teachings as a separation, a partial judgment where the spirit is "assigned to its place, either to associate with the good and the noble ones who have lived in the paradise of God, or be confined in the 'prison-house' to await the resurrection of the body from the grave" (448-49). Although the words paradise and prison are used interchangeably in the Bible, President Joseph F. Smith uses Alma's definition of paradise as the state of the righteous, and the spirit prison as the state of the wicked in darkness and fear. I will use Alma's definition here. President Brigham Young spoke of those who reject the spirit of revelation as being "banished to another part of the spirit world, where the devil has power and control over them" (JD 2:141). Another statement by the Prophet describes the part of the spirit world (paradise) where the righteous reside: "When men are prepared, they are better off to go hence. . . . The spirits of the just are exalted to a greater and more glorious work; hence they are blessed in their departure to the world of spirits. Enveloped in flaming fire, they are not far from us, and know and understand our thoughts, feelings, and motions, and are often pained therewith" (TPJS 326). The just spirits being enveloped in flaming fire is certainly different from the darkness surrounding the wicked which comes from their having "no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord" (Alma 40:13). Joseph's statement also verifies Brigham Young's teaching that we could see the departed spirits plainly if the Lord would permit it. But where are the wicked spirits who depart this life and what is their condition?
177The Wicked Spirits
177 - 178Alma's explanation of the place of the wicked spirits is one of the more difficult passages in the Book of Mormon to understand because it sounds as if they are expelled from the earth into outer darkness at the time of death. However, we have just noted in Alma 40:13 that the state of darkness among the wicked is described as an absence of any "portion of the Spirit of the Lord," the Spirit having withdrawn because of their wickedness. Among the wicked in the spirit world would be those who have chosen such evil works that the devil has taken "possession of their house [spirit]," and they are in "a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them" (Alma 40:13-14). Their condition seems to be similar to the pre-earth servants of the devil who know their final destiny and dreadfully fear its coming. That the servants of the devil know their destiny was illustrated when the Savior, in his earthly ministry in the country of the Gergesenes, met two who were possessed by devils. Upon recognizing him, they cried out: "What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?" (Matt 8:29). Concerning this passage the Prophet Joseph said: "It would seem also, that wicked spirits . . . know their future destiny" (TPJS 208). The mental attitude of these two satanic spirits seems to be the same as that of the wicked spirits described by Alma who were "fearful[ly] looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them" (Alma 40:14). The spirits of the wicked in the spirit world are apparently assembled together somewhere where they will not have the Spirit of the Lord until the time of the Resurrection as Alma and President Joseph F. Smith said, but there are more than two divisions. There seem to be various degrees of wickedness and of righteousness, too, that exist in the spirit world.
178 - 179Once more we turn to President Brigham Young for further insight: "We may enquire where the spirits dwell, that the devil has power over? They dwell anywhere, . . . on this continent; it is full of them. If you could see, . . . you would see millions on millions of the spirits of those who have been slain upon this continent. Would you see the spirits of those who were as good in the flesh as they knew how to be? Yes. Would you see the spirits of the wicked? Yes. Could you see the spirits of devils? Yes, and that is all there is of them" (JD 3:368). President Young is apparently describing three classes of spirits that the devil has power over in the spirit world. The first class, those who were as good as they knew how to be while they lived on the earth, are probably the terrestrial spirits, the honorable men of the earth (D&C 76:75). Although they were good people by earthly standards, they are still among the congregation of the wicked (D&C 62:5), having been "blinded by the subtle craftiness of men . . . [they] are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it" (D&C 123:12). They remain under the bondage of sin because they come not unto Christ (D&C 84:49-51) which means they were not baptized by Christ's authorized servants (3 Nephi 12:1-2; 21:6; 27:20). The second group, the spirits of the wicked, would be the telestial spirits, or those who are not redeemed until the last resurrection because of the sins they committed while on earth (D&C 76:82-85). The third group, the spirits of the devils, would be those who became sons of perdition in this life, and those spirits who were denied a body because of their decision in the premortal life to follow Lucifer. The devil has power over those spirits because they did not attain the Spirit of the Lord in their lives when they had the opportunity to do so (Alma 34:34-35). These three degrees of wickedness described by Brigham Young, plus the celestial spirits, are all in the same world of spirits, but they are separated from each other by the state of their souls (spirits).
179Although the wicked and the righteous are received into separate states in the spirit world as explained by Alma and President Brigham Young, there does not seem to be a physical barrier, such as a wall or fence that separates the various groups; however, there are some other forms of restriction imposed. As the Prophet Joseph Smith said, the "wicked spirits have their bounds, limits, and laws by which they are governed or controlled" (TPJS 208). In the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, there was a gulf between the two (Luke 16:19-31). That gulf is described in the Book of Mormon as the justice of God that separates the righteous from the wicked:
179And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf, which separated the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the saints of God. And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful hell, which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked. And I said unto them that our father also saw that the justice of God did also divide the wicked from the righteous; and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire, which ascendeth up unto God forever and ever, and hath no end. (1 Nephi 15:28-30)
179 - 180A God of justice is a God of law (2 Nephi 2:5; Alma 42:13). All blessings of the gospel are predicated upon obedience to law (D&C 130:20-21). Law also inflicts a punishment for breaking it (Alma 42:22). The brightness of the justice of God, likened to a flaming fire, is probably the Spirit of the Lord that envelopes the spirits of the just as the Prophet Joseph said (TPJS 326). Either the flaming fire or the Spirit of the Lord would prevent wicked spirits from passing through it because of fear or possibly restrictions placed upon them. Any restrictions would probably be imposed by the priesthood. The following interpretation comes from Joseph Smith regarding Job 1:7, "when Satan presented himself before the Lord, among the sons of God, he said that he came 'from going to and fro in the earth, and from wandering up and down in it;' and he is emphatically called the prince of the power of the air; and, it is very evident that they possess a power that none but those who have the Priesthood can control" (TPJS 208). The priesthood is an eternal power and is held by people in the spirit world (Alma 13:7-9). Those not meeting the prerequisites, such as worthiness or priesthood ordinances, would not be allowed to enter certain areas where the righteous are assembled. Mercy cannot rob justice (Alma 42:25).
180The Paradise of God
180More information about the gulf that separates the righteous from the wicked in the spirit world comes through an analysis of the dream given to Lehi and Nephi (1 Nephi 8). Those people who in mortal life desire to partake of the fruit of the tree, which is eternal life (1 Nephi 15:36), must enter the path to that tree. The gate to the path is faith, repentance, and baptism. In the justice of God, baptism in mortal life is required for entrance to that path (2 Nephi 31:9, 17). The Prophet Joseph taught the following:
180God set the sun, the moon, and the stars in the heavens, and gave them their laws, conditions and bounds, which they cannot pass, except by His commandments; they all move in perfect harmony in their sphere and order, and are as lights, wonders and signs unto us. The sea also has its bounds which it cannot pass. . . . Upon the same principle do I contend that baptism is a sign ordained of God, for the believer in Christ to take upon himself in order to enter into the kingdom of God, . . . It is a sign and a commandment which God has set for man to enter into His kingdom. Those who seek to enter in any other way will seek in vain; for God will not receive them, neither will the angels acknowledge their works as accepted, for they have not obeyed the ordinances, nor attended to the signs which God ordained for the salvation of man. (TPJS 197-98; emphasis added)
180Therefore, it seems that a requirement for entrance to what Alma calls the spirit world paradise is the ordinance of baptism.
180 - 181The vision of the redemption of the dead shown to President Joseph F. Smith on October 3, 1918, as he pondered over the meaning of 1 Peter 3:28-20, seems to verify the concept that the righteous spirits who have been baptized and have lived according to those baptismal covenants will be in the state of paradise.
181And there were gathered together in one place an innumerable company of the spirits of the just, who had been faithful in the testimony of Jesus while they lived in mortality; And who had offered sacrifice in the similitude of the great sacrifice of the Son of God, and had suffered tribulation in their Redeemer's name. All these had departed the mortal life, firm in the hope of a glorious resurrection, through the grace of God the Father and his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. (D&C 138:12-14)
181A definition of what "the testimony of Jesus" is includes being baptized. In the vision of the celestial world shown to the Prophet Joseph and Sidney Rigdon, they recorded that
181They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given—That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power (D&C 76:51-52; emphasis added).
181Although this scripture describes the people in the celestial kingdom, the same definition would be applicable to the corresponding group of spirits in the spirit world.
181 - 182Conversely, the wicked are described in the Doctrine and Covenants as those who do not come unto Christ (D&C 84:49-51). To come unto Christ is to be baptized (3 Nephi 12:1-3, 21:6; 27:20). Jesus did not go among the wicked while visiting the spirit world, that would include the unbaptized, but he "organized his forces and appointed messengers" to teach those who had died in their sins, "faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands" (D&C 138:20, 30-33; emphasis added). President Joseph Fielding Smith concluded that his father's vision was evidence that baptism was required to be among the righteous spirits. "There, as I understand it, the righteous—meaning those who have been baptized and who have been faithful—are gathered in one part and all the others in another part of the spirit world" (2:230). I do not know of any scriptures or teachings of modern prophets that give direct evidence of unbaptized people being in the paradise described by Alma.
182Associations in the Spirit World
182There are also some natural restrictions that exist in both paradise and the spirit prison. Such restrictions are defined here as the tendencies of people to associate with others of similar moral standards, interests, or family connections. If our eyes were opened, we would probably see some association among the several groups of spirits similar to the associations of peoples upon the earth. Brigham Young said:
182The spirits that dwell in these tabernacles on this earth, when they leave them, go directly into the world of spirits. What, a congregated mass of inhabitants there in spirit, mingling with each other, as they do here? Yes, brethren, they are there together, and if they associate together, and collect together in clans and in societies as they do here, it is their privilege. No doubt they yet, more or less, see, hear, converse, and have to do with each other, both good and bad. (JD 2:137)
182The natural associations would have existed among the righteous in paradise who are baptized, the unbaptized who are in the spirit prison, and those who are judged not to have lived up to their baptismal covenants. Since the Savior's journey to the spirit world after his crucifixion, the associations between spirit groups have increased through the missionary program that he organized among the righteous messengers appointed to "carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men" (D&C 138:30).
182The Prophet Joseph Smith taught:
182The organization of the spiritual and heavenly worlds, and of spiritual and heavenly beings, was agreeable to the most perfect order and harmony: their limits and bounds were fixed irrevocably, and voluntarily subscribed to in their heavenly estate by themselves, and were by our first parents subscribed to upon the earth. (TPJS 325)
183Man may thus act for himself and choose to follow or not to follow the commandments of God (2 Nephi 2:11-16), but only those who follow the commandments may eventually attain that perfect order of "the spiritual and heavenly worlds." President Brigham Young told of the Prophet Joseph's appearing to him in a dream and instructing him to tell the people to follow the Spirit of the Lord, and promising that "if they will, they can find themselves just as they were organized by our Father in Heaven before they came into the world. Our Father in Heaven organized the human family, but they are all disorganized and in great confusion" (Romney 141). If the Father's perfect order is attainable in the mortal earth, it must also exist and be attainable in the spirit world. The most righteous would have "their limits and bounds" but would be in "perfect order and harmony." On the other hand, the wicked spirits would not have complied with this "perfect order and harmony" and would be grouped together by priesthood restrictions as well as by natural association. Elder Parley P. Pratt said, "Many spirits of the departed, who are unhappy, linger in lonely wretchedness about the earth, and in the air, and especially about their ancient homesteads, and the places rendered dear to them by the memory of the former scenes" (117). On another occasion, he reasoned as follows:
183If we reason from analogy, we should at once conclude that things exist there after the same pattern. I have not the least doubt but there are spirits there who have dwelt there a thousand years, who, if we could converse with them face to face, would be found as ignorant of the truths, the ordinances, powers, keys, Priesthood, resurrection, and eternal life of the body, in short . . . ignorant of the fulness of the Gospel. . . . (JD 1:10)
183President George Q. Cannon attributed a similar teaching to the Prophet Joseph:
183 - 184Brother Joseph Smith gave an explanation of [evil influences]. There are places in the Mississippi Valley where the influence or the presence of invisible spirits are very perceptibly felt. He said that numbers had been slain there in war and that there were evil influences or spirits which affect the spirits of those who have tabernacles on the earth. I myself have felt those influences in other places besides the continent of America; I have felt them on the old battle grounds on the Sandwich Islands. I have come to the conclusion that if our eyes were open to see the spirit world around us, we should feel differently on this subject than we do; we would not be so unguarded and careless and so indifferent whether we had the spirit and power of God with us or not; but we would be continually watchful and prayerful to our Heavenly Father for His Holy Spirit and His holy angels to be around about us to strengthen us to overcome every evil influence. (1:82)
184Therefore, were we permitted, we would see the assemblies of spirits of various orders of wickedness and righteousness in the spirit world. We would also see righteous spirits carrying the gospel to those who sit in darkness, so that all may have the opportunity to attain the "perfect order and harmony" that exists in the "spiritual and heavenly worlds."
184Escape from Spirit Prison
184The work of the righteous is to preach the gospel to as many as will receive it, so that whosoever receives it unto repentance may leave the spirit prison and enter into paradise when the ordinances have been done vicariously for them on earth. Through the institution of baptism for the dead, the Church is able to open the gate of baptism, which allows the repentant spirits to exit the spirit prison of hell, the state of the wicked in the spirit world. The performance and acceptance of this ordinance lifts the imposed restriction and allows entrance among the righteous spirits. The gates of hell do not prevail against the Church (see 1 Peter 3:18-20; 4:5-6; 1 Corinthians 15:29). Jesus apparently taught this doctrine during the forty days of his post-resurrection ministry (Acts 1:31). Based upon a Coptic (Christian Egyptian) manuscript discovered in 1895 and authenticated by modern scholars, Professor Hugh Nibley has written:
184 - 185To the Jews "the gates of hell" meant something very specific. Both Jews and Christians thought of the world of the dead as a prison—carcer, phylake, phroura—in which the dead were detained but not necessarily made to suffer any other discomfort. . . . The Christians talked of "the prison of death" to which baptism held the key of release—a significant thought, as we shall see.
185It is the proper function of a gate to shut creatures in or out of a place (Isaiah 45:1); when a gate "prevails," it succeeds in this purpose; when it does not "prevail," someone succeeds in getting past it. But prevail is a rather free English rendering of the far more specific Greek katischyo, meaning to overpower in the sense of holding back, holding down, detaining, suppressing, etc. Moreover, the thing which is held back, is (Matthew 16:18) not the church, for the object is not in the accusative but in the partitive genitive: it is 'hers,' part of her, that which belongs to her, that the gates will not be able to contain. . . . In one of the very earliest Christian poems Christ is described as going to the underworld to preach to the dead, "And the dead say to him, 'Open the gate to us!'" whereupon the Lord, "heeding their faith," gives them the seal of baptism. Baptism for the dead, then, was the key to the gates of hell which no church claimed to possess until the nineteenth century, the gates remaining inexorably closed against those very dead of whose salvation the early Christians had been so morally certain. . . . this poem in its conclusion definitely associated the release of the dead with the "rock."
185The same idea is even more obviously expressed by Ignatius in what is perhaps the earliest extant mention of the rock after New Testament times:
185This is the Way which leads to the Father, the Rock . . . the Key . . . the Gate of Knowledge, through which have entered Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, Moses and all the host of prophets. . . .
185From which it is clear that Matthew 16:17-19, with its combination of gates, keys, and rock, definitely hinges on the subject of salvation for the dead, and the work by which they are admitted to the presence of the Father.
185Those who fondly suppose that "the gates of hell shall not prevail" is a guarantee of the security of the church on this earth are inventing a doctrine diametrically opposed to the belief of the early church. If there was one point on which the primitive Saints and their Jewish contemporaries saw eye to eye, it was the belief that Satan is "the prince of this world," nay, "the god of this world." It is here that men are under his power, and here that he overcomes the kingdom of God by violence. (788)
185 - 186Jesus told Peter that His church would be built upon the rock of revelation (see TPJS 274) and that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt 16:18). One of the gates that will not prevail against the Church will, at least in one sense, be the one that would prevent the repentant spirits from exiting the spirit prison. The Lord also told Peter that He would give him "the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matt 16:19). This binding power is the priesthood. Ordinances that are performed by the priesthood on earth are for eternal purposes and are effective in the hereafter. The loosing power given to Peter would include, but not be limited to, the power to perform ordinances on earth that would loose the spirits from bondage in the spirit world or in other words would open the gate of the spirit prison for those who have been vicariously baptized on earth and are repentant to be able to exit. The gates of hell will not prevail against the Church.
186When people accept the gospel in the spirit world, they must depend on the people on earth to perform essential ordinances for them. Joseph Smith said the following about baptism for the dead:
186Every man that has been baptized and belongs to the kingdom has a right to be baptized for those who have gone before; and as soon as the law of the Gospel is obeyed here by their friends who act as proxy for them, the Lord has administrators there to set them free. A man may act as proxy for his own relatives; the ordinances of the Gospel which were laid out before the foundations of the world have thus been fulfilled by them, and we may be baptized for those whom we have much friendship for; but it must first be revealed to the man of God, lest we should run too far. (TPJS 367; emphasis added)
186When people in the spirit world are ready to receive the ordinances, there will be some kind of communication between the spirit world and those on earth. There will be people ministered to by angels or moved upon by the spirit to get the work done. Elder Melvin J. Ballard related this story that happened at the time of the dedication of the Logan Temple:
186The day before the dedication while writing recommends to the members of his ward who were to be present at the first service, two elderly gentlemen walked down the streets of Logan, approached my two younger sisters, and, coming to the elder one of the two placed in her hands a newspaper and said:
187"Take this to your father. Give it to no one else. Go quickly with it. Don't lose it."
187The child responded and when she met her mother, her mother wanted the paper. The child said, "No, I must give it to Father and no one else."
187She was admitted into the room and told her story. We looked in vain for these travelers. They were not to be seen. No one else saw them. Then we turned to the paper. The newspaper, The Newbury Weekly News, was printed in my father's old English home, Thursday, May 15th, 1884, and reached our hands May 18th, 1884, three days after its publication. We were astonished, for by no earthly means could it have reached us, so that our curiosity increased as we examined it. Then we discovered one page devoted to the writings of a reporter of the paper, who had gone on his vacation, and among other places had visited an old cemetery. The curious inscriptions led him to write what he found on the tombstones, including the verses. He also added the names, date of birth, death, etc., filling nearly an entire page.
187It was the old cemetery where the Ballard family had been buried for generations, and very many of my father's immediate relatives and other intimate friends were mentioned. . . .
187I will tell you what will happen. When you have gone as far as you can go, the names of your righteous dead who have embraced the gospel in the spirit world will be given you through the instrumentality of your dead kindred. But only the names of those who have received the gospel will be revealed. (250-51)
187 - 188The essential requirement for entrance into paradise in the spirit world is, therefore, baptism. As stated by Elder Parley P. Pratt, "As in earth, so in the spirit world. No person can enter into the privileges of the Gospel, until the keys are turned, and the Gospel opened by those in authority, for all which there is a time, according to the wise dispensations of justice and mercy" (JD 1:11). Baptism for the dead must be performed vicariously before those who are in the spirit prison can leave the state of the wicked. Elder Melvin J. Ballard, in speaking of the celestial kingdom said: "And those who are prepared to enter into this exaltation, before they can pass by the angels to their glory and their exaltation, must subscribe to every gospel principle, not only live it in the spirit world, but be judged according to men in the flesh. They cannot ignore baptism" (227). It should be remembered that the phrase "the wicked" is a general category for those who have not been baptized (see D&C 62:5; 84:49-51). One of the oft-cited scriptures by those who object to the idea that baptism is a requirement for entering paradise is the promise of Jesus to the thief on the cross: "Today thou shalt be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). The objection is answered by the following explanation by the Prophet Joseph Smith:
188I will say something about the spirits in prison. There has been much said by modern divines about the words of Jesus [when on the cross] to the thief, saying, "This day shalt thou be with me in paradise." King James' translators make it out to say paradise. But what is paradise? It is a modern word: it does not answer at all to the original word that Jesus made use of. Find the original of the word paradise. You may as easily find a needle in a haymow. Here is a chance for battle, ye learned men. There is nothing in the original word in Greek from which this was taken that signifies paradise; but it was—This day thou shalt be with me in the world of spirits: then I will teach you all about it and answer your inquiries. And Peter says he went and preached to the world of spirits [spirits in prison, I Peter, 3rd chap. 19th verse], so that they who would receive it could have it answered by proxy by those who live on the earth, etc. . . .
188Hades, the Greek, or Sheol, the Hebrew, these two significations mean a world of spirits. Hades, Sheol, paradise, spirits in prison, are all one: it is a world of spirits.
188The righteous and the wicked all go to the same world of spirits until the resurrection. 'I do not think so,' says one. If you will go to my house any time, I will take my lexicon and prove it to you. (TPJS 30910)
188When baptism for the dead is performed, the gates of hell will not prevail in the spirit world.
188 - 189Being baptized is not all that is required for a spirit to be in paradise or to be released from the spirit prison. Those who have been baptized must live up to the covenants made in that ordinance. Those who are judged not to have kept their covenants will be cast into prison until their sins have been paid for either by the Savior through their repentance or by their own suffering (see 3 Nephi 12:23-26; D&C 19:16-18). If they have kept their covenants, they will find a state of peace in paradise. This peace will be both internal and external. It will be internal because of they will know they have done as the Lord would have them do. It will be external because of the caliber of people with whom they associate. Theirs will be a state of rest from the cares, troubles, and sorrows of the mortal world. Although they may be pained from their observations of friends and family who are still in mortality, they will know that they "have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it" (2 Nephi 9:18). However, they will still look forward to the Resurrection, considering "the long absence of [their] spirits from [their] bodies to be a bondage" (D&C 45:17). Nevertheless, they will eventually be "received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness" (Mosiah 2:41).
189On the other hand, the wicked have several different groupings. There are those "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" (Alma 40:13). These are the sons of perdition. Their eventual fate is to be cast into outer darkness with those who rebelled in the premortal state. Perhaps it is this group of whom Jacob says they "die in their sins; for they shall return to God, and behold his face, and remain in their sins" (2 Nephi 9:38). They are, as king Benjamin describes, in "open rebellion against God" and choose "to obey the evil spirit, and [become] an enemy to all righteousness . . . and [remain] and [die] an enemy to God" (Mosiah 2:37-38). Their fate seems to be set and when they see God it will be to bring about "the demands of divine justice [that] do awaken [their] immortal soul to a lively sense of [their] own guilt which doth cause [them] to shrink from the presence of the Lord" (Mosiah 2:38). Their "final doom is to endure a never-ending torment" (Mosiah 2:39). The burning of their conscience is a torment "like an unquenchable fire, whose flame [ascends] up forever and ever" (Mosiah 2:38; emphasis added).
189 - 190Between these two extremes—never-ending torment and never-ending happiness (Mosiah 2:39, 41)—there are several degrees of torment or happiness. President Brigham Young said that some were as good as they knew how to be (terrestrial spirits), and others were wicked (telestial spirits). He also said that there are differences within each of these groups teaching that:
190All men, excepting those who sin against the Holy Ghost, who shed innocent blood or who consent thereto, will be saved in some kingdom; for in my father's house, says Jesus, are many mansions. Where is John Wesley's abode in the other world? He is not where the Father and the Son live, but he is gone into what is called hades, or paradise, or the spirit-world. He did not receive the gospel as preached by Jesus Christ and His apostles; it was not then upon the earth. The power of the Holy Priesthood was not then among men; but I suppose that Mr. Wesley lived according to the best light he had, and tried to improve upon it all the days of his life. Where is the departed spirit of that celebrated reformer? It occupies a better place than ever entered his heart to conceive of when he was in the flesh. (JD 11:126)
190However, President Young appears to be using several terms as general designations of the spirit world rather than identifying specific places.
190Elder Parley P. Pratt also taught that there are different grades or classes in the spirit world:
190I will suppose, in the spirit world, a grade of spirits of the lowest order, composed of murderers, robbers, thieves, adulterers, drunkards, and persons ignorant, uncultivated, &c., who are in prison, or in hell, without hope, without God, and unworthy as yet of Gospel instruction. Such spirits, if they could communicate, would not tell you of the resurrection or of any of the Gospel truths, for they know nothing about them.
190Take another class of spirits—pious, well-disposed men; for instance, the honest Quaker, Presbyterian, or other sectarian, who, although honest, and well disposed, had not, while in the flesh, the privilege of the Priesthood and Gospel. They believed in Jesus Christ, but died in ignorance of his ordinances, and had not clear conceptions of his doctrine, and of the resurrection. They expected to go to that place called heaven, as soon as they were dead, and that their doom would then and there be fixed, without any further alteration or preparation. (JD 1:12)
190 - 191These various groups are in some degree of darkness until the light of the gospel is carried to them. When vicarious baptism has been performed for them and they have repented and accepted the gospel, they can enter paradise to await the Resurrection.
191The counsel of Amulek to prepare to meet God in this life is fitting:
191Ye 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. (Alma 34:34)
191Some readers of the Book of Mormon may interpret these verses to say that people have the same character and attributes when they enter into the spirit world as they had in this life. While that is a true principle (see Alma 41:3-6), it is not the main point of Amulek's statement, which is to admonish the people to seek the Spirit of the Lord in this life or else the spirit of the devil will have power over them, as shown in the following verse:
191For 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. (Alma 34:5)
191The degree to which we entertain either spirit will continue into the spirit world.
191Amulek taught that
191this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.
191And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, 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. (Alma 34:32-33)
191The following, given to the Prophet Joseph concerning the Resurrection, is consistent with Alma's teachings:
191Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection [spirit world].
192And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the [spirit] world to come. (D&C 130:18-19)
192The Prophet Joseph also said:
192Salvation is nothing more nor less than to triumph over all our enemies and put them under our feet. And when we have power to put all enemies under our feet in this world, and a knowledge to triumph over all evil spirits in the world to come, then we are saved, as in the case of Jesus, who was to reign until He had put all enemies under His feet, and the last enemy was death. (TPJS 297)
192Satan has power in the spirit world too but the degree of his influence there is dependent upon how we have learned to control him here. "The devil has no power over us only as we permit him. The moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil takes power" (TPJS 181).
192Conclusion
192Since we have relied heavily on President Brigham Young to help us understand the spirit world, a testimony born by Heber C. Kimball at the funeral of Jedediah M. Grant, both of whom were counselors in Brigham Young's First Presidency, seems a fitting conclusion to lend authority to the statements previously cited.
192[Brother Grant] said to me, brother Heber, I have been into the spirit world two nights in succession, and, of all the dreads that ever came across me, the worst was to have to again return to my body, though I had to do it. . . . O, says he, the order and government that were there! When in the spirit world, I saw the order of righteous men and women; beheld them organized in their several grades, and there appeared to be no obstruction to my vision; I could see every man and woman in their grade and order. I looked to see whether there was any disorder there, but there was none; neither could I see any death nor any darkness, disorder or confusion. . . . that the people he there saw were organized in family capacities; and when he looked at them he saw grade after grade, and all were organized and in perfect harmony. . . "Why, it is just as brother Brigham says it is; it is just as he has told us many a time. . . ."
193He saw the righteous gathered together in the spirit world, and there were no wicked spirits among them. (JD 4:135-36)
193With the teachings in the book of Alma and those from our latter-day prophets, supplementing the Bible, we Latter-day Saints know more about the spirit world than any other people on earth. However, there is still much that we do not know, but the additional teachings that we do have should inspire us to prepare ourselves for the time when we enter into that "state of the soul between death and the resurrection" (Alma 40:11). In the meantime, may we try to fashion our lives in such a way that our righteous ancestors who know and understand our thoughts, feelings, and motions are not pained therewith, and may we be diligent both in preaching the gospel here upon the earth and in finding the names of our departed dead and performing the vicarious ordinances for them so they can live in the paradise until the Resurrection.
193NOTES
193Monte S. Nyman is professor of Ancient Scripture and director of the Book of Mormon area of the Religious Studies Center at Brigham Young University.
193BIBLIOGRAPHY
193Ballard, Melvin J. Sermons and Missionary Services. Compiled by Bryant S. Hinckley. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1949.
193Cannon, George Q. Gospel Truths. 3 vols. Complied by Jerreld Newquist. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1974.
193Journal of Discourses. 26 vols. 1854-86.
193Nibley, Hugh. "Baptism for the Dead in Ancient Times." The Improvement Era (Dec 1948) 51:786-88.
193Pratt, Parley P. Key to the Science of Theology. Salt Lake City: Deseret News Steam Printing Establishment, 1965.
193Romney, Marion G. "Speaking by the Powers of the Holy Ghost." The Improvement Era (June 1944) 47:343-45; also in Conference Report (Apr 1944) 140-43.
193Smith, Joseph F. Gospel Doctrine. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1919.
194Smith, Joseph Fielding. Doctrines of Salvation. 3 vols. Compiled by Bruce R. McConkie. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954.
194Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1976.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Alma 37

Nephi recorded many of their experiences as they journeyed to the promised land but Alma provides a little bit more information for his son saying -

"...They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence...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 teaches Helaman that this is "a type" or analogy to our life's journey. Speaking of the Liahona, Alma explains -

"...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.
39 And behold, 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 37:38 - 39)

It was unique or of "curious workmanship" in that -

"...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; 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)

We also have a compass, that being the words of Christ in scripture and modern day prophets - and the Holy Ghost which do point the way. They are so simple, but when we lack faith to believe and obey, we fail to travel in a direct course. Alma Admonished -

"...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)

"...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)

Therefore -

"...do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever." (Book of Mormon Alma 37:46)

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Alma 34

Amulek taught the Zoramites -

"...now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you." (Book of Mormon Alma 34:31)

Not only to repent but -

"...this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors." (Book of Mormon Alma 34:32)

You can sense that Amulek felt very strongly that time was of the essence as he pleads -

"...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)

What does he mean with the night of darkness where no labor can be performed? He continues -

"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." (Book of Mormon Alma 34:34 - 35)

Elder Melvin J. Ballard provided us this continued explanation -

“It is my judgment that any man or woman can do more to conform to the laws of God in one year in this life than they could in ten years when they are dead. The spirit only can repent and change, and then the battle has to go forward with the flesh afterwards. It is much easier to overcome and serve the Lord when both flesh and spirit are combined as one. This is the time when men are more pliable and susceptible. We will find when we are dead every desire, every feeling will be greatly intensified. When clay is pliable, it is much easier to change than when it gets hard and sets.

This life is the time to repent. That is why I presume it will take a thousand years after the first resurrection until the last group will be prepared to come forth. It will take them a thousand years to do what it would have taken but three score years and ten to accomplish in this life.

You remember the vision of the redemption of the dead as given to the Church through the late President Joseph F. Smith. President Smith saw the spirits of the righteous dead before their resurrection and the language is the same as one of the Prophet Joseph’s revelations—that they, the righteous dead, looked upon the absence of their spirits from their bodies as a bondage.

I grant you that the righteous dead will be at peace, but I tell you that when we go out of this life, leave this body, we will desire to do many things that we cannot do at all without the body. We will be seriously handicapped, and we will long for the body, we will pray for that early reunion with our bodies. We will know then what advantage it is to have a body. . . .

The point I have in mind is that we are sentencing ourselves to long periods of bondage, separating our spirits from our bodies, or we are shortening that period, according to the way in which we overcome and master ourselves” (Melvin J. Ballard, The Three Degrees of Glory, pp. 11–13).

I think Amulek understood this having confessed to the people of Ammonihah -

"...I never have known much of the ways of the Lord, and his mysteries and marvelous power. 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)

Amulek had recognized the consequence of what may have happened had he continued to "not hear".

Monday, January 14, 2008

Alma 34

Amulek taught the poor of the Zoramites -

"...it is expedient that an atonement should be made; 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)

And that this atonement -

"...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)

For -

"...there can be nothing which is short of an infinite atonement which will suffice for the sins of the world." (Book of Mormon Alma 34:12)

I've pondered the meaning of an "infinite and eternal" atonement. First of all the Savior declared -

"...for Endless is my name." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 19:10)

So then would Eternal and Infinite be His name. Therefore, the great and last sacrifice is the Atonement of the Savior. But in addition to that, the atonement is literally eternal and infinite in every aspect including time, space, and coverage. The King Benjamin said to his people -

"...the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them." (Book of Mormon Mosiah 3:13)

This verse suggests that the children of men may receive a remission of sins "even as though he had already come among them." Since agency has been an eternal gift, why would not the "infinite atonement" had been available in a pre-existent state as if He had already come in the flesh. With agency being available throughout the eternities, for those who believe in Christ, might not the atonement be also available throughout the eternities, suggesting it to be "infinite and eternal".

Friday, January 11, 2008

Alma 30

I believe the story of Korihor has great application to our day - especially our youth. We read of Korihor -

"...there came a man into the land of Zarahemla, and he was Anti-Christ, for he began to preach unto the people against the prophecies which had been spoken by the prophets, concerning the coming of Christ." (Book of Mormon Alma 30:6)

In their day, this preaching was against the coming of Christ. In our day, I see any preaching against Christ, His modern-day Church, His annointed leaders, and His restored laws, doctrine, gospel as an anti-Christ for

"...after this manner did he preach, saying:
13 O ye that are bound down under a foolish and a vain hope, why do ye yoke yourselves with such foolish things?..." (Book of Mormon Alma 30:12 - 13)

With this teaching -

"...every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength; and whatsoever a man did was no crime..." (Book of Mormon Alma 30:17)

Isn't that much of what is taught today is that whatsoever a person does is no sin?

"...leading away the hearts of many, causing them to lift up their heads in their wickedness, yea, leading away many women, and also men, to commit whoredoms..." (Book of Mormon Alma 30:18)

Even suggesting of the saints that -

"...they durst not enjoy their rights and privileges.
28 Yea, they durst not make use of that which is their own lest they should offend their priests, who do yoke them according to their desires..." (Book of Mormon Alma 30:27 - 28)

I think there is a philosophy out there that if we just accept Christ as our Savior, that is all that is necessary. After that, it doesn't really matter what we do. I believe this philosophy is far from the teachings of the Savior in the New Testament.

There are many out there that challenge the Book of Mormon much like Korihor without making any sincere, faithful effort to determine if it is the word of God, saying -

"If thou wilt show me a sign...then will I be convinced of the truth of thy words." (Book of Mormon Alma 30:43)

I think there are many anti-Christs in our day.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Alma 33

Yesterday, I blogged about the meaning of the "the word" and "the seed". I just wanted to followup in my readings this morning.

Of the word, speaking of Moses's day , Alma taught -

"...behold a type was raised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it might live. And many did look and live.
20 But 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.
21 O my brethren, 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 33:19 - 21)

It is through the Word that if we -

"...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." "Book of Mormon Alma 33:22)

And then speaking of the Son of God -

"And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life..." (Book of Mormon Alma 33:23)

And -

"...ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you." (Book of Mormon Alma 32:43)

Note that the tree will bring the fruit to us. Amulek followed with -

"...my brother [Alma] has proved unto you, in many instances, that the word is in Christ unto salvation." (Book of Mormon Alma 34:6)

It is interesting that the footnote for "the word is in Christ" references the testimony of John in the first chapter of John.

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Alma 32

As Alma talks to the poor of the Zoramites, he says -

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

My thoughts this morning is what is this seed? John said -

"IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God." (New Testament John 1:1 - 2)

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us..." (New Testament John 1:14)

John's testimony is that Jesus Christ is the Word. Even though "the word" in Alma is not capitalized, I believe Alma is still suggesting "the seed" is the Savior and His atonement. Alma continues -

"...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 later describes what the seed means or becomes in our life saying -

"...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 behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life." (Book of Mormon Alma 32:41)

What tree does the seed become? -

"...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 32:42)

Did not the Savior say -

"...I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." (New Testament John 6:35)

Is not the tree from the seed the -

"...tree of life, whose fruit is most precious and most desirable above all other fruits; yea, and it is the greatest of all the gifts of God..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:36)

"Yea, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely..." (Book of Mormon Alma 5:34)

Whose fruit Lehi -

"...beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 8:11)

Monday, January 07, 2008

Alma 29

Alma contemplated and shared 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)

As he does, he also teaches us -

"...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." (Book of Mormon Alma 29:3)

The simples words, "I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me" has seemed to have a greater meaning to me after the events of this past weekend. I have recalled in the early days of the Church, there was a times, a great apostasy among many of the leaders of the Church. Those to whom Joseph Smith considered his close friends. Much of this apostasy had a great deal pride, with individuals being overlooked in priesthood callings or not being appointed to positions of leadership that thought they somehow deserved. Many blamed the Prophet but we know he was only doing the will of the Lord. Elder Henry D. Moyle made this comment -

“I believe that we, as fellow workers in the priesthood, might well take to heart the admonition of Alma and be content with that which God hath allotted us. We might well be assured that we had something to do with our ‘allotment’ in our pre-existent state. This would be an additional reason for us to accept our present condition and make the best of it. It is what we agreed to do. . . .
“. . . We had our own free agency in our pre-mortal existence, and whatever we are today is likely the result of that which we willed to be heretofore” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1952, p. 71).

It probably doesn't really matter where one serves, but how one serves.