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

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Alma 34

For those that believe that confessing a believe in Jesus Christ is sufficient for aalvation, Amulek teaches the Zoramites that there is more than just a confession as he reminds them -

"...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.
17 Therefore 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..." (Book of Mormon | Alma 34:15 - 17)

It becomes logically clear that repentance is a condition of salvation for as Amulek continue to plead -

"I would that, after ye have received so many witnesses, seeing that the holy scriptures testify of these things, ye come forth and bring fruit unto repentance." (Book of Mormon | Alma 34:30)

"...for behold, 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)

Repentance is not necessarily at one time, point in time when all things are satisfied for -

"...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)

"Improve" would suggest a path of progression to Eternal Life. It suggests that speed is not the issue but more a consistent moving foward with a steadfastness in Christ. Damnation in itself would suggest a point when improvement ends.

One more political point. The scriptures teach much of those that receive more are to care for the poor and the needy. But to the poor, being envious can also lead to destruction where Amulek, speaking to those of poverty -

"...I would exhort you to have patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions; that ye do not revile against those who do cast you out because of your exceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them..." (Book of Mormon | Alma 34:40)

There is great responsibilities for both the poor and rich...this would mean all mankind.