Today I read Alma 54, where Moroni and Ammoron exchange letters for the intent to do a prisoner exchange. Everytime I read this chapter I wonder at the record keeping of the Nephites. I understand that they kept records of all the happenings of their people but it really intrigues me that they would record, word for word, two letters talking about prisoner exchange. I suspect they did it because of Moroni's words to Ammoron and how he goes into detail about the consequences of the Lamanite's actions.
The other part of this chapter that stands out to me, is the boldness of Ammoron. I have often marveled at the audacity of leaders of men who impose their ideals onto their people. Just a few years earlier, and a few chapters earlier in the Book of Mormon, the Lamanite people were terrified to go to war against the Nephites. And now suddenly they are angy at the fact that something happened 500 years ago and want to avenge their wrongs!
No, not even close. This war was all about the fact that Amalickiah and his brother wanted to be king and have power of the Nephites and when they couldn't have it, they went to the Lamanites to obtain their goals. Yet Ammoron seems to think that his goals are the goals of the Lamanites too. I wonder if he even thought to ask him? I'm 99% sure he did not. But this is the same with all leaders. Some are more charismatic than others and can convince their people that this is what they have always wanted and just didn't know it. Mao Ze Dong in China was such a leader. Perhaps Ammoron was also, I'm not sure.
Now, good leaders, the right kind of leaders, can embolden his/her people into action and accomplishing their designs so that their goals become the people's goals. This is not what seems to have happened in the case of Ammoron and the Lamanites though. Ammoron seems to be one of those charismatic men that can somehow convince people that this is what they have always wanted, they just never knew it, somewhat akin to the Music Man.
This would not be so bad if he were to use his charisma for good. Unfortunately, such is not the case. He only cares about himself and does not care for the lives of the Lamanites at all. They are means to an end, nothing else. And that is the difference between Moroni and Ammoron. Moroni would happily give his life for anyone of his men. Ammoron would seem his men slaughtered to a man to protect his life.
We don't need to spend time convincing the world who is right and who was wrong in this war between the Nephites and the Lamanites. Suffice to say, if one could take only the good qualities of Ammoron, he was a brilliant leader, and combine them with the qualitites of Moroni, one could be a powerful force for good, perhaps even akin to the Savior in terms of influence for good. Until tomorrow.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
The Stripling Warriors
Today I read Alma 53 where the 2000 sons of the people of Ammon, commonly referred to as the Stripling Warriors are first introduced. You know, it's actually kind of hard to find something new to talk about in these war chapters and as I go further into the Book of Mormon we keep running into the same concepts over and over again.
But in a way that is comforting. The Gospel is really at its roots, very simple. And it's nice to know that as we read the Book of Mormon and the scriptures that we are not finding earth shattering new doctrine, that we've actually pretty much heard it all before already.
This chapter is more of what we have already been talking about in all the war chapters. The Nephites prosper when they obey the commandments and are stirred up to remembrance by the Lamanites when they are not obedient. With the introduction of the 2000 warriors however we do have some new things to talk about.
One thing Elder Bednar said to us when he came to our Stake Conference is that, especially in the scriptures, language matters. I bring this up because of the description Mormon gives of the 2000 warriors at the end of chapter 53. He calls them "men of truth and soberness". I have noticed that is a word that is used quite often in the scriptures, soberness, and I've often wondered why that is. Like Elder Bednar, I believe that the language used in the scriptures is significant.
I also don't think it is a coincidence that they are using the word to describe the opposite of drunkeness. The first time I was old enough to kind of realize the significance of that, I started doing a mental checklist in my mind of the difference between drukenness and sober people. Especially in a scriptoral sense I think the main difference is the control one has on their emotions. A drunk generally speaking does not have much control over what they say or do. They do what feels good and what feels right because that's what they want.
A sober man/woman is also in control of their faculties and are able to think clearly and discern the promptings of the Spirit. However, I truly do believe that they are also speaking in terms of not getting drunk. I do not believe that the 2000 young men were men prone to drink alcohol at all, let alone to excess. But I think the truer sense of that word, sober, is the fact that they were always in complete control of themselves and were men that were true and can be trusted. Would you trust a drunkard with anything of importance? I sure would not.
As we refrain from alcohol due to our religion and our personal convitions, it is not enough to just not drink alcohol. We must remain in control and do what we are counselled to do at all times. That is what it truly means to be sober, in my opinion. Until tomorrow.
But in a way that is comforting. The Gospel is really at its roots, very simple. And it's nice to know that as we read the Book of Mormon and the scriptures that we are not finding earth shattering new doctrine, that we've actually pretty much heard it all before already.
This chapter is more of what we have already been talking about in all the war chapters. The Nephites prosper when they obey the commandments and are stirred up to remembrance by the Lamanites when they are not obedient. With the introduction of the 2000 warriors however we do have some new things to talk about.
One thing Elder Bednar said to us when he came to our Stake Conference is that, especially in the scriptures, language matters. I bring this up because of the description Mormon gives of the 2000 warriors at the end of chapter 53. He calls them "men of truth and soberness". I have noticed that is a word that is used quite often in the scriptures, soberness, and I've often wondered why that is. Like Elder Bednar, I believe that the language used in the scriptures is significant.
I also don't think it is a coincidence that they are using the word to describe the opposite of drunkeness. The first time I was old enough to kind of realize the significance of that, I started doing a mental checklist in my mind of the difference between drukenness and sober people. Especially in a scriptoral sense I think the main difference is the control one has on their emotions. A drunk generally speaking does not have much control over what they say or do. They do what feels good and what feels right because that's what they want.
A sober man/woman is also in control of their faculties and are able to think clearly and discern the promptings of the Spirit. However, I truly do believe that they are also speaking in terms of not getting drunk. I do not believe that the 2000 young men were men prone to drink alcohol at all, let alone to excess. But I think the truer sense of that word, sober, is the fact that they were always in complete control of themselves and were men that were true and can be trusted. Would you trust a drunkard with anything of importance? I sure would not.
As we refrain from alcohol due to our religion and our personal convitions, it is not enough to just not drink alcohol. We must remain in control and do what we are counselled to do at all times. That is what it truly means to be sober, in my opinion. Until tomorrow.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Counsel with thy Brethren
Today I read Alma 52, which is a continuation of the war chapters. The thing that really struck me in this chapter is how well Moroni, Lehi and Teancum work together in these dark times and that they work as a council and not with Moroni dictating what is going to happen. When Amalickiah's brother, Ammoron, takes over the leadership of the Lamanite army, instead of insisting that he knows best, Moroni holds a council of war with Teancum and several of his chief commanders.
This reminds me of the leadership of the church and how a bishopric or a stake presidency functions. I'm sure that in this case the ultimate descion was Moroni's, but he valued their opinion and asked for their help in overcoming these obstacles.
The thing that really amazes me in this chapter is the audacity of the Nephites. They want Jacob, the Zoramite, who has taken over the city of Mulek to come out and fight them on the field of battle. I can't help but wonder what they hoped to accomplish by such direct methods? I don't really believe that if the situation was reversed the Nephites would have left their fortifications to do battle with the Lamanites. So I have always found that part of this chapter to be a little strange.
Nevertheless, through their efforts, they are able to retake the cities and are able to continue defending the cause of their people. This chapter also kind of reminds me of the repentance process. The Nephites, through their inattentiveness on the matters at hand, lost several citites to the Lamanites. Now they must struggle to regain them and get back to where they had once started from. This reminds me of us. We sometimes fall, or stumble and then have to struggle mightily to get back to where we started from and to progress even further.
I think that is just another part of what we are supposed to take away from the war chapters. Also, however, like I mentioned earlier, there are other things we can take away from these chapters. The cohesion of the Nephite command for one thing. They were a great example to us on being unified and being one in purpose. This is even more important during times of crisis. We need to make sure that we are unified in purpose with our spiritual leaders and following their counsel and direction to us. As we do this, the Lord will bless us for our faithfulness. Until tomorrow.
This reminds me of the leadership of the church and how a bishopric or a stake presidency functions. I'm sure that in this case the ultimate descion was Moroni's, but he valued their opinion and asked for their help in overcoming these obstacles.
The thing that really amazes me in this chapter is the audacity of the Nephites. They want Jacob, the Zoramite, who has taken over the city of Mulek to come out and fight them on the field of battle. I can't help but wonder what they hoped to accomplish by such direct methods? I don't really believe that if the situation was reversed the Nephites would have left their fortifications to do battle with the Lamanites. So I have always found that part of this chapter to be a little strange.
Nevertheless, through their efforts, they are able to retake the cities and are able to continue defending the cause of their people. This chapter also kind of reminds me of the repentance process. The Nephites, through their inattentiveness on the matters at hand, lost several citites to the Lamanites. Now they must struggle to regain them and get back to where they had once started from. This reminds me of us. We sometimes fall, or stumble and then have to struggle mightily to get back to where we started from and to progress even further.
I think that is just another part of what we are supposed to take away from the war chapters. Also, however, like I mentioned earlier, there are other things we can take away from these chapters. The cohesion of the Nephite command for one thing. They were a great example to us on being unified and being one in purpose. This is even more important during times of crisis. We need to make sure that we are unified in purpose with our spiritual leaders and following their counsel and direction to us. As we do this, the Lord will bless us for our faithfulness. Until tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
First set thine own house in order
Today I read Alma 51, where Moroni deals with the kingmen for the first time, Amalickiah comes to war against the Nephites again, and Teancum slays Amalickiah. This chapter always reminds me of the instruction the Savior gave to first set thine own house in order.
Moroni was a man who truly understood this principle. He knew that in the past part of the reason his people had lost to the Lamanites was because they were not unified. They did not have their people united against the Lamanites. So Moroni first and foremost decided to get his own affairs in order before tackling the larger challenge that the Lamanites presented.
As I read this morning I couldn't help but think, how often are we like the Nephites? How often do we ignore the issues in our own lives that cripple us spiritually but we've got plenty of advice to share with those that might be going through something similar or going through something we know nothing about. THIS is exactly what the Savior was cautioning against when He taught that we needed to first get our own house in order.
I also have always found it interesting that for all intents and purposes, Teancum committed murder in this chapter. Now, I think the situation is much like that Nephi faced, where it is better that one man should perish than an entire nation suffer, however, unlike Nephi we are not told that Teancum was prompted by the Spirit to do this. However, given the remorse Moroni and Lehi feel when Teancum dies, I think it is safe to say that Teancum was definitely a man of the Spirit because a man like Captain Moroni would not be friends with a murderer.
It is also interesting to me to note that no matter how difficult things get for the Nephites, Moroni never declares marshal law. He always goes through the government when it comes to matters that concern the people as a whole outside the scope of the war. When the kingmen would not help, he petitioned the government to give him the power to compel them to service or be put to death. I often wonder what went through his mind when Pahoran would get requests like this from Moroni? I mean, if he's anything like me, he probably felt that Moroni already had such power since, even though not directly, it still fell under the jurisdiction of the war. But Moroni was a man who loved liberty and very much would do things by the book.
And again that is why he is one of the ultimate examples in the Book of Mormon. He is a man who loves order, a man who, even though he has great passion, has perfect temperance. He was in complete control of his passions. He knew that Pahoran would not fault him for taking the steps he did, but he still wanted to do things in their proper order. Truly Mormon was right that if all men could be like that, then the powers of hell would be shaken forever! May we all grow to be more like Moroni, Lehi and Teancum. Until tomorrow.
Moroni was a man who truly understood this principle. He knew that in the past part of the reason his people had lost to the Lamanites was because they were not unified. They did not have their people united against the Lamanites. So Moroni first and foremost decided to get his own affairs in order before tackling the larger challenge that the Lamanites presented.
As I read this morning I couldn't help but think, how often are we like the Nephites? How often do we ignore the issues in our own lives that cripple us spiritually but we've got plenty of advice to share with those that might be going through something similar or going through something we know nothing about. THIS is exactly what the Savior was cautioning against when He taught that we needed to first get our own house in order.
I also have always found it interesting that for all intents and purposes, Teancum committed murder in this chapter. Now, I think the situation is much like that Nephi faced, where it is better that one man should perish than an entire nation suffer, however, unlike Nephi we are not told that Teancum was prompted by the Spirit to do this. However, given the remorse Moroni and Lehi feel when Teancum dies, I think it is safe to say that Teancum was definitely a man of the Spirit because a man like Captain Moroni would not be friends with a murderer.
It is also interesting to me to note that no matter how difficult things get for the Nephites, Moroni never declares marshal law. He always goes through the government when it comes to matters that concern the people as a whole outside the scope of the war. When the kingmen would not help, he petitioned the government to give him the power to compel them to service or be put to death. I often wonder what went through his mind when Pahoran would get requests like this from Moroni? I mean, if he's anything like me, he probably felt that Moroni already had such power since, even though not directly, it still fell under the jurisdiction of the war. But Moroni was a man who loved liberty and very much would do things by the book.
And again that is why he is one of the ultimate examples in the Book of Mormon. He is a man who loves order, a man who, even though he has great passion, has perfect temperance. He was in complete control of his passions. He knew that Pahoran would not fault him for taking the steps he did, but he still wanted to do things in their proper order. Truly Mormon was right that if all men could be like that, then the powers of hell would be shaken forever! May we all grow to be more like Moroni, Lehi and Teancum. Until tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
There Never was a Happier Time
Today I read Alma 50, which covers several years of Nephite history and introduces two very important men in the Nephite history, Teancum and Pahoran. In this chapter the Nephites are still very much under treat of war by the Lamanites and for one of those years by themselves even.
However, the part that makes me most intrigued is the line that Mormon says from the time of Nephi down to this, there never was a happier time for the Nephites than now. I find that a little odd personally. I mean, that's a little like saying the Americans were never happier than during the 13 day Cuban missile crisis! The threat of war was very, very real for these people, and yet they were happier than they had ever been. Why is that?
It was because they were keeping the commandments of the Lord. As the times grew more dire, the Nephites became more diligent in keeping the commandments. In a few weeks, we will read in Helaman where the Nephites were very, very wicked and yet the priests of the church were astonished by the amount of people joining the church and being baptized! It all comes down to opposites.
Have you ever had something ridiculously good happen to you? Was it ever tainted because you knew something equally bad was going to happen very soon? I sure have. Of course I've also had the other end of things too where something really bad happened and it was mitigated by the fact that I knew something good would happen soon. I think that is what is happening with the Nephites here. They are faced with invasion by their enemies and so they are tirelessly working for the welfare of their loved ones, which is service which we have already talked about how service breeds love, and Moroni and the sons of Alma are constantly preaching to them that they need to keep the commandments so that the Lord will be with them.
I've also had times, as I'm sure most people have, that I am so happy that even when bad things start to happen, it doesn't phase me. I'm so high on life and the Spirit that the bad thing that happens is not enough to kill my natural high. I think that is how the Nephites are at this period of time. We know it's not the happiest they will ever be, that comes much later. But it is nice to know and have confirmed that happiness comes from within, not based on external circumstances.
It really is true that we have full control of our own happiness. If we are living a life that invites the Spirit to be with us the majority of the time, then we will be happy and we will be able to CHOOSE to be happy. I've lived both kinds of lives, within reason the things I did wrong were not horrible grievous sins but they did drive away the Spirit, and I MUCH prefer to be happy and have the Spirit around me. I'm sure the Nephites did too. Until tomorrow.
However, the part that makes me most intrigued is the line that Mormon says from the time of Nephi down to this, there never was a happier time for the Nephites than now. I find that a little odd personally. I mean, that's a little like saying the Americans were never happier than during the 13 day Cuban missile crisis! The threat of war was very, very real for these people, and yet they were happier than they had ever been. Why is that?
It was because they were keeping the commandments of the Lord. As the times grew more dire, the Nephites became more diligent in keeping the commandments. In a few weeks, we will read in Helaman where the Nephites were very, very wicked and yet the priests of the church were astonished by the amount of people joining the church and being baptized! It all comes down to opposites.
Have you ever had something ridiculously good happen to you? Was it ever tainted because you knew something equally bad was going to happen very soon? I sure have. Of course I've also had the other end of things too where something really bad happened and it was mitigated by the fact that I knew something good would happen soon. I think that is what is happening with the Nephites here. They are faced with invasion by their enemies and so they are tirelessly working for the welfare of their loved ones, which is service which we have already talked about how service breeds love, and Moroni and the sons of Alma are constantly preaching to them that they need to keep the commandments so that the Lord will be with them.
I've also had times, as I'm sure most people have, that I am so happy that even when bad things start to happen, it doesn't phase me. I'm so high on life and the Spirit that the bad thing that happens is not enough to kill my natural high. I think that is how the Nephites are at this period of time. We know it's not the happiest they will ever be, that comes much later. But it is nice to know and have confirmed that happiness comes from within, not based on external circumstances.
It really is true that we have full control of our own happiness. If we are living a life that invites the Spirit to be with us the majority of the time, then we will be happy and we will be able to CHOOSE to be happy. I've lived both kinds of lives, within reason the things I did wrong were not horrible grievous sins but they did drive away the Spirit, and I MUCH prefer to be happy and have the Spirit around me. I'm sure the Nephites did too. Until tomorrow.
Monday, September 27, 2010
The Battle between Good and Evil
Today I read Alma 49, where the Lamanites come against the Nephites for the first time after Amalickiah is their king. This chapter to me is interesting because it again shows the integrity of both the Nephites and the Lamanites. It's also a good reminder not to promise anything that you can't deliver. The Lamanite chief captains swore to attack the city of Noah no matter what and it led to their deaths and over a thousand of the Lamanite's deaths.
But the thing that strikes me about this chapter is the fact that the Lamanites had evolved to meet the changes in the Nephites. In the battle with Zerahemnah just a few years earlier, the Nephites had worn armor to protect themselves. Now, in this battle, the Lamanites are now wearing armor.
This is just like the adversary and his angels, when we resist a temptation, whatever it is, it comes back to attack us again later, even stronger than before. And if we are not ready for it, then we will fall. The Nephites in this chapter, if all they had to protect themselves were their armor, then they would have been slaughtered by the Lamanites because they would have been on equal ground and there were many, many more Lamanites than there were Nephites.
But Moroni understood this principle, that you have to always be preparing for the next attack. You can't stand still. Life in the Gospel, to me, is kind of like being on a moving sidewalk, like they have at the airport, but it's moving in the opposite direction that you are walking and trying to get to. If you stop moving, even for a second, you are going to lose ground. That is because in the gospel there is no standing still, there is no staying at the same level. You are either progressing or regressing.
I will give you an example from my own life. When I was in college, I was really bad about reading my scriptures. In fact, from the time I finished my mission, to the time I started really reading them again on a daily basis, I don't think I ever went so much as a month straight where I read my scriptures everyday. My spirituality started declining. I started watching rated R movies again, my language was not as clean as it should have been, I was moving backwards because I was not doing anything to keep myself moving forwards. The only thing I was doing on a consistent regular basis to keep myself going in the right direction was I was attending church every week.
Now, 10 years after my mission ended, instead of building on the wonderful base I made for myself on my mission with the scriptures, I am still working towards getting back to where I was. I think I am almost there again, at least where the scriptures are concerned. Fortunately I met a wonderful woman who would not allow me to continue with such vices as swearing and watching inappropriate media. As I slowly but surely walk against the grain that is the natural man, that sidewalk that moves in the wrong direction, I am almost back to that spot I allowed myself to leave 10 years ago. And once I get there, I have to go past it, or I will just fall, again.
If you all take nothing away from today's post than this, please learn this and learn it well: there is no standing still in the gospel. You are either progressing, or sliding back towards the natural man. I promise you that. It's not enough to just not sin. We have to actively take steps to get better and progress. It has to be a conscious choice. Think back to our moving sidewalk analogy, can you walk on it without paying attention to it? Maybe, but your likely hood of falling is significantly greater and if you fall on the morality sidewalk, you will travel a LONG way in the wrong direction before you can regain your feet.
And of course, since the sidewalk we are on is moving in the opposite direction of the way we want to go, we also have to contend with the other people on it, not just those moving the same direction we are who may be slower, but those who are only too happy to let the sidewalk take them where it will. If we stop to talk to those people....well you get the idea. We must be like Moroni and constantly defending ourselves and improving our protection against the adversary. As we do so, we will become better than we were today and slowly but surely accomplish our goal of eternal life! Until tomorrow.
But the thing that strikes me about this chapter is the fact that the Lamanites had evolved to meet the changes in the Nephites. In the battle with Zerahemnah just a few years earlier, the Nephites had worn armor to protect themselves. Now, in this battle, the Lamanites are now wearing armor.
This is just like the adversary and his angels, when we resist a temptation, whatever it is, it comes back to attack us again later, even stronger than before. And if we are not ready for it, then we will fall. The Nephites in this chapter, if all they had to protect themselves were their armor, then they would have been slaughtered by the Lamanites because they would have been on equal ground and there were many, many more Lamanites than there were Nephites.
But Moroni understood this principle, that you have to always be preparing for the next attack. You can't stand still. Life in the Gospel, to me, is kind of like being on a moving sidewalk, like they have at the airport, but it's moving in the opposite direction that you are walking and trying to get to. If you stop moving, even for a second, you are going to lose ground. That is because in the gospel there is no standing still, there is no staying at the same level. You are either progressing or regressing.
I will give you an example from my own life. When I was in college, I was really bad about reading my scriptures. In fact, from the time I finished my mission, to the time I started really reading them again on a daily basis, I don't think I ever went so much as a month straight where I read my scriptures everyday. My spirituality started declining. I started watching rated R movies again, my language was not as clean as it should have been, I was moving backwards because I was not doing anything to keep myself moving forwards. The only thing I was doing on a consistent regular basis to keep myself going in the right direction was I was attending church every week.
Now, 10 years after my mission ended, instead of building on the wonderful base I made for myself on my mission with the scriptures, I am still working towards getting back to where I was. I think I am almost there again, at least where the scriptures are concerned. Fortunately I met a wonderful woman who would not allow me to continue with such vices as swearing and watching inappropriate media. As I slowly but surely walk against the grain that is the natural man, that sidewalk that moves in the wrong direction, I am almost back to that spot I allowed myself to leave 10 years ago. And once I get there, I have to go past it, or I will just fall, again.
If you all take nothing away from today's post than this, please learn this and learn it well: there is no standing still in the gospel. You are either progressing, or sliding back towards the natural man. I promise you that. It's not enough to just not sin. We have to actively take steps to get better and progress. It has to be a conscious choice. Think back to our moving sidewalk analogy, can you walk on it without paying attention to it? Maybe, but your likely hood of falling is significantly greater and if you fall on the morality sidewalk, you will travel a LONG way in the wrong direction before you can regain your feet.
And of course, since the sidewalk we are on is moving in the opposite direction of the way we want to go, we also have to contend with the other people on it, not just those moving the same direction we are who may be slower, but those who are only too happy to let the sidewalk take them where it will. If we stop to talk to those people....well you get the idea. We must be like Moroni and constantly defending ourselves and improving our protection against the adversary. As we do so, we will become better than we were today and slowly but surely accomplish our goal of eternal life! Until tomorrow.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Labor exceedinly for the Welfare of your people
Today I read Alma 48, which is where most people talk about the character of Captain Moroni and Mormon makes his famous statement about Moroni which we have actually already discussed. The rest of the chapter is about what Moroni is doing to prepare his people and the fact that it is no sin to protect your lives and those of your loved ones if you were not guilty of the first offense.
The phrase that stood out to me in today's reading is where is said that Moroni did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people. And I got to wondering what that means. What does it mean to labor exceedingly for the welfare of your people? I think it all goes back to what the Savior said to the Israelites when he was alive as recorded in Mark 8:35: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it."
I think it has to do with being in service to our fellow man. Have you ever noticed if you read the 4 gospels, that Jesus never does anything for himself? I mean aside from the normal eating, sleeping and other things the body needs to stay alive, everything else He does is for someone else. There are even recordings of when He was trying to sleep and He'd get woken up, He would go out to the people and minister to them. Have you ever noticed that after his conversion we really don't have any recordings of Alma doing anything for himself beyond bodily needs either? Nor Captain Moroni. Do you see a pattern here?
I remember one time talking to my Dad and he told me a story about a friend of his from many years ago. The friend was apparently starting to lag in his church attendance and not enjoying going to church anymore. So I'm not sure how he got the idea but he decided to stop worrying about himself while at church. He would volunteer for everything, no matter what it was. And he noticed that within a few short weeks, he was looking forward to church each week and was really happy in life in general.
I discovered the same thing years ago. I'm pretty sure I have recorded the story previously but long story short, I realized as a teenager that I was happiest when I was giving service, no matter what the service was. Anytime I notice I'm starting to feel unhappy about something or need a pick me up, I look for opportunities to serve. And that's exactly what this scripture is talking about. It doesn't mean we all have to run out and join the armed forces and protect our lands, although you can do that if you so desire. What it means is to lose our selves for Jesus' sake and for the sake of the Gospel. To live our lives for others, not for ourselves. We need to overcome our own selfishness if we ever hope to live with God again someday. Do you think God does anything for Himself? Well, to be honest I have no idea, but I'll bet the vast majority of what he does is for us, His children.
The Book of Mormon is many, many things to lots of people, but the one thing it is for everyone, is a road map for a happy, successful life. If, as Elder Bednar says all the time, we have eyes to see and ears to hear, we will understand that. Hopefully I have helped point out enough spots where that is true that you all can believe it and understand what we are saying. I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you want to have a happy life here on this earth, serve others. If you want to overcome depression once and for all, live a life of service to others and forget about yourself. That is the true way to be happy. It's why temple worship feels so good! Because everything you do in the temple except for that first time, is for others. Think about it, ponder it and if you want to know the truth of MY words, pray about it, and you will see I am right! Until tomorrow.
The phrase that stood out to me in today's reading is where is said that Moroni did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people. And I got to wondering what that means. What does it mean to labor exceedingly for the welfare of your people? I think it all goes back to what the Savior said to the Israelites when he was alive as recorded in Mark 8:35: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it."
I think it has to do with being in service to our fellow man. Have you ever noticed if you read the 4 gospels, that Jesus never does anything for himself? I mean aside from the normal eating, sleeping and other things the body needs to stay alive, everything else He does is for someone else. There are even recordings of when He was trying to sleep and He'd get woken up, He would go out to the people and minister to them. Have you ever noticed that after his conversion we really don't have any recordings of Alma doing anything for himself beyond bodily needs either? Nor Captain Moroni. Do you see a pattern here?
I remember one time talking to my Dad and he told me a story about a friend of his from many years ago. The friend was apparently starting to lag in his church attendance and not enjoying going to church anymore. So I'm not sure how he got the idea but he decided to stop worrying about himself while at church. He would volunteer for everything, no matter what it was. And he noticed that within a few short weeks, he was looking forward to church each week and was really happy in life in general.
I discovered the same thing years ago. I'm pretty sure I have recorded the story previously but long story short, I realized as a teenager that I was happiest when I was giving service, no matter what the service was. Anytime I notice I'm starting to feel unhappy about something or need a pick me up, I look for opportunities to serve. And that's exactly what this scripture is talking about. It doesn't mean we all have to run out and join the armed forces and protect our lands, although you can do that if you so desire. What it means is to lose our selves for Jesus' sake and for the sake of the Gospel. To live our lives for others, not for ourselves. We need to overcome our own selfishness if we ever hope to live with God again someday. Do you think God does anything for Himself? Well, to be honest I have no idea, but I'll bet the vast majority of what he does is for us, His children.
The Book of Mormon is many, many things to lots of people, but the one thing it is for everyone, is a road map for a happy, successful life. If, as Elder Bednar says all the time, we have eyes to see and ears to hear, we will understand that. Hopefully I have helped point out enough spots where that is true that you all can believe it and understand what we are saying. I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you want to have a happy life here on this earth, serve others. If you want to overcome depression once and for all, live a life of service to others and forget about yourself. That is the true way to be happy. It's why temple worship feels so good! Because everything you do in the temple except for that first time, is for others. Think about it, ponder it and if you want to know the truth of MY words, pray about it, and you will see I am right! Until tomorrow.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Poisoned by Degrees
Today I read Alma 47, where Amalickiah gains his power over the Lamanites. Also in this chapter we have Lehonti, who is the opposite of Captain Moroni for all intents and purposes. We talked yesterday about how Moroni was valiant and even though he did not enjoy it, he killed his own people who would not promise to uphold liberty and freedom. He cut out any and all dissention right at the beginning. He was valiant to the end and resisted evil. Lehonti however, is a very different matter.
He started off so well. He did not want to do what he was commanded to do, what he knew was wrong. He resisted his temptations 3 times, flat out refused to even entertain the idea and kept to his guns as it were. However, the 4th time, when he thought he would be in control of the situation and be able to accomplish what he thought he wanted, he yielded. How differently would this entire period of history for the Nephites and Lamanites have turned out if he had been stalwart like Moroni?
And as it always is with sin, this is not where the story ended for poor Lehonti. The story states that Amalickiah had one of his servants administer poison by degrees to Lehonti until he died. And that is exactly what happens to us with sin. It is very, very rare that someone just jumps right into sin and commits adultery or commits murder. They are almost always led by the nose from sin, to sin, to sin until the Light of Christ has gone out of them completely. And that is what is meant by the scriptures where it says the devil leadeth them carefully down to hell.
But that is how he has to do it. Take a good upstanding LDS young man and woman. They have been taught their entire lives to wait until marriage to have sex. Neither of them would ever dream of violating that rule. And yet they, like Lehonti, resist the temptations the first time, the second time and even the third time, but that fourth time, when it seems like they are still in control, they yield on that first step. And then they are poisoned by degrees until they find themselves pregnant out of wedlock and their salvation at risk.
I remember being in college and my roommate started dating a really wonderful girl. After they had been dating for a month or so he came to me and asked me my thoughts on kissing and French kissing while dating. I remember I looked at him and told him that I was going to tell him something that he had probably never been told before. I told him that there was absolutely nothing wrong with French kissing before marriage. The problem though, is that French kissing is not the end, it’s a step. I went on to tell him that the problem with kissing and French kissing before being married is it starts out feeling wonderful, but pretty soon, it’s old and commonplace. It awakens emotions that need to be properly contained by marital covenants. I told him again that there is nothing wrong with kissing or French kissing, and for that matter there is nothing wrong with sex. BUT, they each have their own time and place to be used properly, and that is why the prophets and apostles strongly caution against French kissing before marriage, because most of us are not strong enough to resist the poisoning by degrees that starts the moment you start kissing, let alone French kissing.
I remember when I met my wife and we started dating and she told me that she had never kissed a boy and didn’t want to until her wedding day. I remember at first being a little sad, I really liked her after all, however when that wore off, I remember being extremely relieved that I didn’t have to worry about us nearly as much. The decision was made, we were not going to yield even a little. We were going to be Captain Moroni’s and cut out the potential cancer that could weaken us and make us unworthy of a temple marriage.
I am also reminded of the analogy of a stagecoach company that needed a new driver for a very dangerous route, one that took the coach on a very narrow stretch of road next to a cliff. They narrowed it down to 3 drivers and each driver was asked how close they could drive the coach to the edge. The first driver said he could get within 6 inches of the cliff and be OK. The 2nd driver said he could do 4 inches. But the third driver merely said, “I stay as far away from the edge as possible.” The 3rd driver was hired. It is like that with us, be it the Law of Chastity or the Word of Wisdom or any another commandment. We should stay strong and not even come close to approaching the edge.
As we stay strong against our temptations, we will find that we are strengthened and the next time we are tempted by our sins, it is a little easier to resist, and so on and so forth until we are no longer even tempted by that vice again. May we all be Moroni’s and not Lehonti’s. Until tomorrow.
He started off so well. He did not want to do what he was commanded to do, what he knew was wrong. He resisted his temptations 3 times, flat out refused to even entertain the idea and kept to his guns as it were. However, the 4th time, when he thought he would be in control of the situation and be able to accomplish what he thought he wanted, he yielded. How differently would this entire period of history for the Nephites and Lamanites have turned out if he had been stalwart like Moroni?
And as it always is with sin, this is not where the story ended for poor Lehonti. The story states that Amalickiah had one of his servants administer poison by degrees to Lehonti until he died. And that is exactly what happens to us with sin. It is very, very rare that someone just jumps right into sin and commits adultery or commits murder. They are almost always led by the nose from sin, to sin, to sin until the Light of Christ has gone out of them completely. And that is what is meant by the scriptures where it says the devil leadeth them carefully down to hell.
But that is how he has to do it. Take a good upstanding LDS young man and woman. They have been taught their entire lives to wait until marriage to have sex. Neither of them would ever dream of violating that rule. And yet they, like Lehonti, resist the temptations the first time, the second time and even the third time, but that fourth time, when it seems like they are still in control, they yield on that first step. And then they are poisoned by degrees until they find themselves pregnant out of wedlock and their salvation at risk.
I remember being in college and my roommate started dating a really wonderful girl. After they had been dating for a month or so he came to me and asked me my thoughts on kissing and French kissing while dating. I remember I looked at him and told him that I was going to tell him something that he had probably never been told before. I told him that there was absolutely nothing wrong with French kissing before marriage. The problem though, is that French kissing is not the end, it’s a step. I went on to tell him that the problem with kissing and French kissing before being married is it starts out feeling wonderful, but pretty soon, it’s old and commonplace. It awakens emotions that need to be properly contained by marital covenants. I told him again that there is nothing wrong with kissing or French kissing, and for that matter there is nothing wrong with sex. BUT, they each have their own time and place to be used properly, and that is why the prophets and apostles strongly caution against French kissing before marriage, because most of us are not strong enough to resist the poisoning by degrees that starts the moment you start kissing, let alone French kissing.
I remember when I met my wife and we started dating and she told me that she had never kissed a boy and didn’t want to until her wedding day. I remember at first being a little sad, I really liked her after all, however when that wore off, I remember being extremely relieved that I didn’t have to worry about us nearly as much. The decision was made, we were not going to yield even a little. We were going to be Captain Moroni’s and cut out the potential cancer that could weaken us and make us unworthy of a temple marriage.
I am also reminded of the analogy of a stagecoach company that needed a new driver for a very dangerous route, one that took the coach on a very narrow stretch of road next to a cliff. They narrowed it down to 3 drivers and each driver was asked how close they could drive the coach to the edge. The first driver said he could get within 6 inches of the cliff and be OK. The 2nd driver said he could do 4 inches. But the third driver merely said, “I stay as far away from the edge as possible.” The 3rd driver was hired. It is like that with us, be it the Law of Chastity or the Word of Wisdom or any another commandment. We should stay strong and not even come close to approaching the edge.
As we stay strong against our temptations, we will find that we are strengthened and the next time we are tempted by our sins, it is a little easier to resist, and so on and so forth until we are no longer even tempted by that vice again. May we all be Moroni’s and not Lehonti’s. Until tomorrow.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Captain Moroni
Today I read Alma 46, which most people will recognize as the chapter that Captain Moroni hoists the title of Liberty. I however, view this chapter as a good example instead of why Mormon later says his famous line about Moroni that if all men had been and would be men like Moroni, it would cause the powers of hell to shake. This chapter helps us understand why that is.
The reason Mormon said that about Moroni, and the reason it is true, can be found in verse 35. Moroni would not allow any dissention on the cause of freedom and liberty. When the people of Amalickiah were captured Moroni offered them a choice, swear an oath to uphold liberty, or be put to death.
Now to some that may seem harsh, but it is necessary. I remember a Sunday School lesson once that my Dad actually taught on the Old Testament. He talked about the Israelites taking over Israel when they moved in after their 40 years of wandering and how the Lord commanded them to slaughter every man, woman and child. My Dad asked why that was and no one had an answer. Then he said something profound. It only takes one spec to make something imperfect. Just one small, tiny imperfection makes it imperfect. The Lord knows that, that is why we are commanded to be perfect. Moroni knew it too.
Moroni recognized that if he allowed these people to live, who openly stated that they had no intention of upholding the freedoms of the people, it would spread like a cancer. He knew that as harsh as it was, just like a cancer, it had to be cut out immediately before it could spread. He was actually quite ruthless about it. But think of the benefits that were gained from doing this! What if each of us could cut out the imperfections in each of us just as effectively. What good could we do?
If each of us were as brutal with ourselves as Moroni was with the dissenters, the powers of hell really would be shaken forever, never to recover. If each of us could root out our imperfections with such tenacity, there would be peace on earth. That is why every man should strive to be a Captain Moroni. We should each of us strive to be the type of man who will not rest when an imperfection in ourselves is found until it is purged. That is why every young woman should strive to marry a Captain Moroni.
Now it should be pointed out of course that Moroni was not a bloodthirsty man. I fully believe that he took no pleasure in doing what had to be done. It was necessary and so he did it, but I believe it was hard for him to do. And that's the difference between Moroni and a tyrant who kills those who will not follow him. In the coming days we will talk more about Moroni and who we should all strive to be like him as we read the rest of the war chapters. For I believe this is the very reason they were included in the Book of Mormon. Until tomorrow.
The reason Mormon said that about Moroni, and the reason it is true, can be found in verse 35. Moroni would not allow any dissention on the cause of freedom and liberty. When the people of Amalickiah were captured Moroni offered them a choice, swear an oath to uphold liberty, or be put to death.
Now to some that may seem harsh, but it is necessary. I remember a Sunday School lesson once that my Dad actually taught on the Old Testament. He talked about the Israelites taking over Israel when they moved in after their 40 years of wandering and how the Lord commanded them to slaughter every man, woman and child. My Dad asked why that was and no one had an answer. Then he said something profound. It only takes one spec to make something imperfect. Just one small, tiny imperfection makes it imperfect. The Lord knows that, that is why we are commanded to be perfect. Moroni knew it too.
Moroni recognized that if he allowed these people to live, who openly stated that they had no intention of upholding the freedoms of the people, it would spread like a cancer. He knew that as harsh as it was, just like a cancer, it had to be cut out immediately before it could spread. He was actually quite ruthless about it. But think of the benefits that were gained from doing this! What if each of us could cut out the imperfections in each of us just as effectively. What good could we do?
If each of us were as brutal with ourselves as Moroni was with the dissenters, the powers of hell really would be shaken forever, never to recover. If each of us could root out our imperfections with such tenacity, there would be peace on earth. That is why every man should strive to be a Captain Moroni. We should each of us strive to be the type of man who will not rest when an imperfection in ourselves is found until it is purged. That is why every young woman should strive to marry a Captain Moroni.
Now it should be pointed out of course that Moroni was not a bloodthirsty man. I fully believe that he took no pleasure in doing what had to be done. It was necessary and so he did it, but I believe it was hard for him to do. And that's the difference between Moroni and a tyrant who kills those who will not follow him. In the coming days we will talk more about Moroni and who we should all strive to be like him as we read the rest of the war chapters. For I believe this is the very reason they were included in the Book of Mormon. Until tomorrow.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
The Reality of the Atonement
Today I read Alma 45, the last prophecy of Alma before he died. Except Alma didn't die, the thought is he was translated just like Moses was. That gives me great hope as it should to everyone.
We all know that Alma the Younger was one of the young men who went about seeking to destroy the church. By his own admonition he was one of the very vilest of sinners and he spiritually murdered several people. You don't get much worse than that. If we really think about it, he probably committed every sin in the book except denying the Holy Ghost and committing murder. And yet here he is being translated, or being received straight up to heaven without having to die first.
2 verses above this verse it talks about how God cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance. We know this to be true, and yet He took Alma into His bosom. Do you understand what that means? The Atonement works! I know that we all understand that the Atonement does what it is supposed to, but most people at some point will doubt the efficacy of the Atonement.
Last Sunday we had Stake Conference, as I have mentioned. Our Stake President spoke first during the Sunday session and one of the things he said really stuck with me. He said that many, far too many, people feel like they can never forgive themselves, that they have sinned too much. His response to those people kind of surprised me at first, but it doesn't anymore. He said he tells them that to think that way is to deny the Atonement. It's as if we were standing before the Savior and said to Him, "I know you have suffered for the sins of others, but you did not suffer for mine." Such thoughts are a mockery of the most sacred event that has ever happened.
He also said that this goes the same for people who say they cannot forgive themselves. In all honesty, yes I know Alma was an amazing man and prophet, but I can't help but wonder if his story is given such a central stage for so much of the Book of Mormon as an object lesson to others that yes, there is hope for you, the Atonement DOES work. I mean think about it. The sons of Mosiah were just as bad as Alma, and yet they are only given central stage in the Book of Mormon for 9 chapters.
Now, Alma also kept the record of the church for almost 20 years before his translation. However, I believe that was purposeful too. With a few exceptions, none of us will sin more than Alma did in his youth. And yet the Atonement worked for him. It worked so well that he was fully converted and could not sit idly by the scriptures say but was compelled to go out and preach the word. Some days I wish I could fully devote my life as he did to preaching the word of God. The only people I am aware of that do that in this day though are the apostles. So I have to be content to just be a good example and spread the gospel to those in my sphere of influence, and of course by writing this blog.
We should never fall into the trap of believing anything the devil tells us, especially if it concerns the Atonement. If you ever have questions about the Atonement, make it a matter of prayer and study the Atonement. You will quickly be put back on the right path. But I will end with this thought that again comes from my Stake President during Stake Conference that later Elder Bednar wholeheartedly endorsed. The Savior has already paid the price for every sin we will ever do! It's already been done. All we have to do is stop sinning and move on to better things. And I repeat, to not forgive ourselves is to deny the Atonement.
The Atonement works, and we have evidence of it here in Alma 45. Don't take it lightly, and if you have in the past, it is time to repent. Until tomorrow.
We all know that Alma the Younger was one of the young men who went about seeking to destroy the church. By his own admonition he was one of the very vilest of sinners and he spiritually murdered several people. You don't get much worse than that. If we really think about it, he probably committed every sin in the book except denying the Holy Ghost and committing murder. And yet here he is being translated, or being received straight up to heaven without having to die first.
2 verses above this verse it talks about how God cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance. We know this to be true, and yet He took Alma into His bosom. Do you understand what that means? The Atonement works! I know that we all understand that the Atonement does what it is supposed to, but most people at some point will doubt the efficacy of the Atonement.
Last Sunday we had Stake Conference, as I have mentioned. Our Stake President spoke first during the Sunday session and one of the things he said really stuck with me. He said that many, far too many, people feel like they can never forgive themselves, that they have sinned too much. His response to those people kind of surprised me at first, but it doesn't anymore. He said he tells them that to think that way is to deny the Atonement. It's as if we were standing before the Savior and said to Him, "I know you have suffered for the sins of others, but you did not suffer for mine." Such thoughts are a mockery of the most sacred event that has ever happened.
He also said that this goes the same for people who say they cannot forgive themselves. In all honesty, yes I know Alma was an amazing man and prophet, but I can't help but wonder if his story is given such a central stage for so much of the Book of Mormon as an object lesson to others that yes, there is hope for you, the Atonement DOES work. I mean think about it. The sons of Mosiah were just as bad as Alma, and yet they are only given central stage in the Book of Mormon for 9 chapters.
Now, Alma also kept the record of the church for almost 20 years before his translation. However, I believe that was purposeful too. With a few exceptions, none of us will sin more than Alma did in his youth. And yet the Atonement worked for him. It worked so well that he was fully converted and could not sit idly by the scriptures say but was compelled to go out and preach the word. Some days I wish I could fully devote my life as he did to preaching the word of God. The only people I am aware of that do that in this day though are the apostles. So I have to be content to just be a good example and spread the gospel to those in my sphere of influence, and of course by writing this blog.
We should never fall into the trap of believing anything the devil tells us, especially if it concerns the Atonement. If you ever have questions about the Atonement, make it a matter of prayer and study the Atonement. You will quickly be put back on the right path. But I will end with this thought that again comes from my Stake President during Stake Conference that later Elder Bednar wholeheartedly endorsed. The Savior has already paid the price for every sin we will ever do! It's already been done. All we have to do is stop sinning and move on to better things. And I repeat, to not forgive ourselves is to deny the Atonement.
The Atonement works, and we have evidence of it here in Alma 45. Don't take it lightly, and if you have in the past, it is time to repent. Until tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Integrity
Today I read Alma 44, the continuation of the account of the Nephites battle against Zerahemnah. Believe it or not, the part of this chapter that stands out to me as a whole is integrity. Integrity is known as the adherence to a moral or ethical principle. And the person who's integrity impresses me in this chapter is Zerahemnah.
By this chapter, the Nephites led by the armies of Moroni and Lehi have completely surrounded the Lamanites and it is only a matter of time before the Lamanite army is wiped out. Moroni being a good and righteous man offers them a way out, but giving up their weapons and promising to never return again to battle. Now, most people when they read Zerahemnah's response probably can only think about how stubborn he is that he won't promise Moroni such a simple thing to save his life and the life of his men. However, look at his response: "...but we will not suffer ourselves to take an oath unto you, which we know that we shall break, and also our children;"
Believe it or not, that is showing integrity. The reason he would not take the oath and save his people is because he knew he would not be able to keep such an oath, and rather than lie and take the oath with the intent to break it later, he chose to die instead of break an oath. THAT is powerful! Now, Zerahemnah was an evil man who came up to war in the first place, and he was by no means the only person who felt this way, he's just the only one in this chapter.
Think what it would mean in this day and age if people would rather die as opposed to break their promise. What a world that would be. No more contracts within contracts. How amazing would it be when even a promise made to an enemy was sacred and would be kept. We are told that once upon a time in America men and women also had such integrity, but not anymore. Not very many people feel this strongly about keeping their word anymore.
What is even more amazing to me about this chapter is the fact that there would be no real consequences if Zerahemnah made the oath and then broke it beyond his potential death in a war which was a certainty anyway if he went to war. How many people do things only out of fear of punishment? I'm ashamed to admit there are things in my past that I did only because I didn't want to get in trouble. But no, there would have been no punishment for breaking such an oath beyond the personal and perhaps social shame of it. And yet he chose death rather than to take an oath he knew he could not keep. I'll say it again, that's powerful!
I wish everyone kept their word that studiously. I wish I did. I could certainly be better about it. I do find comfort in that I think most people do try, but people's memories are not what they used to be. I know that is mostly my excuse. But I do enjoy when I have the reputation at work that if you give me something to do, it will get done and get done right. That is what it means to keep your word.
We may not be able to have the integrity of the Nephites and Lamanites and studiousness of keeping our word right away, but being able to keep your word is a reputation you can build on, one day at a time. Hopefully each of us can examine our lives and find where we are lacking in keeping our word and for what reason and work on correcting it. It really is that important. I know I will make changes to do so. Until tomorrow.
By this chapter, the Nephites led by the armies of Moroni and Lehi have completely surrounded the Lamanites and it is only a matter of time before the Lamanite army is wiped out. Moroni being a good and righteous man offers them a way out, but giving up their weapons and promising to never return again to battle. Now, most people when they read Zerahemnah's response probably can only think about how stubborn he is that he won't promise Moroni such a simple thing to save his life and the life of his men. However, look at his response: "...but we will not suffer ourselves to take an oath unto you, which we know that we shall break, and also our children;"
Believe it or not, that is showing integrity. The reason he would not take the oath and save his people is because he knew he would not be able to keep such an oath, and rather than lie and take the oath with the intent to break it later, he chose to die instead of break an oath. THAT is powerful! Now, Zerahemnah was an evil man who came up to war in the first place, and he was by no means the only person who felt this way, he's just the only one in this chapter.
Think what it would mean in this day and age if people would rather die as opposed to break their promise. What a world that would be. No more contracts within contracts. How amazing would it be when even a promise made to an enemy was sacred and would be kept. We are told that once upon a time in America men and women also had such integrity, but not anymore. Not very many people feel this strongly about keeping their word anymore.
What is even more amazing to me about this chapter is the fact that there would be no real consequences if Zerahemnah made the oath and then broke it beyond his potential death in a war which was a certainty anyway if he went to war. How many people do things only out of fear of punishment? I'm ashamed to admit there are things in my past that I did only because I didn't want to get in trouble. But no, there would have been no punishment for breaking such an oath beyond the personal and perhaps social shame of it. And yet he chose death rather than to take an oath he knew he could not keep. I'll say it again, that's powerful!
I wish everyone kept their word that studiously. I wish I did. I could certainly be better about it. I do find comfort in that I think most people do try, but people's memories are not what they used to be. I know that is mostly my excuse. But I do enjoy when I have the reputation at work that if you give me something to do, it will get done and get done right. That is what it means to keep your word.
We may not be able to have the integrity of the Nephites and Lamanites and studiousness of keeping our word right away, but being able to keep your word is a reputation you can build on, one day at a time. Hopefully each of us can examine our lives and find where we are lacking in keeping our word and for what reason and work on correcting it. It really is that important. I know I will make changes to do so. Until tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The War Chapters
Today I read Alma 43, the beginning of the war chapters in the Book of Mormon. As a teenager, I had never really thought about it much, because I was a teenage boy and enjoyed them, but as I've gotten older I've often wondered why in the scriptures did Mormon include the war chapters? Moreover, why THESE war chapters? As we read the rest of the Book of Mormon, there are other wars, some that went on longer and were much more involved, so why did these war chapters get included?
The answer is because they are unique and we can learn something from them. A part of me doesn't wonder if it might also be because Moroni was one of Mormon's heroes. I mean he even named his son after him. But I think that is a very small part of it. Because no matter how much he liked and thought of Moroni, Mormon would not have included these chapters if the Spirit had not prompted him to do so.
So the real question we have to ask ourselves is what can we learn from these chapters? Well, for starters, there are some VERY remarkable men in these chapters and during these years of the Nephite history. Moroni, Lehi, Teancum and Pahoran for starters. Also I believe it is important for us all to know that it is ok for us to defend our lands from those who would seek unrighteous dominion over us.
There is another aspect too. Unrighteous dominion does not only come in the form of physical power. Think about what is happening in the world today. We are being bowled over by those who would subject us to their ideals and their whims. We are under fire because of our morals and our believes and some even dare to call us bigots because we do not engage in what they term "tolerance". I think we are to learn from these chapters that we are to stand up for our rights, for our liberties and our religious freedoms. We are to be the city on the hill and to be the light shining into the spiritual darkness of this life and this world.
In a few chapters hence we will discuss the character of Moroni himself. I do not wish to steal my own thunder by doing it here. But these men in this particular chapter, did not stand idly by when their ideals and freedoms were threatened. Nor did they allow themselves to be called bigots because they stood up for what is right.
We are currently under fire in this world and being pushed ever closer to the cliffs of destruction and people, instead of standing up to the evils of the world and being united as the Nephites were, are going along as docile as a herd of cows to the slaughter! I think these chapters are meant to remind us that we are meant to stand up for what is right and to fight, in the appropriate channels of course, for what we believe in and for what we know to be right! Hopefully we can expound on this thought in the coming weeks. Until tomorrow.
The answer is because they are unique and we can learn something from them. A part of me doesn't wonder if it might also be because Moroni was one of Mormon's heroes. I mean he even named his son after him. But I think that is a very small part of it. Because no matter how much he liked and thought of Moroni, Mormon would not have included these chapters if the Spirit had not prompted him to do so.
So the real question we have to ask ourselves is what can we learn from these chapters? Well, for starters, there are some VERY remarkable men in these chapters and during these years of the Nephite history. Moroni, Lehi, Teancum and Pahoran for starters. Also I believe it is important for us all to know that it is ok for us to defend our lands from those who would seek unrighteous dominion over us.
There is another aspect too. Unrighteous dominion does not only come in the form of physical power. Think about what is happening in the world today. We are being bowled over by those who would subject us to their ideals and their whims. We are under fire because of our morals and our believes and some even dare to call us bigots because we do not engage in what they term "tolerance". I think we are to learn from these chapters that we are to stand up for our rights, for our liberties and our religious freedoms. We are to be the city on the hill and to be the light shining into the spiritual darkness of this life and this world.
In a few chapters hence we will discuss the character of Moroni himself. I do not wish to steal my own thunder by doing it here. But these men in this particular chapter, did not stand idly by when their ideals and freedoms were threatened. Nor did they allow themselves to be called bigots because they stood up for what is right.
We are currently under fire in this world and being pushed ever closer to the cliffs of destruction and people, instead of standing up to the evils of the world and being united as the Nephites were, are going along as docile as a herd of cows to the slaughter! I think these chapters are meant to remind us that we are meant to stand up for what is right and to fight, in the appropriate channels of course, for what we believe in and for what we know to be right! Hopefully we can expound on this thought in the coming weeks. Until tomorrow.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Justice vs. Mercy
Today I read Alma 42, the concluding chapter in Alma's talk with Corianton. This is the chapter where he really lays out the plan of salvation to his son, who is having trouble understanding it and mistakenly thinks it is not just for God to restore evil for evil.
However, as Alma points out to his son, God HAS to do that. Because He cannot rob justice. There are laws that even God must follow. He cannot break them anymore than we humans can defy gravity without assistance. Alma really does lay it out on a very, very basic format for Corianton.
The central message that I take away from this chapter is that Mercy cannot rob Justice. Now, the important thing to understand here, is we are talking about paying the price for the suffering sin causes. I hope by now I have made it abundantly clear that where we finally end up is going to be determined completely by us, meaning what kind of life we have lived, what type of person we are and what things we enjoy. And no matter where we end up, we will be happy. I hope that is clear to everyone who reads this, since we've only talked about it, oh about 5 times so far! :)
No, Alma is talking about the effects of sin and paying the price for sin. THIS is the part that mercy cannot rob justice. Somehow, someway, someone has to pay the price for all sin that has ever been done, or ever will be done. And He has already. Jesus Christ has already paid the price for everything we will ever do. However, there is a price we too must pay to take advantage of this Atonement. It is not free, like the resurrection is. And those who choose not to take advantage of the Atonement will have to suffer for their own sins, needlessly since the Savior has already done it!
But because the Savior has already met the demands of justice for each of us, if we allow Him to, all we have to do is pay His price He asks of us to take advantage of it. The price He asks is a broken heart and a contrite spirit. He only asks that we live a better life going forward than we have in the past. That we live the kind of life He lived. Sadly, for some, that is WAY too high a price to pay. I cannot understand that thought. Oh I can understand being trapped in sin and desiring a way out and so because of the sins which do beset us we cannot find the way out, that I can understand. But what I cannot comprehend are those who look at the price and laugh or scoff at the notion of not doing what they want and of someone else telling them what to do. Biding them down to bondage I think Korihor called it in Alma 30. It is people like Korihor that think living a good, kind, sin free life is too high a price to pay, which is sad.
We have already dealt with the idea that we receive our reward according to our desires, that we will obtain the degree of glory that we desire! We have also already dealt with the concept that we need God's help to change ourselves if we aren't satisfied with our current desires. And so we have come full circle and in the course of 4 chapters have examined the plan of salvation. I will leave you with one final thought that Elder Bednar shared with us on Saturday night. He said that the blessing from living the commandments is more commandments.
Now on the surface that doesn't seem like such a good thing to some people. Even I was taken aback right at first. But that is because those people have forgotten or don't understand what commandments are. Remember, as we have talked about in the past, commandments are attributes of God. So really we can look at it this way, the blessing of living the commandments is more knowledge of God's character! Or we can even break it down even further, the blessings of living like God, is understanding God even better and being given the opportunity to become even more like Him! Now it makes more sense. Now it DOES seem like a blessing. It's all about how you perceive it and what your desires are, a theme it seems like we have been talking about all weekend.
As Elder Bednar constantly says, those who have eyes to see and ears to hear will understand what I am saying. Others might think I am crazy, but it is my testimony that the things I have taught over the last few days as we have examined Alma's counsel to his son are true. That Jesus suffered so that we may not have to. That we have the choice to determine what type of person we want to be and with God's help we can be that person. This I so testify in the sacred name of the Savior, Jesus Christ, amen. Until tomorrow.
However, as Alma points out to his son, God HAS to do that. Because He cannot rob justice. There are laws that even God must follow. He cannot break them anymore than we humans can defy gravity without assistance. Alma really does lay it out on a very, very basic format for Corianton.
The central message that I take away from this chapter is that Mercy cannot rob Justice. Now, the important thing to understand here, is we are talking about paying the price for the suffering sin causes. I hope by now I have made it abundantly clear that where we finally end up is going to be determined completely by us, meaning what kind of life we have lived, what type of person we are and what things we enjoy. And no matter where we end up, we will be happy. I hope that is clear to everyone who reads this, since we've only talked about it, oh about 5 times so far! :)
No, Alma is talking about the effects of sin and paying the price for sin. THIS is the part that mercy cannot rob justice. Somehow, someway, someone has to pay the price for all sin that has ever been done, or ever will be done. And He has already. Jesus Christ has already paid the price for everything we will ever do. However, there is a price we too must pay to take advantage of this Atonement. It is not free, like the resurrection is. And those who choose not to take advantage of the Atonement will have to suffer for their own sins, needlessly since the Savior has already done it!
But because the Savior has already met the demands of justice for each of us, if we allow Him to, all we have to do is pay His price He asks of us to take advantage of it. The price He asks is a broken heart and a contrite spirit. He only asks that we live a better life going forward than we have in the past. That we live the kind of life He lived. Sadly, for some, that is WAY too high a price to pay. I cannot understand that thought. Oh I can understand being trapped in sin and desiring a way out and so because of the sins which do beset us we cannot find the way out, that I can understand. But what I cannot comprehend are those who look at the price and laugh or scoff at the notion of not doing what they want and of someone else telling them what to do. Biding them down to bondage I think Korihor called it in Alma 30. It is people like Korihor that think living a good, kind, sin free life is too high a price to pay, which is sad.
We have already dealt with the idea that we receive our reward according to our desires, that we will obtain the degree of glory that we desire! We have also already dealt with the concept that we need God's help to change ourselves if we aren't satisfied with our current desires. And so we have come full circle and in the course of 4 chapters have examined the plan of salvation. I will leave you with one final thought that Elder Bednar shared with us on Saturday night. He said that the blessing from living the commandments is more commandments.
Now on the surface that doesn't seem like such a good thing to some people. Even I was taken aback right at first. But that is because those people have forgotten or don't understand what commandments are. Remember, as we have talked about in the past, commandments are attributes of God. So really we can look at it this way, the blessing of living the commandments is more knowledge of God's character! Or we can even break it down even further, the blessings of living like God, is understanding God even better and being given the opportunity to become even more like Him! Now it makes more sense. Now it DOES seem like a blessing. It's all about how you perceive it and what your desires are, a theme it seems like we have been talking about all weekend.
As Elder Bednar constantly says, those who have eyes to see and ears to hear will understand what I am saying. Others might think I am crazy, but it is my testimony that the things I have taught over the last few days as we have examined Alma's counsel to his son are true. That Jesus suffered so that we may not have to. That we have the choice to determine what type of person we want to be and with God's help we can be that person. This I so testify in the sacred name of the Savior, Jesus Christ, amen. Until tomorrow.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Wickedness Never was Happiness
Today I read Alma 41, a continuation of Alma's talk with his son Corianton. In this chapter Alma talks more about the judgment and about the type of person his son is. This chapter also contains the line, "wickedness never was happiness".
Yesterday in Stake Conference Elder Bednar said something that reminded me of this chapter. He gave us a measuring stick to determine what our level of conversion to the gospel is. He asked us to examine our lives and to find out if we enjoy living the gospel, or do we find it a burden?
I thought that was really profound and yet really simple. It goes along with what we have talked about before this and really makes you evaluate yourself. It makes you think about what type of friends you hang out with and how you are spending your time. Elder Bednar also made the statement yesterday that the world has nothing to offer, nothing of real value at all.
Nothing about the world brings happiness or even joy, just gratification, another statement Elder Bednar made yesterday. I know it doesn't seem like it, but he really did talk about more than just the type of people we are. Verse 6 contains a really interesting phrase, "desired righteousness". Like we've talked about before in the past it really is all about what type of person we are. And that is really the key I think, what are our desires?
We can change ourselves. The scriptures teach us that this is the time to prepare to meet God, and we can repent and we can change ourselves. The problem is we need to want to change. Some people have been deluded into thinking that they are happy not living the Gospel. That's why it is important to surround ourselves with those that help make it easier to live the Gospel. That's how I knew I wanted to marry my wife. When I was considering whether or not to marry my wife, I was amazed at how easy it was to live the Gospel. That's when I knew that she was the one for me.
As we grow, we have the opportunity to live whatever life we want to live. It is a true test of who we want to be when there is no longer anyone to tell us what to do anymore. I don't believe people when they say they are only doing things to check it out and find out if they want to keep doing it, to see what's it like, what the hype is. People use this excuse all the time to do things they should not be doing, like drink alcohol. There is no reason to drink alcohol to find out what it is all about, all you have to do is watch other people make the mistake. People drink alcohol because they want to, regardless of what they say.
The long and short of it, we are who we choose to be. Just like we will end up where we choose to end up after this life. Our actions will determine where that is, and where ever it is, we will be pleased with it, because we will be surrounded by those people we want to be around. We can make changes and can ask God for help in changing ourselves, because we can't really change ourselves on our own. But with God's help we can change ourselves. All we have to do is ask Him. Until tomorrow.
Yesterday in Stake Conference Elder Bednar said something that reminded me of this chapter. He gave us a measuring stick to determine what our level of conversion to the gospel is. He asked us to examine our lives and to find out if we enjoy living the gospel, or do we find it a burden?
I thought that was really profound and yet really simple. It goes along with what we have talked about before this and really makes you evaluate yourself. It makes you think about what type of friends you hang out with and how you are spending your time. Elder Bednar also made the statement yesterday that the world has nothing to offer, nothing of real value at all.
Nothing about the world brings happiness or even joy, just gratification, another statement Elder Bednar made yesterday. I know it doesn't seem like it, but he really did talk about more than just the type of people we are. Verse 6 contains a really interesting phrase, "desired righteousness". Like we've talked about before in the past it really is all about what type of person we are. And that is really the key I think, what are our desires?
We can change ourselves. The scriptures teach us that this is the time to prepare to meet God, and we can repent and we can change ourselves. The problem is we need to want to change. Some people have been deluded into thinking that they are happy not living the Gospel. That's why it is important to surround ourselves with those that help make it easier to live the Gospel. That's how I knew I wanted to marry my wife. When I was considering whether or not to marry my wife, I was amazed at how easy it was to live the Gospel. That's when I knew that she was the one for me.
As we grow, we have the opportunity to live whatever life we want to live. It is a true test of who we want to be when there is no longer anyone to tell us what to do anymore. I don't believe people when they say they are only doing things to check it out and find out if they want to keep doing it, to see what's it like, what the hype is. People use this excuse all the time to do things they should not be doing, like drink alcohol. There is no reason to drink alcohol to find out what it is all about, all you have to do is watch other people make the mistake. People drink alcohol because they want to, regardless of what they say.
The long and short of it, we are who we choose to be. Just like we will end up where we choose to end up after this life. Our actions will determine where that is, and where ever it is, we will be pleased with it, because we will be surrounded by those people we want to be around. We can make changes and can ask God for help in changing ourselves, because we can't really change ourselves on our own. But with God's help we can change ourselves. All we have to do is ask Him. Until tomorrow.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Life after Death
Today I read Alma 40, the continuation of Alma's talk with his son Corianton. From what Alma writes in this chapter, his son Corianton, was very confused why the Lord would explain the plan of salvation so far in advance to mankind. Like Alma, I am left to wonder why he would be confused or troubled by this fact. I too believe a soul is just a precious before the Lord came to Earth as it is now.
As Alma proceeds to lay it all out for his son, we are given a glimpse into the Spirit world and what it will be like. Today was a wonderful, full day. Today I worked from 6:30 am until 2:30 pm when I then left for Stake Conference. For Stake Conference, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles came and visited our stake. I was able to attend the Priesthood leadership sessions which was entirely a question and answer session and attend the adult Saturday evening session with Crys and Rayne.
Both sessions were wonderful and as Crys and I were eating dinner afterwords I was commenting on how wonderful it was to me that Elder Bednar commented on so many things that I have touched on in this blog and moreover, that what he said agrees 100% with what I have put here on my blog. That was a good feeling. One of the questions he was asked during the Priesthood session deals with exactly what Alma 40 talks about, the life after this one and the final judgment.
Elder Bednar mentioned that he shakes the hands of thousands of people every year and every time there are those that will not look him in the eye. He says it is because they are afraid of what he might see in them and that is the judgment right there! They are uncomfortable to be around him, because he radiates goodness and the Spirit. If they can't even stand to be around him, who is human, how and why would they want to be around Heavenly Father?
The most compelling part of this chapter for me though, is the fact that Alma doesn't feel the need to have it all figured out. He states that he knows there will be a resurrection, and that all will be resurrected, but he has no idea how it is all ultimately going to play out, and he's OK with that! That to me is very cool. How many people delve into the deep mysteries of the gospel, having to know every single detail, and yet, Alma who gets translated a few short months after this conversation with his son, is OK knowing it is all in God's hands.
Elder Bednar actually invited all the Priesthood brethren to study Mosiah 23 - Alma 40 to learn about leadership from Alma. From tonight's meetings, it is clear to me that Alma is one of his heroes, and I can understand why. Alma was a perfect example of ministering one to one, directly to the people, just like the Savior did. I thought it was pretty neat that I have spent the last month and then some studying those exact chapters and blogging about them.
As you can tell, my thoughts are really scattered right now. However, there truly is not very much I can expound on from chapter 40 right now, Alma puts it all so eloquently, and I am still full of the Spirit from Elder Bednar's talks. Perhaps next go around I will have more to say on Alma 40 than I have tonight. Perhaps not. Until tomorrow.
As Alma proceeds to lay it all out for his son, we are given a glimpse into the Spirit world and what it will be like. Today was a wonderful, full day. Today I worked from 6:30 am until 2:30 pm when I then left for Stake Conference. For Stake Conference, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles came and visited our stake. I was able to attend the Priesthood leadership sessions which was entirely a question and answer session and attend the adult Saturday evening session with Crys and Rayne.
Both sessions were wonderful and as Crys and I were eating dinner afterwords I was commenting on how wonderful it was to me that Elder Bednar commented on so many things that I have touched on in this blog and moreover, that what he said agrees 100% with what I have put here on my blog. That was a good feeling. One of the questions he was asked during the Priesthood session deals with exactly what Alma 40 talks about, the life after this one and the final judgment.
Elder Bednar mentioned that he shakes the hands of thousands of people every year and every time there are those that will not look him in the eye. He says it is because they are afraid of what he might see in them and that is the judgment right there! They are uncomfortable to be around him, because he radiates goodness and the Spirit. If they can't even stand to be around him, who is human, how and why would they want to be around Heavenly Father?
The most compelling part of this chapter for me though, is the fact that Alma doesn't feel the need to have it all figured out. He states that he knows there will be a resurrection, and that all will be resurrected, but he has no idea how it is all ultimately going to play out, and he's OK with that! That to me is very cool. How many people delve into the deep mysteries of the gospel, having to know every single detail, and yet, Alma who gets translated a few short months after this conversation with his son, is OK knowing it is all in God's hands.
Elder Bednar actually invited all the Priesthood brethren to study Mosiah 23 - Alma 40 to learn about leadership from Alma. From tonight's meetings, it is clear to me that Alma is one of his heroes, and I can understand why. Alma was a perfect example of ministering one to one, directly to the people, just like the Savior did. I thought it was pretty neat that I have spent the last month and then some studying those exact chapters and blogging about them.
As you can tell, my thoughts are really scattered right now. However, there truly is not very much I can expound on from chapter 40 right now, Alma puts it all so eloquently, and I am still full of the Spirit from Elder Bednar's talks. Perhaps next go around I will have more to say on Alma 40 than I have tonight. Perhaps not. Until tomorrow.
Friday, September 17, 2010
We are always being watched
Today I read Alma 39, Alma's opening statements to his son Corianton. Corianton was one of the two that had gone with Alma to the Zoramites along with Shiblon. Unlike Shiblon however, Corianton did not preach the word as he should have. Rather he left the mission field and went after a prostitute named Isabel.
As can be imagined, Alma is deeply grieved by this and he makes a statement in what might arguably be my favorite verse in the Book of Mormon. In verse 11, the 2nd half of the verse, Alma says: "...O my son, how great iniquity ye brought upon the Zoramites for when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words. " In my last set of scriptures, I had written in the margins under this verse, "we are always being watched".
How many of us who read this who are Latter-day Saints have heard someone say when they discover we are LDS that they used to know an LDS person and then they proceed to tell you exactly what type of person they were. You can also tell by the way they describe the person and the way they talk about it, how they feel about the church, and in 90% of the cases if it was a bad LDS person, they don't like the church, and vice versa.
As unfair as it may seem, people judge the church based on their one interaction with an LDS person. But as I think about it, this is not so uncommon. We do it with everything. We do it to people of different elasticities than ourselves, different cultures and backgrounds and even different cities. We have all had that experience where we meet 1 person from a place and think to ourselves, "Oh that must be how everyone from (insert name here) is."
Unfortunately, since most LDS people are not in the habit of announcing who they are, the people of the world are much more likely to meet two people from Montana in the course of their lives as they are to know that they have met two LDS people. However, if someone has met an LDS person who lived their religion, they are VERY adept at recognizing another one. I have had dozens of people come up and ask me if I am LDS that I know for a fact I never mentioned it to them. They just know the signs. I am not shy about the fact that I do not work Sundays because of my religion, that I don't drink alcohol, don't smoke or drink coffee or tea. While I have a slip up every now and then, people recognize that I don't use swear words or other foul language, that I don't tell off color jokes.
In a way that is a HUGE compliment, that I am doing a good job of living my religion. On the other hand it is a tremendous pressure. I sometimes feel like a bug in a jar, and all eyes are on me. I really hate it when I hear people say, "Wow, I would have never thought I'd hear you say that, Fred." That lets me know, no questions asked, that I have screwed up. And it always helps me be better next time I am faced with that scenario.
I have no idea how often is happens, but I wonder how many people meet another LDS person and reminisce about me and say that they knew a "Mormon" once and they liked him and he was a good person, etc, etc. I sincerely hope that no one speaking about me mentions they knew a "Mormon" once and boy was he a such and such. But one never knows. I think sometimes we meet people who recognize us as LDS but don't ever say anything. Hopefully in those cases, I have left a good name for our religion in their minds, but I know myself and it's all too possible that I may have been having a weak moment and left them with a sour taste in their mouth.
I will end here because I could literally go on for days on this subject. Suffice it to say, be who you want people to remember you as, always. Because they will remember you once they know you are LDS, and by the time they realize it, the impression is already made. So live your life the way you want to be remembered. That is how I live mine and I have very few regrets. Until tomorrow.
As can be imagined, Alma is deeply grieved by this and he makes a statement in what might arguably be my favorite verse in the Book of Mormon. In verse 11, the 2nd half of the verse, Alma says: "...O my son, how great iniquity ye brought upon the Zoramites for when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words. " In my last set of scriptures, I had written in the margins under this verse, "we are always being watched".
How many of us who read this who are Latter-day Saints have heard someone say when they discover we are LDS that they used to know an LDS person and then they proceed to tell you exactly what type of person they were. You can also tell by the way they describe the person and the way they talk about it, how they feel about the church, and in 90% of the cases if it was a bad LDS person, they don't like the church, and vice versa.
As unfair as it may seem, people judge the church based on their one interaction with an LDS person. But as I think about it, this is not so uncommon. We do it with everything. We do it to people of different elasticities than ourselves, different cultures and backgrounds and even different cities. We have all had that experience where we meet 1 person from a place and think to ourselves, "Oh that must be how everyone from (insert name here) is."
Unfortunately, since most LDS people are not in the habit of announcing who they are, the people of the world are much more likely to meet two people from Montana in the course of their lives as they are to know that they have met two LDS people. However, if someone has met an LDS person who lived their religion, they are VERY adept at recognizing another one. I have had dozens of people come up and ask me if I am LDS that I know for a fact I never mentioned it to them. They just know the signs. I am not shy about the fact that I do not work Sundays because of my religion, that I don't drink alcohol, don't smoke or drink coffee or tea. While I have a slip up every now and then, people recognize that I don't use swear words or other foul language, that I don't tell off color jokes.
In a way that is a HUGE compliment, that I am doing a good job of living my religion. On the other hand it is a tremendous pressure. I sometimes feel like a bug in a jar, and all eyes are on me. I really hate it when I hear people say, "Wow, I would have never thought I'd hear you say that, Fred." That lets me know, no questions asked, that I have screwed up. And it always helps me be better next time I am faced with that scenario.
I have no idea how often is happens, but I wonder how many people meet another LDS person and reminisce about me and say that they knew a "Mormon" once and they liked him and he was a good person, etc, etc. I sincerely hope that no one speaking about me mentions they knew a "Mormon" once and boy was he a such and such. But one never knows. I think sometimes we meet people who recognize us as LDS but don't ever say anything. Hopefully in those cases, I have left a good name for our religion in their minds, but I know myself and it's all too possible that I may have been having a weak moment and left them with a sour taste in their mouth.
I will end here because I could literally go on for days on this subject. Suffice it to say, be who you want people to remember you as, always. Because they will remember you once they know you are LDS, and by the time they realize it, the impression is already made. So live your life the way you want to be remembered. That is how I live mine and I have very few regrets. Until tomorrow.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Rely upon the Lord
Today I read Alma 38, Alma's words to his son Shiblon. He gives some good counsel to his son, but it is also considerably shorter than what he says to his other two sons. I believe this may be because of Shiblon's faithfulness, based on what Alma says to him.
The part that resonates with me, is when Alma mentions the adversities Shiblon suffered at the hands of the Zoramites and the fact that he did not revile against them. But rather he bore it all with patience and gave Alma much joy. He mentions that the reason Shiblon could do that is because the Lord was with him.
This reminds me very much of the old poem, footprints in the sand. Where a man has a dream that he is walking along a beach with the Savior and is upset because at times there is only one set of footprints visible, and it was during the most rough parts of his life. When he asks the Savior why he left him just when he needed him most, the Savior replied that those were the times that He had carried the man.
I've had times like that, times where I was faced with something and I wasn't sure how I could get through it, or when I look back at it, I don't know how I did get through it. I had one of those moments just a week or so ago actually. I woke up in such pain as I have never felt before in my life and it went on, and on, and on. It was a very difficult day, and I truly believe the Lord was with me, helping me get through it.
It can be a challenging thing to rely on the Lord though, to relinquish that control over your life and leave it up to Him. The hardest time I had with it was when I wanted to get married so badly. I was looking everywhere, trying everything I could think of. And yet, I kept receiving blessings saying marriage was being withheld for a reason and I just needed to be patient, that it was so close. I'm sad to say that I didn't so much as relinquish control to Him as I did give up in bitterness. That was one challenge in my life, of my own making even, that I could have handled so much better. But I am human and fallible. I make mistakes with the best of them.
The really sad thing that occurs to me as I sit here and think about it, is how many of our trials are of our own making. Our sins and the effects of sin are completely of our making. Our shortcomings as people, most of them anyway, are of our own making. We are commanded to rely upon God and turn to him to help us with our weaknesses. Per Ether 12:26 we are given weaknesses for the express purpose of getting us to come to God.
The funny thing about trials though, is yes they do stretch us, but they are perfect for us and usually when we hear about other people's trials we begin to realize how good out life really is. I am one of those lucky people without many trials, it makes me worried that maybe I'm not living a righteous enough life and so Satan is not concentrating enough on me :p, my wife says it's not that I don't have trials, I'm just really adept at forgetting the harsh moments of my life. Since I can't remember, I can't tell if she's right or not. LOL. Nevertheless, I digress. Our trials are perfect for us and usually just what we can handle. Yes sometimes we see other people's "trials" and complain that why can't we have that trial, or want to shake our head in disgust that someone is having trouble with that.
And then there are those people that tell you about their life and you just blanch in horror and wonder how they ever got through it and thank the Lord that your life is so easy. But regardless of what our trials are, we need to rely upon the Lord and make Him our partner in all things. Then will we be able to accomplish all things and we can say as Paul did that we have fought the good fight. Until tomorrow.
The part that resonates with me, is when Alma mentions the adversities Shiblon suffered at the hands of the Zoramites and the fact that he did not revile against them. But rather he bore it all with patience and gave Alma much joy. He mentions that the reason Shiblon could do that is because the Lord was with him.
This reminds me very much of the old poem, footprints in the sand. Where a man has a dream that he is walking along a beach with the Savior and is upset because at times there is only one set of footprints visible, and it was during the most rough parts of his life. When he asks the Savior why he left him just when he needed him most, the Savior replied that those were the times that He had carried the man.
I've had times like that, times where I was faced with something and I wasn't sure how I could get through it, or when I look back at it, I don't know how I did get through it. I had one of those moments just a week or so ago actually. I woke up in such pain as I have never felt before in my life and it went on, and on, and on. It was a very difficult day, and I truly believe the Lord was with me, helping me get through it.
It can be a challenging thing to rely on the Lord though, to relinquish that control over your life and leave it up to Him. The hardest time I had with it was when I wanted to get married so badly. I was looking everywhere, trying everything I could think of. And yet, I kept receiving blessings saying marriage was being withheld for a reason and I just needed to be patient, that it was so close. I'm sad to say that I didn't so much as relinquish control to Him as I did give up in bitterness. That was one challenge in my life, of my own making even, that I could have handled so much better. But I am human and fallible. I make mistakes with the best of them.
The really sad thing that occurs to me as I sit here and think about it, is how many of our trials are of our own making. Our sins and the effects of sin are completely of our making. Our shortcomings as people, most of them anyway, are of our own making. We are commanded to rely upon God and turn to him to help us with our weaknesses. Per Ether 12:26 we are given weaknesses for the express purpose of getting us to come to God.
The funny thing about trials though, is yes they do stretch us, but they are perfect for us and usually when we hear about other people's trials we begin to realize how good out life really is. I am one of those lucky people without many trials, it makes me worried that maybe I'm not living a righteous enough life and so Satan is not concentrating enough on me :p, my wife says it's not that I don't have trials, I'm just really adept at forgetting the harsh moments of my life. Since I can't remember, I can't tell if she's right or not. LOL. Nevertheless, I digress. Our trials are perfect for us and usually just what we can handle. Yes sometimes we see other people's "trials" and complain that why can't we have that trial, or want to shake our head in disgust that someone is having trouble with that.
And then there are those people that tell you about their life and you just blanch in horror and wonder how they ever got through it and thank the Lord that your life is so easy. But regardless of what our trials are, we need to rely upon the Lord and make Him our partner in all things. Then will we be able to accomplish all things and we can say as Paul did that we have fought the good fight. Until tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
The Words of Christ
Today I read Alma 37, the closing remarks to his son Helaman. Alma spends his time with his son giving instructions on what to do with the sacred writings and why we have them. He especially spends time talking to him about the record of the Jaredites and to keep the secret combination oaths away from the people.
The last half of the chapter is more about keeping the commandments of God and Alma ties in the Liahona and how just like Lehi and Nephi of old used it to find their way in the physical wilderness, so we too can use the scriptures to navigate through the spiritual wilderness we find ourselves in everyday.
Alma makes a statement in this chapter, he comments on how easy it is to keep the commandments of God. Many people would disagree with him and state just how difficult it is to live the commandment, but really, if you think about it, they really are easy. The problem is we get in the way and make it difficult on ourselves. I mean, honestly, who really wants to start smoking? But people do it because they want other people to like them. People start drinking because they are curious why so many people drink alcohol. And sex, well again it's the curiosity and the unwillingness to control ones own appetites.
That is how it all starts, and then once those vices have you in their clutches, it is extremely hard to get out of them. But really, if one just makes the decision to not indulge in those things, it is remarkably easy to stay away from them. However, I believe Alma is also referring to living the Gospel and using the scriptures to find truth and use them to enhance our lives.
Sadly, believe it or not, I find it a little difficult to apply the scriptures to my everyday life. Now, obviously I can relate them to me, hence the blog :), but in everyday settings, I don't consciously bring them to the forefront of my mind and how they can help me in my life. That is what I have always thought it would mean to liken the scriptures to my life. Now some might say I'm being silly because this blog is all about likening the scriptures to myself, in a way, but I feel I could be doing a much better job of it.
The thing that gives me comfort, is I feel that's how most people feel, including the prophets. Nephi wished he had better control over his emotions and could better live the commandments. I take comfort in that. One of my goals is to eventually have a biography of all the latter-day prophets. So far I have Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Howard W. Hunter and Gordon B. Hinkley. The one thing that stands out the most to me, especially with President Hunter and Hinkley, is that they were men, fallible, makes mistakes, men. I think most people idolize the prophets so much that we forget that, like us, they learn line upon line, precept upon precept. I mean, President Hunter got denied a temple recommend when he wanted to get married because he didn't pay a full tithe! I was glad that got included in his biography, it gives a regular joe like me hope.
Yes, giving heed to the word of God and living the commandments is easy. Very easy in fact. However, we let ourselves and our pride get in the way, as it does all too often with most things of the Spirit. Perhaps, like Nephi, I should actually be praying for more control over myself. One thing is for sure, I can be doing better, but then again, so could we all. Until tomorrow.
The last half of the chapter is more about keeping the commandments of God and Alma ties in the Liahona and how just like Lehi and Nephi of old used it to find their way in the physical wilderness, so we too can use the scriptures to navigate through the spiritual wilderness we find ourselves in everyday.
Alma makes a statement in this chapter, he comments on how easy it is to keep the commandments of God. Many people would disagree with him and state just how difficult it is to live the commandment, but really, if you think about it, they really are easy. The problem is we get in the way and make it difficult on ourselves. I mean, honestly, who really wants to start smoking? But people do it because they want other people to like them. People start drinking because they are curious why so many people drink alcohol. And sex, well again it's the curiosity and the unwillingness to control ones own appetites.
That is how it all starts, and then once those vices have you in their clutches, it is extremely hard to get out of them. But really, if one just makes the decision to not indulge in those things, it is remarkably easy to stay away from them. However, I believe Alma is also referring to living the Gospel and using the scriptures to find truth and use them to enhance our lives.
Sadly, believe it or not, I find it a little difficult to apply the scriptures to my everyday life. Now, obviously I can relate them to me, hence the blog :), but in everyday settings, I don't consciously bring them to the forefront of my mind and how they can help me in my life. That is what I have always thought it would mean to liken the scriptures to my life. Now some might say I'm being silly because this blog is all about likening the scriptures to myself, in a way, but I feel I could be doing a much better job of it.
The thing that gives me comfort, is I feel that's how most people feel, including the prophets. Nephi wished he had better control over his emotions and could better live the commandments. I take comfort in that. One of my goals is to eventually have a biography of all the latter-day prophets. So far I have Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Howard W. Hunter and Gordon B. Hinkley. The one thing that stands out the most to me, especially with President Hunter and Hinkley, is that they were men, fallible, makes mistakes, men. I think most people idolize the prophets so much that we forget that, like us, they learn line upon line, precept upon precept. I mean, President Hunter got denied a temple recommend when he wanted to get married because he didn't pay a full tithe! I was glad that got included in his biography, it gives a regular joe like me hope.
Yes, giving heed to the word of God and living the commandments is easy. Very easy in fact. However, we let ourselves and our pride get in the way, as it does all too often with most things of the Spirit. Perhaps, like Nephi, I should actually be praying for more control over myself. One thing is for sure, I can be doing better, but then again, so could we all. Until tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Retain in Remembrance
Today I read Alma 36, the first part of Alma's talk to his son, Helaman. A couple of things caught my attention this read through that I'm not sure I noticed last time. The first one is part of Alma's conversion story. I have read this chapter many, many times. And always before I had noticed that all it took for Alma to receive release from his torment was to cry out to Jesus Christ and then he was granted peace from his sins.
However, this read through I'm not so sure. I could be entirely wrong, but it sure seems to me that for 3 days Alma is paying the price for his personal sins. We read in the scriptures that those who choose not to take advantage of the Atonement must eventually pay the price for their own sins. Generally speaking, even those who do take advantage of the Atonement are racked with guilt and sorrow for the things they have done.
And yet as I write this, my mind is led to the book of Enos. I remember when one of my older brothers was taking the discussions from the missionaries. He had been inactive in the church most of his life and was coming back to church and he asked how do you deal with the guilt of a sinful life. I remember at that time I felt inspired to share with him Enos 1:5-6 where God forgives Enos of his sins and Enos says that his guilt was swept away.
Just as Alma records actually. So I can't help but wonder if the guilt and pain those of us who are truly remorseful feel are part of that process. If maybe it is just a small, small portion of what the Savior felt when he paid the price for all of our sins. I've often felt though that paying the price for your sins was to feel the pain that other person felt, be it physical or spiritual or emotional, the pain we inflicted on them. That would seem like justice to me. It would also explain why the Savior needed to feel every pain and sickness we would ever feel. But it's just a thought and I have no idea if it is true or not.
The second part that stood out to me, is the fact that Alma really emphasizes the fact that he retains in remembrance the great things the Lord has done for his people in freeing them from captivity, over and over again. I can't help but wonder why Alma thought this was important enough to mention to his son 3 times. One could argue that if we do not learn from our past we are doomed to repeat it, but I think there is more to it than that. It's not just Alma the Younger who asked his people to remember the great things the Lord has done in delivering them from bondage.
The answer that I keep coming up with, is it is an object lesson. One meant to teach that without God's help we are truly helpless and can do nothing. Each time the Nephites get into bondage with the Lamanites, it is only with the help of the Lord that they are able to escape. And each time, the prophets ask the people to remember this fact. Partly I think this is because humans are fallible. But there may be more to it than that. It may have to do with the way God rescued the people. I honestly don't know.
I just think it is interesting that the prophets remind us to remember how the Lord has already blessed our lives, especially in the case of those who were at one point in bondage to someone else. I do think that it is because humans are so fallible and so prone to forget and turn away from the Lord. But that is my own personal opinion. It has merit though if you think about it. How many people do you personally know who have served missions and yet today want nothing to do with the church? My guess is like me, it's far, far too many. So, as Alma said, retain in remembrance the great things the Lord has done for you. Until tomorrow.
However, this read through I'm not so sure. I could be entirely wrong, but it sure seems to me that for 3 days Alma is paying the price for his personal sins. We read in the scriptures that those who choose not to take advantage of the Atonement must eventually pay the price for their own sins. Generally speaking, even those who do take advantage of the Atonement are racked with guilt and sorrow for the things they have done.
And yet as I write this, my mind is led to the book of Enos. I remember when one of my older brothers was taking the discussions from the missionaries. He had been inactive in the church most of his life and was coming back to church and he asked how do you deal with the guilt of a sinful life. I remember at that time I felt inspired to share with him Enos 1:5-6 where God forgives Enos of his sins and Enos says that his guilt was swept away.
Just as Alma records actually. So I can't help but wonder if the guilt and pain those of us who are truly remorseful feel are part of that process. If maybe it is just a small, small portion of what the Savior felt when he paid the price for all of our sins. I've often felt though that paying the price for your sins was to feel the pain that other person felt, be it physical or spiritual or emotional, the pain we inflicted on them. That would seem like justice to me. It would also explain why the Savior needed to feel every pain and sickness we would ever feel. But it's just a thought and I have no idea if it is true or not.
The second part that stood out to me, is the fact that Alma really emphasizes the fact that he retains in remembrance the great things the Lord has done for his people in freeing them from captivity, over and over again. I can't help but wonder why Alma thought this was important enough to mention to his son 3 times. One could argue that if we do not learn from our past we are doomed to repeat it, but I think there is more to it than that. It's not just Alma the Younger who asked his people to remember the great things the Lord has done in delivering them from bondage.
The answer that I keep coming up with, is it is an object lesson. One meant to teach that without God's help we are truly helpless and can do nothing. Each time the Nephites get into bondage with the Lamanites, it is only with the help of the Lord that they are able to escape. And each time, the prophets ask the people to remember this fact. Partly I think this is because humans are fallible. But there may be more to it than that. It may have to do with the way God rescued the people. I honestly don't know.
I just think it is interesting that the prophets remind us to remember how the Lord has already blessed our lives, especially in the case of those who were at one point in bondage to someone else. I do think that it is because humans are so fallible and so prone to forget and turn away from the Lord. But that is my own personal opinion. It has merit though if you think about it. How many people do you personally know who have served missions and yet today want nothing to do with the church? My guess is like me, it's far, far too many. So, as Alma said, retain in remembrance the great things the Lord has done for you. Until tomorrow.
Monday, September 13, 2010
The Spirit of Love
Today I read Alma 35. This chapter is where the Zoramites kick out all those that believed in the words of Alma and his brethren. This is a theme in the Book of Mormon and sadly it still continues to this day. There are far, far too many instances in this day and age where someone joins the church and their family disowns them.
As the people of the Zoramites who believed left their homes and lives behind, they traveled over to the land where the people of Ammon, the former Lamanites lived. The people of Ammon took in the Zoramites and fed them, clothed them and even gave them land to live on. The most heart warming part of this story is that the people of Ammon asked for nothing in return. They were even threatened by the ruler of the Zoramites and did not care, they still took in the poor of the Zoramites.
This is the true Spirit of love, or the Spirit of Christ. This is exactly what King Benjamin was talking about in his famous speech, particularly in chapter 4. The true Spirit of Christ is to love thy neighbor as thyself. We have already talked about this concept and what it really means to love thy neighbor as thyself. As I read chapters like this I can't help but wonder what the world would be like if everyone in the world was filled with this Spirit of love.
I thik the answer is obvious. There would be no more war, no more hate, no more adultery, no more theft, etc. The world would truly be a paradise. We actually have a record of such a people in the first part of 4 Nephi. It says that there never were a happier people and I believe it.
When I was a teenager I used to get so frustrated with my parents because they would always drag me off to service project after service project. It wasn't until I was an older teenager, around 18-19 that I realized that I was never happier than when I was serving others. I realized that when I was serving people that the Spirit of Christ would fill me and I would be so happy that I couldn't help but smile all the time and let it shine forth. When you do what the Savior actually said, to lose your life, you truly do find it. And if everyone were filled with this Spirit, it would truly destroy priestcraft as it did with the Zoramites. Sadly, prophecy tells us that such a thing will not happen until the Savior comes again. We can dream though. :) Until tomorrow.
As the people of the Zoramites who believed left their homes and lives behind, they traveled over to the land where the people of Ammon, the former Lamanites lived. The people of Ammon took in the Zoramites and fed them, clothed them and even gave them land to live on. The most heart warming part of this story is that the people of Ammon asked for nothing in return. They were even threatened by the ruler of the Zoramites and did not care, they still took in the poor of the Zoramites.
This is the true Spirit of love, or the Spirit of Christ. This is exactly what King Benjamin was talking about in his famous speech, particularly in chapter 4. The true Spirit of Christ is to love thy neighbor as thyself. We have already talked about this concept and what it really means to love thy neighbor as thyself. As I read chapters like this I can't help but wonder what the world would be like if everyone in the world was filled with this Spirit of love.
I thik the answer is obvious. There would be no more war, no more hate, no more adultery, no more theft, etc. The world would truly be a paradise. We actually have a record of such a people in the first part of 4 Nephi. It says that there never were a happier people and I believe it.
When I was a teenager I used to get so frustrated with my parents because they would always drag me off to service project after service project. It wasn't until I was an older teenager, around 18-19 that I realized that I was never happier than when I was serving others. I realized that when I was serving people that the Spirit of Christ would fill me and I would be so happy that I couldn't help but smile all the time and let it shine forth. When you do what the Savior actually said, to lose your life, you truly do find it. And if everyone were filled with this Spirit, it would truly destroy priestcraft as it did with the Zoramites. Sadly, prophecy tells us that such a thing will not happen until the Savior comes again. We can dream though. :) Until tomorrow.
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