Be ready to listen

Alma 18

Ammon returns from caring for the king's horses and preparing them as he had been asked. The king is totally in awe of what his servants had told him about Ammom saving his flocks and cutting off the arms of the Lamanites who were causing troubles. Ammon realizes this is his opportunity to teach the king because he is ready to listen.

What is it that makes a person ready to listen? In my case, it was a miserable existence and I wanted to be happy again. In Lamoni's case, he wasn't all that miserable. I suspect he had a good life. In his case I think it was fear of what was about to happen to him. He knew in his heart that killing his servants wasn't right, even though the tradition passed down from his father was that whatever he did was right (v5).

I've always been fascinated at this chapter/story. Once Lamoni is ready to listen, what is it that Alma tells him? Basically, it is what we learn in the temple, i.e. the creation, Fall and Atonement or rather the Plan of Redemption that was laid from before the foundation of the world (v39).

This chapter tells me that this information is critically important to each of us – even a king who does not have the gospel. This is information I was raised with, and it wasn't all that new when I heard it in the temple setting. But as I've gotten older, I've realized there is something the Lord wants us to know about it that is deeper than the actual story itself. And this is why we return to the temple over and over – to perhaps gain an understanding of what it is the Lord wants us to know. As I attended a teaching moment with the YSA Stake a few weeks ago, we were told we are to learn about the teacher, and his patterns.

So as I read this chapter, it reminded me of this. This earth life is the Lord's university for learning about his kingdom. He is the teacher, and we need to know His ways. The test will be at judgment day when we stand before our maker and give an accounting of our lives. Did we learn enough about Him to desire to be like Him? Did that desire work in us enough that we are like Him? That is the real question. Are we becoming more like our Savior every day? If that is the direction we are moving, then I believe we'll be able to answer yes.

My action item for this day? Keep moving forward. Be like Lamoni and say, “. . .I will believe all thy words.” And let that belief be unto doing. Where are those words? Conference talks, scriptures, and Temple. Is it the words alone? No! I must be ready to listen by asking the Lord to increase my understanding.

Lord, make me an Instrument in Thy Hands

Alma 17

The sons of Mosiah go on missions to declare the word to the Lamanites. The first story is about Ammon in the land of Ishmael. He is taken captive by the king. The king is pleased with him and he becomes his servant. Ammom and several of the king's servants go out to water the king's flocks and the Lamanites scatter their herd. The servants fear the king will kill them as he has other servants who have had similar experiences. Ammom sees this as his opportunity to show forth the power of the Lord and saves the king's flocks.

This is an amazing story of how a missionary can influence. As amazing as it is, however, it's not what grabbed me as I was reading this morning. I only had time for the first few verses and finished the chapter this afternoon. But it hit me with force enough to cause me to think about it several times during the day.

I will admit I feel overwhelmed at times as to how I'm going to convince the women in our stake of their responsibility as covenant members of the Lord to care for each other. It seems to be the one area they are struggling in. This is what I thought of as I read Verse 9. I have such a strong desire to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. In order to do so, I must fast and pray much. I'm good on the praying. Maybe fasting more is where I could pump it up. Or maybe focusing my fast more on helping these women. But this is what jumped out this morning – maybe a little more this morning than this afternoon when I reread it. “. . . to bring their brethren . . . to the knowledge of the truth. . . . of the baseness of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct.”

Here is what I was thinking. Our young women are somewhat turned off at the thought of visiting teaching because that is what they've heard their mothers and grandmothers were doing all of their youth. The generation before these young women was less about ministering and more of “getting their visiting teaching done”, aka “we visited”. Today, the General Board is asking that we return to the pattern of ministering as it was designed by the Lord when the Relief Society was organized by Joseph Smith. It is in ministering that we will be made instruments in the Lord's hands. It is then that we will be aware of those whom we have stewardship over and will desire so much to be an instrument in the Lord's hands that we will find ourselves lifting each others' burdens in whatever way we are inspired by the Spirit.

Sunday School Answers to all our Problems

Alma 16

There is peace in the land of Zarahemla for a time and then those pesky Lamanites had to come down on them again. The people of Zarahemla were caught off guard a little and were unprepared for battle. First the Lamanites totally destroyed all the inhabitants of Ammonihah – not one was left standing alive. The Nephites wanted to recover those who had been taken prisoner and carried away into the wilderness. Zoram and his sons, Lehi and Aha were the appointed ones. I'm so impressed at their valor. Where did they go for guidance? To a prophet of the Lord. They knew Alma could inquire of the Lord and find where they should go to find their people. What a beautiful thing! What kind of success did this humility produce? Not one of their people was lost. They were taken immediately to the place where they were and they were able to recover every one of them and they returned to their homes. Is there not an amazing lesson taught in this chapter? Oh how blessed we would be if the leaders of the nation would go to President Monson in humility and ask him to inquire of the Lord the solution to the nation's ills. Wouldn't that be something?

I do have one other thought. As the Lord's people, although it would be nice to go to the prophet of the Lord and get a quick answer, we are entitled to approach the Lord on our own for answers to questions we have. I'm impressed at the push the Relief Society General Board is making for the sisters of the church to become comfortable with this amazing tool – personal revelation. How blessed we are to know we can receive revelation on our own if we will follow the pattern of revelation, i.e. fasting and prayer, scripture study, temple attendance. Sunday school answers to all our problems! What a deal.

The Lord has a Plan

Alma 14 & 15

I couldn't stop at 14. These two chapters really tell a more complete story. Alma and Amulek are in the city of Ammonihah, imprisoned because of the truths they speak. The people persecute them and keep them bound, thirsty and hungry. The people come into prison and taunt them, spitting upon them and slapping their faces.

What would this look like in today's world? For one, I cannot conceive of such inhumanity to man. It seems like the entire city was in on it. Really? Would there not be indifferent people? In today's world, I would think we'd see more indifference. Just how big was this City of Ammonihah anyway? This is a problem I have in reading the entire Book of Mormon. It seems like the cities would be a lot smaller than anything we call a city today.

Now here is why I can't stop at Chapter 14. What happened to Zeezrom? Zeezrom teaches us one of the more important lessons we can learn in the Book of Mormon about the health of the human body. The body was not meant to carry burdens – i.e. when we lie, our spirit knows it. What happens when we lie? We feel guilt! What does guilt do? With Zeezrom, he was physically ill with a burning fever! Does this give us any clue as to how sensitive the spirit of man really is? I believe it does. The book “The Body Cannot Lie” is a great read on this topic. So this one isn't a hard thing for me to believe at all.

So what about Zeezrom? Alma asks him questions. Here is another evidence that we teach by asking questions.  Does Zeezrom believe in the power of the Savior to heal him. Zeezrom does not hesitate to say he believes all the words of Alma. Then Alma heals him according to his faith. Is this a key? Why are we not healed sometimes when we ask for a blessing. Could it be that we do not have enough faith in the Savior to heal us? Sometimes, maybe. But we must accept the fact that sometimes the Lord has a greater plan for us. For Zeezrom, it was to clean up the mess he had made, i.e. “he began from that time forth to preach unto the people”. I would suggest that is one way we can know if a person truly has repented. When they go forth and use their resources to save others, you can be pretty sure they have embraced the teachings of the gospel.

How does this apply to me today? Maybe not to me personally right now, but I look forward to a day when those I love will make a miraculous change such as Zeezrom. I can only imagine what a beautiful thing that will be because I believe we are all meant for greatness, and that the Lord has great things in store for those who love him. This has been my own experience and I fully expect it for anyone who embraces the gospel and passes it forward.

Always room for improvement.

Alma 13

Alma is teaching the people about the Priesthood and its blessings. I'm in the dark and without my actual scripures, so this will be a little brief.

I found it interesting that those who repent, and hold the Melchizedek priesthood will be on the same level as the Lord. Did I understand that correctly? They are part of the holy order of the son of God. They are sanctified by the Holy Ghost, are made pure and look upon sin with abhorrence. It is available to anyone willing to accept it, or Alma wouldn't be inviting his audience to repent so they could have it.

I'm with my scriptures now and there is so much I could focus on. This chapter is packed with doctrine.  But I draw attention to the last few verses – those that apply to all of us at any time in our lives. Interesting to me that Alma is pleading with the people “. . . with great anxiety even unto pain. . .” His love for these people is pretty intense and is a gift from God. He tells the people in v28 to be humble, watch and pray continually that they won't be tempted above that which they can bear so they can be lead by the Holy Ghost which will allow them to be humble (teachable), meek, submissive, patient (yielding), full of love and long-suffering. A long list of gifts to seek after.

What can I learn at this stage in my life from just these verses? I have a long ways to go. Is my anxiety for others “even unto pain”? I could improve. I love those whom I serve and I worry about them. Their loads are heavy as they attend to post graduate and college efforts. I pray for them in their efforts. They are the future of this church, which is why the Lord is putting so much effort into them. I pray to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to help them. There is always room for improvement.   

The Rest of my Forever

Alma 12

After Amulek finishes speaking, Alma takes the stand and tells them about the Plan of Salvation. He tells of the Fall of man (Adam and Eve), that this life is a probationary period, and that those who harden their hearts to the word of God will be judged as if the Savior did not make a redemption for mankind.

These are some pretty serious things Alma told the people – so much so that Zeezrom becomes shaken because of his own guilt. Alma told Zeezrom that we cannot lie to God – not in this life, and definitely not in the next. In V14 he says our words will condemn us and our works will condemn us. Not only this, he goes on to say our thoughts will condemn us also. We can pretend to be something we are not in this earth life, but the pretense is over at judgment day. It will be so awful that we would want to have the mountains fall on us that we might not be. This too cannot happen. This is called a spiritual death – he will die pertaining to things of righteousness (v16). Words Alma uses that are visual: torments shall be as a lake of fire and brimstone, flame, chains. And the person in this state will be as though the Savior did not come. And this is forever! We're done. We can't die at this point (v18).

V35 gives me some thought. And whosoever will harden his heart and will do iniquity, behold, I swear in my wrath that he shall not enter into my rest. 

What does it mean to harden ones heart? A person with a hard heart will not hear the words of truth. They have cast out all things as pertaining to righteousness and seek to do iniquity. What exactly is iniquity? A reference to this word takes us to Moses 5:15 where it says “believe in God”. Anything that does not lead us closer to the Lord would be my guess. And this is the word that grabbed my attention: “rest”. What does it mean to rest? Ask an insomniac. - someone who for months and years on end is not able to get the restorative sleep they need. This is a miserable state, as I think we can all relate to short periods in our lives when we've felt we were insomniacs. It passes for most of us. How would it be to live with this throughout eternity? Well, D&C 84:24 puts a little different light on the word “rest”. It means more not being able to enter into his (God's) rest and having a fulness of his glory, aka inheriting the kingdom of God. Some might say they are okay with not living with the Lord forever. Some might say that family is over rated. To those of us who have experienced receiving a smaller portion when we could have had it all, it is not a restful state. There is angst. I can't imagine how troubling it would be to know this was the rest of my forever.

Salvation vs Inheritance of Kingdom of God

Alma 11

Amulek is grilled by Zeezrom. He tells Zeezrom the rules of salvation as laid out by an angel of the Lord to Amulek. Zeezrom tempts Amulek with a goodly amount of wealth to deny the things he knows. Amulek is a good man.

The beginning of this chapter lays out the coinage of the Nephites. I always wonder why so much space was given to this information. The only answer I come up with is so that we can know that when Zeezrom offers Amulek six onti's, we know it is a lot of money. I love the strength Amulek showed. He called Zeezrom a child of hell (v23) for tempting him and told him he knew he had no intention of following through with the offer. Ultimately, by the end of the contention, Zeezrom was trembling.

Amulek told Zeezrom that the Savior would not save people in their sins. It is through logic and the spirit that he came to this conclusion. Since no unclean thing can enter the kingdom of heaven, it only stands to reason that the Savior will not be saving those who are unclean, aka unrepentant of their sins.

This reminds me a lot of the discussions I would have with my ex and his family about the doctrine of salvation. They maintained that all would be saved by the grace of God, or rather the atonement of the Savior. This is true. No act is required for this privilege. All mankind will be resurrected, or rather saved from the chains of death. We will all be resurrected and those of the world will not be disappointed at that day. The misunderstanding is in the difference of being saved and inheriting the kingdom of God which means living in the presence of God the Father and the Savior, which is where we want to return. It's where I want to be when all is said and done. This is where we will be allowed to continue progressing. This is where we will be with our families. Anything less than that will be the end to progress as I understand it.

So how does this knowledge affect me? It makes me want to do everything in my power to be worthy of inheriting the kingdom of heaven. How do I do that? Repent when I make mistakes, as I do and will continue doing. Each day I fall short of the expectations of this blessing. So how is this going to be possible? By reaching out to my Savior and asking for his forgiveness and mercy. He will plead my cause some day. I can almost hear him say “She tried hard, Father. She fell short, but I will pay for her shortcomings.” This is the only way I'll make it. It is true I try hard. As I look at the list of the requirements to be called charitable as called out in Moroni 7:45, I know I still have lots of work to become worthy. The biggest one is enduring to the end. It is a list I look at to measure my progress.  

And as I go to post this, I notice more than just my brother is looking at my posts.  I would love to know who you are?  Am I making a difference?  Do I make sense?  Or do you see my posts as rambling?  I will say this much, however.  Making these posts makes it easier for me to pull it up during the day when I need to elevate my thoughts.

Seek Ye after the best gifts

Alma 10

Amulek's turn to speak to the people now. He is pretty blunt with the people – probably because he has been where they are and he knows. When we really know of evil because we've seen it face-to-face and been part of it; it is easier to recognize once we repent, and say “This is evil!”

Amulek knows the lawyers and judges are corrupt. He says as much in v32. Their object was to get gain and that came only if they were employed. We have a similar system in the world today. I feel like the same thing is going on with the people we have elected to represent us in government. They get paid if they are busy and they have entangled the laws of the land to the point they are spinning their wheels and accomplishing nothing. Oh, but they are busy. What a joke!

I really like that Amulek has been given a gift – the gift of discernment. He sees right through these people and knows what their intent is. The people are astonished that he saw through them. Where does this gift come from? D&C 46 answers that question. We are to be prayerful and thankful in all things (D&C 46:7). I love that in v8 Joseph Smith is to to “seek ye earnestly the best gifts”. We can decide what gift we want and seek to have it. Of course, we must read the scriptures and words of the prophets to learn what is needed for that gift and then act accordingly. A key to acquiring any gift is the purpose in which one plans to use it. Verse 9 says they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments. . . that all may be benefited. And then in v12 “. . .that all may be profited thereby.” It is for the benefit of the Lord's people. Do I use my gifts to benefit the people? Do I know what those gifts are?

When we are given a gift, we need to remember why we have that gift and how it is to be used. Gifts are not for our own aggrandizement. They are for the benefit of the kingdom of God. Perhaps praying that we might be an instrument in the hands of God would be a key to acquiring the gifts of which we seek.

Pure logic to me

Alma 9

Alma and Amulek begin their mission among the Nephites, the people of Ammonihah. Alma is very direct and tells the people of their gross errors and that they can expect to reap a reward of their works (v28) whether for good or for bad.

This is not news to them. They've been taught this before. We have been taught this as well all our lives. If our works are good and righteous, we will be blessed. If we are evil, our souls will belong to the devil. The work used in v28 is “captivation” of the devil.

Who are the people of Ammonihah? They had the gospel in their lives once. In fact, Alma says they had once been highly favored people of the Lord (v20). At one time they knew ALL things past, present and future. Today, who would that be? People who have received their endowment in the temple. What Alma is saying is they know the Plan of Salvation, yet they have chosen to go against it. At one time they had been visitied by the Spirit of God and heard his voice. They had many gifts of the spirit. Yet they turned against this knowledge and these gifts.

This chapter shows me a consistency in those who have turned away from the light. They don't like to be told they have done exactly what they have done. Why is that? When they knowingly have chosen evil over good, why are they angered when told that's what they've done? It is the same today. This behavior can be rolled into one word: apostasy. Yet, if you call someone an apostate, they are angry. The Webster dictionary calls an apostate “renunciation of a religious faith” and “abandonment of a previous loyalty”. What is the word “renunciation”? “To give up, refuse, or resign usually by formal declaration”. So why the offense if you fit in this category. The people of Ammonihah were furious enough to kill Alma.

I don't know where I'm going with this. But this I do know and the spirit testifies to me it is truth. Not only the Spirit, but experience. When we keep the commandments, we are blessed as to things pertaining to righteousness. When we turn our lives away from truth and righteousness and follow the desires of the natural man, we are without the Lord; we go it alone. The Lord is not there to protect us from the effects of our poor choices. We can change, and he is quick to come to our aid when we do. It isn't easy, but it is doable.

Where are the Angels?

Alma 8

Alma goes into the city of Ammonihah only to be rejected by the people. He leaves but is sent back by an angel of the Lord. He meets Amulek who nourishes him after days of fasting. Alma is a blessing to Amulek's household, and they go out to preach to the people of Ammonihah.

I don't have anything real profound, but the thought came to mind as I was reading: If Alma was visited by an angel – the same angel who called him to repentance earlier in the Book of Mormon, could we assume all of us have an angel assigned to us? Maybe assume isn't the right word. Would it be reasonable to wonder though? Certainly Alma was called to greater things than being a trouble maker with his friends in his earlier days. Aren't all of us above such behavior? Sometimes we lose the vision and get off track. Where are the angels?

Well, this thought brings on the importance of Agency in the Lord's plan. We do have our agency to make whatever choices we want. With that agency, we have the power to ruin our shot here at earth life as well as destroy our chances for Eternal Life – living with our Heavenly Father and Savior throughout the eternities. That thought doesn't eliminate my original thought of “Where are the angels?” For me, my angels were earthly angels in the form of visiting teachers, home teachers and a very good bishop – actually a few bishops. Did I feel influence beyond the veil? Initially, I really did, thought I didn't see them. Something caused me to cry “uncle”, and fall down and pray for a better life. Was it the Spirit I had been blessed with at the age of eight when I was baptized? That's not unreasonable to me as I have certainly felt his influence throughout my life since in many different ways.

I could entertain thoughts like this all day. My conclusion, however, is that we are being cared for on both sides of the veil – all of us, whether we are making righteous choices or not. For some reason, Alma was foreordained for certain things that he was not on track to do, and the Lord allowed an angel to visit him. We would do well as servants of our Heavenly Father and as parents of wayward children, to pray for the angels to be able to accomplish their missions of influence on those who have strayed from their foreordained greatness.   

Peace - Something that can be worked for

Alma 6

A short chapter,but some real food for thought. Those who were not members of the church and repented, were baptized. Those who were members but disbelievers and did not repent were removed from the records of the church. This was done through the priests and elders of the church.

Do we do this today? Well, certainly we preach the gospel to those who are not members. Is the effort to remove peoples' names from the records of the church as common? Not to my knowing. There are a lot of people who disbelieve.

The next verse is very interesting. The youth of the church had an assignment. Maybe I am misinterpreting this. It says the children of God, and that could be anyone of any age. But for some reason I saw youth. Their assignment was to gather together oft fast and pray for the nonbeliever and the welfare of their souls. (v6) I know the brethren have counseled us to include that in our fasting each time. I need to make a concerted effort to do so. It's a bit of hit and miss for me.

In chapter 7 Alma is speaking to the people of Gideon. He finds them in a better state than the people of Zarahemla and is able to preach pure gospel principles to them. He counsels them to be humble, submissive, gentle, easy to be entreated; full of patience and long suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive (v23).

In turn they are promised peace of God . .. upon your houses, lands, flocks, herds, and all that they possess. Is this just not so beautiful? Who wouldn't want that kind of peace? To have assurance that all will be well. It is something worth working for. I've seen people without peace in their lives. It is not a pretty thing and definitely something to avoid.

Two Choices

Alma 5 – Last half

I think if I had one shot at influencing someone to see a reason to read the Book of Mormon, this chapter would be a good shot. Alma is teaching the people about the choices they make. He teaches that there are only two choices: 1) Follow the shepherd by doing good, or 2) hearken to the voice of Satan. One brings joy and happiness; the other death.

Some of the words of the first choice are: Partake of fruit of the tree of life (v34), freely (v34),

Some of the words of the second choice: pride (v28), envy (v29), mocks and persecutes (v30), puffed up in the vain things of the world (v37)

How does Alma know these things? How can I know them or anyone? V46 says he fasted and prayed many days. Somehow, I've always thought he fasted nonstop many days. As I go down the road of life, I think I realize he's saying he fasted maybe like we fast – at least monthly, but consistently praying as he fasted that he might come to the knowledge of the truth. Certainly that is how it is for most of us. At least that has been my own experience.

This morning I am convinced that we must never give up on anyone. Anyone can experience this mighty change. Certainly the first step would be to start reading from the Book of Mormon and allow oneself to feel the passion Alma feels as he bears testimony of truth. He says in v48 “I know that Jesus Christ shall come.” This knowledge is there for all of us. It begins with a desire. Alma talks about this desire in Chapter 32, but we must nourish that desire to know. When we stop, it disappears quickly.

So how has this increased my faith today? It gives me hope for those who have not tasted of the fruit of the tree of life yet. I know it can still happen. It helps me to know that I must not ever stop trying or give up on anyone. We are all children of our Heavenly Father and if we listen to the voice of the good shepherd, he will bring us into his fold (v50), we will be protected.

Sing the Song of Redeeming Love

Alma 5 (first half)

I purposely read just the first half of this chapter as I have so much on my mind and it was just a continuation of the amazing experience I had last night. I want to document it.

Alma is teaching the people about bondage, about the judgment, about standing before God some day to be judged. This is something we will all do some day.

Last night I attended a Regional training for the leaders in the YSA stakes. I was shown some amazing tools in teaching that Alma is using in this chapter. Of course, the hard part is always putting it into practice. I have a tendency to want to give the answers. I need to learn to ask questions. Alma asks question after question. Sometimes he gives the answer.

As I'm reading this chapter, I can't help but think of the message on my voice mail last night from my daughter. She wanted to know if I had called her bishop, RS president, Primary president and everyone else in her ward. Apparently, my prayers are being answered. When she first was sent home from the social singles ward and required to attend the singles ward in her area, I called the bishop to let her know she was there. It did no good at that time. However, last month when I learned the value of praying specifically for what I wanted to happen, I started praying that she would be assigned visiting teachers who would understand her and reach out to her. Could this be the beginning of this prayer being answered? Will they have the courage to hang in there through her rejections? Will she have the courage to reach out to them and let them help her? Will I have the ability to ask questions when she confronts me and will I listen to the spirit that my questions will be what she needs to ponder?

I have pasted a quote from M. Russell Nelson in this chapter: “Simply stated, testimony – real testimony, born of the Spirit and confirmed by the Holy Ghost – changes lives. It changes how you think and what you do. It changes what you say.  It affects every priority you set and every choice you make. To have a real and abiding testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ is to be 'spiritually born of God' to [receive] his image in your countenances and to experience a 'mighty change in your hearts'. (Alma 5:14).

Did I experience this in my own life? Absolutely! I was in bondage to habits I had acquired over nine years that affected everything I did. Once I started reading the scriptures and accepting counsel from teachers and leaders in the church, the chains of darkness began to fall and I began to change. My priorities changed, my outlook on life (and death) changed. My heart was changed and I “felt to sing the song of redeeming love”. (v26) I still feel so now. And this is what I want for my daughter. I know it can happen. But I also know it is going to be work for her. I know she will have the help if she will just ask for it. She has fallen further and harder because she was already a covenant daughter. This will make the change even greater and she will see the difference in a much more powerful way. In many ways, I'm quite excited for what her future holds – if she will just allow this change to take effect.

So how does this impact my day? It makes me want to learn to ask questions when teaching. It makes me want to remember to sing the song of redeeming love. And this reminds me that it was these feelings that created the many pieces of music I have written the last 33 years. That is how long I have been singing this song. The Lord redeemed me from a dark abyss. I have total faith it can be that way for anyone who will reach out and be rescued. There are those waiting in the wings to assist. Of this I have firm faith.

Fine Line

Alma 4

This is the chapter where pride has crept into the people of the church and begins to cause some problems with the church and with the influence their actions are having on non-believers.

This is a serious warning to the people of the church today. Life has been good for us in the last hundred years. To me, it is obvious to see we have been blessed for our faithfulness to the Lord's commands and in serving each other. However, I too can see that vanity is a problem. There is a fine line between dressing appropriately and wearing costly apparel (v6). I've watched the sisters who speak in General Conference. None of them wear cheap clothing. They wear very nice (and expensive) suits, but not necessarily stylish in my eyes. Where does one draw the line? I don't know that I have the answer for that one.

During the time when the people lived in “a manner of happines” 2 Nephi 5, Nephi had caused his people to be industrious and labor with their hands. Maybe that is the difference. Maybe we are supposed to be sewing our own clothing Ugh!

In Helaman 5 we're told “. . .their women did toil and spin, and did make all manner of cloth, of fine-twined linen and cloth . . . .(14). . .[and they] did also have great joy and peace. . .” I'm sure there is some clue to the question here. But if we are busy toiling in the vineyard – God's commandment to help others, would it not be okay to buy clothing that is nice. I certainly hope this is acceptable in the Lord's eyes because I don't see it changing. At least not for me. I sewed when I raised my children.  Then the thought “endure to the end” comes to mind. I hope this doesn't fit in that category.

So, what did I learn today as I read? How can I apply what I learned to me? Well, as I seek to find the perfect outfit, I need to remember the warning and the thin line between “dressing comely” and “being prideful”.

Clear as a bell

Alma 3

This chapter has always fascinated me. The Amlicites mark themselves so the people of Nephi would not be mixed with their seed.

We are experiencing this today more than I can ever remember it. This infuriates one of my kids when I say this, but when I see a young man or woman covered in tattoos and piercings, I feel I know a little about them. I don't know who they are, but I know who they are not. I don't think this is a false statement. Does that mean we can't change and that we can't repent and be forgiven? Of course not! But I still have a glimpse into a portion of their lives where they were not followers of Christ.

V26 & 27 make it quite clear. We have choices to make in this life. We can choose the rewards we want in the next. We can choose eternal happiness or eternal misery. It is all up to us and who we choose to obey. V27 “For every man receiveth wages of him whom he listeth to obey, and this according to the words of the spirit of prophecy. . .” Where do we want our paycheck to come from? Our Heavenly Father who only gives good gifts? Or do we want it to come from Satan from whom no good gift cometh? It seems clear as a bell to me.

So what do I gain from reading this morning? Well, certainly I must try to stay away from the markings and trappings of the world. Tattoos and piercings are easy. What about the way I dress? Am I reflecting the image of one of Heavenly Father's daughters? Or do I make it a little hard to tell?    

Lord, make me an instrument

Alma 2

There is a legal process going on and Amlici loses.  He is not a good loser, either.

I'm so intrigued by this chapter. It seems to be a mini version of what is going on in the US today – although we haven't come to the point where we are defending our freedoms by the sword so to speak. The first six verses describe caucuses in a way. Although the people of Amlici are being a little more extreme than anything I've seen at a caucus. I'm intrigued with the phrase “wonderful contentions one with another”. Can contention and wonderful be used in the same sentence? It seems like an oxy moron.

When Amlici fails to win the election, he decides he doesn't need to be voted by the people. He declared himself king. Oh the arrogance! Evil seems to know no bounds.

As I read verses 7-13, I couldn't help but reflect on the quiet actions I see going on around me of people buying weapons and ammunition. Will we need to defend ourselves with weapons? Oh how I pray that won't happen; that the process will not turn to war within this great nation. Yet we have been told it is going to get bad. But war?

One last thing. There is a wonderful example of a good leader and bad leader and their technique in how they lead. Alma in v16 is at the head of his army leading out. In v32, Amalici hides behind his army and sent his guards to contend with Alma. A true leader – one whose cause is just, will defend it.

So what did I come away learning – or relearning in this read? In v30, I'm reminded that I must pray to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. Whatever he needs me to do, that's what I want to be doing.   

Keep the peace!

Alma 1

There is peace in the land but there is always one who wants to mess it up. Such is the case with Nehor. He thinks preachers should be paid and a host of other ideas not consistent with the teachings of the church. He proceeds to enforce his beliefs with the sword and kills Gideon, a man who had held strong to the gospel and did much good in the land. Nehor kills Gideon because he is too old to defend himself by the sword.

Nehor is brought before Alma to be judged, and died a shameful death.

I see such parallel between this chapter and the affairs of the world today. There are so many who have skewed beliefs of how the country should be run. They are takers and feel entitlement in their lives. They feel they have been cheated by the “system”, that corporate America is evil. The Lord has laid out the laws of the land and anyone can achieve if they will work to do so. We are in a country where creativity equals profit. There are so many people who have put their passions to work for them. The problem with those who are not is their passion is me, me, me. What is in it for me? They do not look out for others; only themselves. They are suspicious of every action of others and believe there is a motive behind kindness. They hate the rich because somehow in their skewed and very small minds they believe the rich have stolen from them. What have they stolen? It just boggles my mind. They band together in useless efforts in community gatherings and say they are united. United in what? They don't even know. Their effort to pull down the rest of us to their level? It seems absurd to me.

This chapter and an email I received from my daughter this morning really combined to agitate me just a little. We are all free to make the choices that will bring happiness into our lives. Maybe not prosperity, but happiness. The happiness comes from doing the Lord's will. He will take care of us. But it is critical that we show our love for Him through serving and sacrificing for the good of others.

So how does this apply to me? I mustn't get caught up in the warfare. But peacefully proclaim the truth whenever the opportunity presents itself. I suspect it just might do that today at dinner. Oh joy!

Prepare

Mosiah 29

Mosiah lays out the new order of law – without kings, but with judges. He is a righteous king but tells the people an iniquitous king can bring a people into bondage. This is proven over and over again in the Book of Mormon and we see it in current events in the world today.

Several times Mosiah said “let us be wise”. Wouldn't it be nice if the world could operate under this advice. I feel like the United States is in such peril as we have so many in higher office whose interests are not in the freedom of the people but rather in their own greatness as seen by the world.

Mosiah talks about the voice of the people. He establishes a voting system because generally the majority of people will choose right. It seems in our nation today that the ratio of good people vs. not-so-good people is beginning to tilt in the not-so-good direction. We hold our breaths as we consider the results of another four years with Obama at the nation's helm. I don't know that we could survive such a thing, and yet Clyde tells me there are a great deal of people who are benefiting from his generosities. Why can't they see clear enough to look down the road a few years? Mosiah warns us in v27: “And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.” We have been warned. I've never felt such urgency in electing valiant men and women into office like I currently feel.

So, what does this tell me I need to be doing? I need to better prepare for harder times. Not just temporal preparations either. I need to be sure my testimony is strong enough to see me through the hard times. We have been assured hard times are coming. Is this it? Who knows? All I know is I need to prepare.

Never give up!

Mosiah 28

The sons of Mosiah go out to preach the gospel to the Lamanites. Mosiah translates the Jaradite records and confers the affairs of the kingdom upon Alma the younger.

I stopped to ponder v4. “. . .for they were the very vilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities, suffering much and fearing that they should be cast off forever.”

This verse has always troubled me just a little bit. Could not everyone have this experience? They were visited and scolded by an angel from the Lord. They had an amazing conversion. They immediately turned their lives around and wanted to spare others the anguish they had suffered. Why them? Why not others?

I suspect they were young men of privilege. They had been raised with the gospel, therefore there was probably some comforts in their homes as the Lord blesses those who love them. They turned against the teachings of their parents and caused mayhem in the land. Why were they singled out for this miraculous experience? The only conclusion I can come up with is that the Lord knew their potential because they were his children. But aren't we all his children? The very fact we are on this earth says we made righteous choices before we came to this earth.

How can our own wayward children experience a rebirth – a change of heart? The only answer I can come up with is it will be through the prayers and diligent efforts of their parents, family and friends to rescue them. When they choose to turn their lives around, there will definitely be anguish. I think this anguish is brought upon by the disgust of what it is they have done to their lives. They could have been enjoying the blessings of the gospel and chose instead to live lives filled with evil and worldly behavior.

So how do I apply this to me today? Never give up on the love I have for a child who has strayed. All of God's children are worthy of rescue. The Savior has already paid the price for their sins (and mine), and we must all humble ourselves and give place for the Spirit to work in our lives. When this happens, we will experience the same joy and desire to serve that the Sons of Mosiah had. We will become instruments in the Lords hands in rescuing others. That said, we will be on our way to worthiness to enjoy all the blessings of the gospel and eternal life. There is no doubt in my mind that this is available to all of God's children – even mine.

That's the catch!

Mosiah 27

Alma and the sons of Mosiah are creating mayhem for the church through their persecutions of the believers. An angel of the Lord comes to them, shakes the earth and basically gives them a good scolding from the Lord. This would be enough to cause anyone to do some serious change. And so it was with Alma and the sons of Mosiah

This is one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon. One can read this chapter from two different angles – 1) As a parent and the power of prayer can have on a wayward child, or 2) As one living in a dark abyss (v29) as was Alma the younger, whose soul was racked with eternal torment and was snatched from this miserable state and “born again”.

Alma prayed for his son, Alma that he might be brought to the knowledge of the truth. That prayer resulted in a miraculous visit from an angel of the Lord who visited Alma the younger and his partners in crime. This gives courage to the parents of wayward children. Why was Alma the younger privileged to have such a miraculous outcome to his parents' prayers? I've asked myself that question over and over. Is it because his father was a prophet? Maybe, but not necessarily. Other prophets have had wayward children who did not come around. Just everyday parents have sent similar pleadings to Heavenly Father and have had miraculous results – my parents included. I feel like my own conversion was miraculous. I didn't see an heavenly angel. I saw many earthly angels ready to assist the Lord in rescuing me, however. Maybe Alma's experience warranted an angel from the Lord because of prior commitments he had made before coming to this earth. Of course, we can't really know that one. But I do believe we all made covenants to do certain things before we were born.

How can this apply to me today? Of course, we pray for our children. I like Alma's prayer in v14. He prayed with much faith . . .that he might be brought to the knowledge of the truth. We pray that our daughter's heart will be softened and she will have the courage to reach out for the help she needs. I will incorporate “. . .to be brought to the knowledge of truth.” I like that phrase and will start using it. I have a powerful belief that Heavenly Father listens to the prayers of parents. All I said when I had had enough was “Heavenly Father, I'm ready to do what it takes to answer my parents' prayers.” That was the most powerful prayer I've ever given. It was the first prayer in probably nine years, but it was most effective. I never miss an opportunity to tell others of this experience. I, like Alma the younger, was taken from the darkest abyss and my soul is pained no more. However, we must remember that Agency is so important to the Lord that he was willing to lose a third of his children to see that we could have this agency on earth. And that's the catch!

Pray without ceasing

Mosiah 26

Alma is troubled over the sins and transgressions of the people of the church and goes to the Lord and asks what he should do. The Lord speaks to him and in 19-20, I believe his calling and election is made sure. I could be wrong.

Verse 39 – Pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all things.

I use to read this and really wonder how that was possible. As I get older, I can see it as a real thing. We can pray without ceasing. As we go through our day, we ponder on the affairs of the world, those who live around us, our spouses and our children. All are in need of improvement. None of us are perfect. Since prayer is both asking for and giving thanks for, it is entirely possible that one could have a prayer in their heart without ceasing. At every turn it seems there is something to be thankful for. This may be an age thing, but in so many ways I feel like I'm slow in my spiritual growth, so maybe not. As I see the amazing young people with whom we serve, I know they've already gotten this concept.

Today it seems there is a broader tolerance for the sinner. So many seem to go around persecuting the church and are not called out as the people in Alma's time. I don't know that this is good or bad; just something I've noticed.

So how do I apply this to me today? For sure I want to stay on the side of acceptance to the Lord. But in doing so, I want to try a little harder to keep a prayer in my heart always. To talk to the Lord as I go through my day. I do that some, but without ceasing? I don't think so yet.

Small price to pay

Alma 23 & 24

It's difficult to stop at one chapter some mornings. I love the story of Alma, the bondage they are in to the Lamanites, how their burdens were lightened because of the covenant they had made with the Lord and how they were delivered. Certainly their delivery was a miraculous event.

Can we all say that of our own delivery from bondage? I know I have felt the miracle of my own delivery every day of my life since. I guess the thing I find most interesting is that we aren't just “delivered”, but that we are changed. Our hearts are changed to want to do the Lord's will in all things. That single change brings on all the other changes and we have a desire to serve and sacrifice to repay (as if that were possible) the goodness of the Lord in our lives.

I have felt I owe my best self to the Lord for my own delivery from a life that was filled with darkness, where I was persecuted in my own home for my beliefs, where I was not allowed to pray, or to worship Heavenly Father. In a somewhat similar way as the people of Alma, I was required to support my task master, who really had a good thing going for him. It was miraculous to me. It took a great deal of effort to break that bondage. It wasn't just a marriage that held me bondage, however. I had developed habits that needed to be broken as well. In some ways, this might have been just as difficult as changing my physical location and marital status, because these bad habits had become who I was at the time. And it was these habits that, bit by bit, had to be replaced by good ones. It is a process and there is no shortcut. But I testify that the Lord keeps his covenants, and as I worked to overcome my bad habits that kept me from being who I really am, I was blessed beyond any of my imaginations.

Why is the Lord so merciful in delivering us from bondage, and what did he expect from Alma and his people because of this mercy? What does he expect from me? The answer to that question is in Mosiah 24:14 - “. . .that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.” A small price to pay in my opinion and in doing so brings me joy.

Bondage

I can actually visualize this scene as Ammon and the people of Limhi sit in council with the King and brainstorm a plan to escape from the bondage they are under.

Councils are a beautiful thing.  As I've been privileged a time to two to sit in a church council and the auxiliary members are working together to find a way to help a member of their flock for any number of reasons, it seems that the sum of all them is great.  Solutions are made.  A decision is made and the plan is executed.

I also find fascination with this chapter in that the people of Limhi devise a plan to use Satan's own tool of bondage (wine - strong wine) to help free them.  The Lamanites fell for this hook, line, and sinker.  Why?  Did they not have a duty to perform?  When we are not seeking the Lord's help in our daily activities, we are subject to the flesh.  The flesh is weak.  We are shown that over and over in the scriptures as well as observing the lives of those around us.  We must be willing to be subject to the Spirit in order to keep ourselves free from bondage of any kind be it dictatorship from evil and conspiring men, or the things of the flesh, i.e. liquor, drugs, tobacco, self worship, excessive eating patterns and excessive exercise, probably anything to excess.  I suppose the list could go on, but these are examples I've seen ruin peoples' lives and take them bondage and made them slaves to Satan and unable to enjoy the blessings of the gospel not to mention life in general!

It is critical that we seek the help of the Lord in all our daily endeavors, that we keep ourselves worthy of the Spirit to guide us by reading our scriptures and counsel from our leaders and then heed the prompting of the Spirit in all things.  There are no real temporal laws.  They are all spiritual and there to keep us safe from Satan's grasp.  

Never negotiate with the Devil

Mosiah 19

Gideon goes after the King of the Nephites who is evil. He chases him to a tower and is in position to slay him, but the king notices that the Lamanites are coming after them. He talks Gideon into sparing his life so they can fight the battle at hand. The kind is more concerned for his own life than his peoples'. He talks some of the men into fleeing and leaving their families. COWARDESS! Some decide to stay but they use their fair daughters to soften the Lamanites. It works. This is still COWARDESS in my eyes. They agree with the Lamanites that if they will leave them alone they will pay 50% of evereything they own to be left alone. The Lamanites like this and agree. BONDAGE! The King is eventually killed and his son Limhi is made ruler over the people. He is a better man. Peace began to return, although there were guards all around them to keep them from fleeing. This lasted for two years.

When we don't do the right things for the right reasons, we can expect that the goodness will not continue for long. Such is the case today. The king was a coward which led his people into serious bondage.

What can be learned from this chapter? Never negotiate with the devil! His interest is not in your best interests in the least. You will be caught in his trap and be in bondage to him.   

Pass it Forward

It is the teaching of the word that converts people.  I will never forget the feelings I had as I worked at HAFB and the people there who took it as their responsibility to rescue me.  I was taught by Seventies, bishops and return missionaries and it was a beautiful thing.  My testimony grew and I knew that the Lord had a plan for me.  I was not where I could fulfill that plan and made serious corrections to my life - none of which I regret.  It has been a beautiful experience and although hard at times, it has been the biggest blessing of my life.

I know Heavenly Father loves all his children and there is someone waiting to rescue all who have strayed. Agency is an important part of this process, and we have to accept the Savior as our personal Savior and Redeemer, then make the corrections necessary to be blessed to pursue the plan the Lord has for us.

So how does this apply to me today?  I have made these changes.  It is my duty to pass it forward - to seek out those whom I can help as well.  It is my daily duty to try to be an influence for good on someone.