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?