I Thank My God

Alma 24

All those who were converted to the Lord, now known by the name of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, refused to take up arms against their enemies. In fact, they chose to die rather than to do so. And many did!

They thank their God. For what?

• For the missionaries (Oh how I love the men and women who rescued me!)
• To know the truth (How grateful I am for the truth.)
• The Spirit (I love being able to feel the Spirit. What a blessing in my life!)
• They had association with their prior enemies, the Nephites (Too lengthy to comment about.)
• They have seen their sins (Some times I shudder; but I have seen them and. . . .)
• That they could repent (I'm so grateful I could repent. So very grateful.)
• That they have been forgiven (I know the Lord has forgiven me. How do I know? The third bullet - the Spirit.)
• They are guilt free (I am free to move forward, without the guilt. You bet I thank my God.)  (v7-v10)
• They had an undying belief in the afterlife. They knew they would be saved whether in this life or the next. (v16)

And thus we see. . . . I love it when these words are used in the Book of Mormon. We are being taught a lesson from what was previously read. What do we see? Once a person has been brought to the truth and embraced it, they are firm and would suffer death rather than offend God again. I can relate to this completely. For years after I embraced the gospel, I would have dreams that would have caused me serious trouble if they had been real. I would be crying when I awoke. The fear of slipping up again was intense. How grateful I am to be free from those dreams. I know my “swords” are buried deep – never to surface again.

It is Verse 30 that causes me the biggest concern. Another “thus we see”. A truth? No doubt. Once a person has been enlightened by the Spirit of God and received great knowledge – (What would that knowledge be? Probably the lessons taught in the temple.) Once they have been enlightened and have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than had they never known these things. Oi! Yes, I thank my God . . . I continue so to do.

My challenge or assignment this day and always? Do not judge whether others were “enlightened by the Spirit of God”. That is the Lord's, and not my assignment. Love all those who struggle that they might feel the love of the Savior through me.