This life is the time to prepare . . .

Alma 41

Alma continues his talk with Coriantum. The focus on this chapter is the meaning of the word “restoration”. Alma makes it so clear and yet some still think when they die their life will be made wonderful. The scripture comes to mind that says “This life is the time to prepare. . . .”

It is made clear what we can expect when we are resurrected. We will be restored to our natural state. One might ask – What is my natural state? Well, look at who you have become – who you are becoming. I love the story of the Indian grandfather talking to his grandson about the two spirits who are battling within him constantly. He referred to the spirit as an animal, but I won't guess what animal it was. At any rate, the grandson asked which spirit won the battle. The grandfather wisely said, “the one I feed”. Which part of our soul are we feeding? If we are succumbing to the natural and carnal man within, then that is who we can expect to come forth at the day of judgment. Conversely, if we feed the good that is within us and strive daily to become better than we were yesterday, it is that man who will stand before the Lord to be judged. I especially like verse 7: “. . .they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil.” We will know. The Lord isn't going to go through some book and read it before he judges. Our very countenance will show it. We will judge ourselves. Some say we will be harder on ourselves than the Lord will be. I suspect the better a person is, the harder he will be on himself. Why is that? My personal thought is because we always know we could do better, but we let the world get in the way far too much – the distractions of the world, that is.

So how does this affect me today? Well, obviously I want to feed the good that is within me by doing good and avoiding evil. The interesting thing about that statement is that if you are feeding the good, there really is no time to do evil. No wonder Satan has been so crafty as to find good things of little worth to occupy our hours. This is where we can pray for and be grateful for the spirit of discernment to know which part to choose.