Obedience - A quest.

Alma 56 & 57

I wasn’t going to continue writing after I finished the Book of Mormon, but I think I’ll add thoughts as they come to me.  After all, this blog was going to be my spiritual musings in the beginning. 

This morning as I read I was hit in Alma 57 by a few words starting v19-27 (I won’t spell them out): 

• Firm
• Undaunted
• Obey
• Observe
• Exactness
• Continually

 The Stripling Warriors (those too young to have covenanted peace with the Lamanites) chose as their captain a prophet (Helaman).  Their mothers taught them in righteousness.  Those bulleted words quite possibly were lessons they taught.  Most importantly, they were taught that if they did not doubt, the Lord would protect them (v47). 

What does it mean to be firm?  Am I firm in keeping the commandments?  Do I get intimidated or discouraged when things are difficult (undaunted)?  Do I obey with exactness?  Do I observe?  Observe what?  Perhaps the effects of not being firm, undaunted and obedient so that I avoid like the plague a similar outcome.  Am I exact in my obedience?  These are things to ponder continually.  Pres. Hinckley said once, and I put it in my scriptures as a sticky note:  “When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes a quest, then we are empowered by the Lord.”  I love that!  It is certainly something worth working toward.  There is always room for improvement.