The Lord is in charge

Alma 44

Moroni has Zarahemnah and his men cornered.  They can obliterate them if they choose but Moroni offers them to walk away unharmed if they will make a covenant to never come to war against them again.

You have to hand it to Zarahemnah a little on this one.  He refuses the offer because he knows they are incapable of not warring against the Nephites.  Moroni says fine and proceeds to take them out.  After another conflict with them and Zarahemnah sees they cannot come out of this alive, he agrees to the covenant and they go on their way, having given their weapons of war to Moroni.  The number of people who died from this conflict on both sides was so great they didn’t number them. 

I have written in my margin on v3 Romans 8:31 – the scripture mastery “If God be for us, who can be against us?”  This is the mindset we must embrace.  I keep telling the RS Presidents I serve that the Lord has their back.  If they’ll put in their best efforts, he wants this program to succeed and he will guide them.  I believe this with all my heart.  No matter the conflict, it can be worked out with faith that the Lord wants us to succeed.  Our conflicts will probably not be with the sword.  Ours are in our efforts to love others into serving the Lord.  Remembering the Lord is in charge and will guide us is an important key to our success in any conflict.

Love is the answer

Alma 43

The beginning of the war chapters.  These chapters took on an entirely new meaning when I attended a class that suggested it is not talking war as much as it is talking about protecting our homes and families from the evil war that is being waged against us by Satan. 

There are key players in this particular war.  We have the Nephites who are followers of God (The Lord’s people) and then we have the Lamanites who were raised on the lies of their fathers.  They were raised to hate the Nephites.  The other groups of people are the Almalakites and the Zoramites.  These were apostates – people who at one time believed in God.  (These three groups are Satan’s warriors.)  It is made clear in v7 that the apostates’ hatred toward the Nephites was even worse than that of the Lamanites.  This is something to be reckoned with in our day.  We have good people who fall away from the church for whatever reason.  Some of them are angry for perceived injustices or blessings they feel they have been denied.  They will do anything to make the church look bad in the eyes of the rest of the world.  They will go to extreme lengths to fight Satan’s war against the powers of heaven.  This is why we need to guard carefully the membership of our people – especially our own homes. 

One thing that stands out to me and is almost humorous is the stupidity of those who fight against the Lord.  They don’t use common sense. The Nephites used strategy and counseled with a prophet for guidance on how to fight this war that was being waged against them.  Alma, a prophet of the Lord, knew their plan through revelation and gave sound advice.  There were fearful moments and some were lost, but they stayed true to their cause and cornered their enemy.  They could have obliterated the entire group of dissenters; but instead, they tried to talk sense.  You really can’t talk sense to a dissenter.  They have their ideas, and in their distorted minds, they are truth.

What does this tell me about my life today?  Well, certainly the only way to deal with anyone is through the power of love.  Love is a language that we all understand though it is unfamiliar to some.  Acceptance is another key.  We all need to feel accepted for who we are.  Find common ground and work from that common ground.  It’s easier said than done, but if it wasn’t doable, I don’t believe the Lord would have commanded us to love one another. 

Merry Christmas!

Alma 42

Mercy vs Justice. The Lord had a Plan – very meticulously thought out. Agency was a major part of that plan. When Adam and Eve partook of the fruit in the Garden of Eden, they were actually following that Plan which removed them from the Garden of Eden and into the world where they would suffer for their actions.

It is interesting to me that we, as parents, want to take that agency away from our children. I'm sure the Lord may have had similar feelings which is why the Atonement is a big part of the Plan. But first we must experience the consequences of our actions, see the error in our ways and repent sufficiently that the Atonement can take effect in our lives. Without beating it to death again this morning, can I say how truly grateful I am for this most divine Plan? I have a life that I could never have dreamed imaginable 34 years ago. My knowledge of the “Plan” was limited because I wasn't interested prior to the need for the Atonement.

And as I sit here this Christmas morning, my heart is full of gratitude for a Savior who came to earth in the most humble of circumstances – certainly more humble than anything I have experienced. He lived a life lonelier than I've ever been, suffering from mean people more than anything I've experienced. He was homeless, dependent on the goodness of others for all his needs. And yet he gave me the one thing I could never give myself. His gift allowed me a second chance – a chance to prove to Heavenly Father that I love him and will obey at all costs. I may be lonely, but I know the Savior is there to fill that loneliness when the time comes. I may suffer, but I know my suffering will never exceed the suffering my Savior endured for me. I can handle it with his help. I will (and do) suffer from the poor choices of others, and somehow, I find joy in the Gospel of Jesus Christ that this too is part of the Plan and I can endure it.

Justice vs. Mercy. The Lord is ingenious! He provided a Plan. I'm grateful for it and I know I have only scratched the surface of its magnitude. Merry Christmas to anyone who felt the need to read this today. I pray for you that you will find peace in the Plan put in place eons ago by a Heavenly Father who loves us and wants us to return to Him. I pray for you that you will have the courage to do what it takes to be there on that glorious morning when our Savior returns. Merry Christmas!

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.

Sign me up for the better part!

Alma 40

Alma continues talking with Coriantum – this time about the resurrection and what we can expect when we die. This is a chapter I would refer to if someone wanted to know what would happen after they die.

The first thing that happens when we die is we go back to that God who gave us life. I can't find the reference quickly and I have grandchildren waiting for breakfast, but I remember learning that the creator of our bodies is Christ. So we return to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Then is when there is a separation. Those who have made righteous choices can look forward to:

• rest
• peace
• rest from troubles, cares and sorrows

The wicked can look forward to:

• weeping
• wailing
• gnashing of teeth
• awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God

How long does this last? Until the time of their resurrection. What happens then? Their bodies will be reunited with their souls and they will be judged. The righteous have this to look forward to “the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of God”. The wicked can look forward to “. . .an awful death cometh upon the wicked for they die as to things pertaining to things of righteousness; for they are unclean, and no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God; but they are cast out, ad consigned to partake of the fruit of their labors or their works, which have been evil; and they drink the dregs of a bitter cup.” (v26)

I looked up the word dregs. It is the “most undesirable part”. Now that's something to look forward to. NOT!

It's pretty straight forward. On the one hand (righteousness), we can look forward to peace and rest. On the other (wickedness) we can look forward to some pretty awful stuff. The Lord leaves it up to us. We can choose. As for me, I choose the better part. It might mean I go without a few things in this life that are attractive momentarily, but bring an eternity of sorrow because of the knowledge I could have had it all – all that belongs to the Lord will belong to those who make righteous choices. Sign me up!

Let your Good Works protect your

Alma 39

Alma talks with his son Coriantum. Coriantum was on a mission and transgressed. There are some real lessons being taught in this chapter.

• Boasting in our own strength will weaken us (v2)
• We should never leave our post (v3)
• Who we mingle with is critical to our safety (v3)
• If we will be busy about the Lord's work, there's no time for trouble (4)
• Sexual sin is an abomination to the Lord and difficult to gain repentance - but doable (v5-6)
• You cannot hide your sins from God (8)
• Seek and follow the counsel of others who are strong in the faith (v10)
• The sins of the saints set a bad example for others. (v11)
• We cannot take the riches of the world with us when we die (v14)

Coriantum apparently took the counsel of his father because he later became a great missionary and his name was redeemed in Alma 49:30. Those who stumble can find great comfort in this fact. However, they need to remember that it is work and the work is theirs. The list above is what needs to be worked at – every day.

When we have turned our lives around, it is critical that we not look back. Back at what? The life we once lived no matter how much we loved those who were in it. Those things must remain in our past. Our friends, habits, the way we spent our time, the things we thought about and did. We fill our days with service to the Lord, in doing good and living righteously – worthy at all times to enter the temple. When we feel weak, we seek out those who are strong for help. Old friends, habits and activities need to be the swords we bury.  You may think this is unchristlike.  Maybe it is, but remember you are sick and need to be well again.  

Again, I find it insulting that I have children who think I just went to the temple and the blessings flowed. The blessings did flow, but I was busy doing what I had covenanted to do and my past was just that – my past. Was it easy? No! I remember my second holiday alone, (and there were other holidays as difficult). It was New Years Eve. The neighborhood was busy celebrating. I was in a new place and knew no one. I was in bed early, but the fireworks, whooping and hollering were torturous. I cried. I was alone. But I was not going to look back. I was happy to be free from the past. I was blessed immensely.

Why do I share these things? Because people I love are going through similar challenges and their weaknesses are getting in the way of their progress and joy. I have literally watched the luster of living righteously dull the countenance of two sweet daughters because of poor choices. It is sad, but I know that these things can be changed. Coriantum changed, and they can too. But it is work! It is a conscious effort to move forward in the ways of the Lord – every minute of every day; never taking a minute off.

My counsel for the day? We really can never let our guard down. There is work to do and the work is ours. If we keep that focus in our lives, there is not time to get in trouble. This is my firm testimony.

Thanks,guys!

Alma 38

Alma talks to his son Shiblom who has brought him much joy. He's been a straight arrow all his life. It is a short chapter packed with good advice to all our children, but especially to those who have never strayed.

I am so very grateful to be able to relate to this chapter. I too have a son (as well as a couple of daughters) who has brought us nothing but joy. He always wanted to have a missionary haircut and be clean shaven. He's never deviated in his course. What a blessing this is in a parent's life. Is there advice to a son (or daughter) like this? Absolutely!

• Remember! (v5)
• Trust God that you will be delivered out of your trials, troubles and afflictions. There will be trials in life regardless of your goodness. What is it we are supposed to trust in? That we will be lifted up at the last day IF we trust the Lord enough to keep his commandments.
• Bridle your passions (v12) We all have them and they all need to be controlled.
• Avoid pride and boasting (v11)
• Be bold, but not overbearing (v12)
• Refrain from idleness (v12) I'm afraid this one is for all of us.
• Keep prayers sincere and heartfelt (v13)
• Acknowledge unworthiness before God at all times (v14)

Yes, there is plenty of counsel even for the righteous son or daughter. Why this counsel? (v15) So that the Lord will continue to bless as he has done in the past.

How does this affect me this day? Of course, I must follow this counsel as well. But this day, I praise my Heavenly Father that I have a few children who have been as Shiblom – faithful in keeping their commandments and thus bringing joy to their parents. Thanks, guys!