Late, but thoughtful… Alma 45-55…The War Chapters

I found, when I was teaching Gospel Doctrine many years ago, I would always begin my preparation and my lessons with the question, "What about this reading assignment, was important enough that prophets wrote and sacrificed to preserve this for me to read now?" We can then ask ourselves for this reading, "If Mormon was so limited in space and materials, why did he spend so much time and effort in recording the war years?"


A couple of different outside readings have helped me to put these chapters in perspective and have helped them to become some of my favorites in the Book of Mormon. One is from a 2002 issue of Religious Educator and is entitled "Captain Moroni's Wartime Strategies: An Application for the Spiritual Battles of Our Day" (click on the title and it will take you to the article! and then click on your browser's back arrow to take you back to the blog!) and was written by Richard McClendon. He does a great job of applying the things that Captain Moroni did in preparing his people for battle to what we need to do daily in our homes and families.


Another reading is from Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet's book, "Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon", pp321-327. They discuss 7 things that we can learn from these chapters, but I want to focus on just a couple of them. #4 "The power and influence of a righteous home", is the most obvious in light of the "Stripling Warriors". We know the story, we know the responsibility and I am not trying to put anyone on a guilt trip here so, enough said. More interesting to me was #5 "A person's external circumstances need not determine his attitude or faithfulness." In Alma 48:11-13, 17, we have a description of Captain Moroni, " 11 And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery; 12 Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people. 13 Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ… 17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men."


 I don't know about you sisters, but I gain great courage from the example of Captain Moroni and the prophet, Helaman and those who defended their beliefs with their lives and the families who sent their loved ones into battle. I also can't help but wonder if that was one of the reasons that Mormon put so much of their experience into the record - he too, was surrounded by the wickedness of the world and tried valiantly to stand for God and family and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He must have taken great courage, as can we, from the examples of those who did not allow their external circumstances to alter their faith and testimony. 


Which brings us to Brothers McConkie and Millet and their final reason for these chapters #7 "A prophetic pattern of what is to come." What good does it do us to read if we don't learn and apply? 

A little aside...

Happy (Almost) Christmas!!!

We have had some requests from individuals to just "post" as opposed to comment. The concern was that by commenting, they would show favoritism, or they were so far behind (or ahead) in their reading that the things they were thinking didn't make sense in light of recent posts.

SOOO…Please use the comment box below this post, to tell us all of the things that you are thinking about during your reading of either Book of Mormon or Jesus the Christ. Have you enjoyed your reading...How have the posts, in general, added to your reading…How has your reading enhanced the Christmas season…Have you shared the experience in your families? We hope that you all have beautiful and meaningful Christmases, surrounded by those you love and the love of our Savior.

(P.S. Remember that you have a few extra weeks to read!!! Our early Christmas gift to you…hee! hee!)

Parents responsibility to teach-- Book Of Mormon Chp 35-44

Hello Sisters,

This reading section is amazing. It covers some of my favorite chapters in the Book Of Mormon. There is simply too much to summarize it all in a concise way. As I was reading a couple of ideas stood out prominently. First I recalled President Eyring's talk from October General Conference that focused on the Book of Mormon and its role in our lives; how we live our lives is our witness of the truths it teaches. And second, I saw what a great responsibility parents have to teach their children correct principles. As I was reading I could imagine that Alma's heart was both joyful and heavy as he contemplated what, in essence, would be his final instructions to his sons. He had great joy in Helaman and Shiblon; sorrow in Corianton. As I am not a parent, I can only imagine how difficult it must be to counsel children and to provide correction when their course begins to move counter to what we know to be true. I think Alma did a marvelous job at providing immediate and specific instruction while still showing how much he loved his son, Corianton. He may have seen reflections of his own actions in those of his son and most certainly didn't want to have him suffer the consequences of continuing in that course. I was also reminded of a talk from Conference (I can't find it so I may be way off here...) that stated something to the effect that when we fail to offer counsel to correct mistakes we are placing our needs and comfort above those of the person in need of help.

I thought these topics were important as a focus for teaching children (or anyone for that matter): 1) Listen to leaders and parents they know the way (see Pres Packers conference talk); 2) Obedience provides a shield against Satan; 3) Remembering what God has done for us helps us be more grateful; 4) Record keeping (ie journals) are vital so that we may learn from the experiences of others; 5) Look to Christ as an example in all things (Alma 37:40-47); 6) Sin causes pain, repentance brings joy; 7) Personal revelation is vital to gaining a testimony of any gospel topic; 8) By simple means great things come about (see the RS message in Dec--our actions to teach don't need to do large and overwhelming but should be deliberate and consistent); 9) Prayer is vital (not just saying a prayer but really praying); 10) we are all given sacred responsibilities to fulfill; 11) God keeps ALL of his promises to us but it is based on our actions and faithfulness; 12) The plan of salvation is a central cog to our gospel understanding and mortality is a time to learn what and who God needs us to be; 13) wickedness never produces happiness in the long run; and 14) Justice cannot be robbed but mercy is available to those who repent. I am sure there are many more. I also like Chapter 37:32-37 as examples of what should be taught to our children.

Shiblon in one of my favorite Book of Mormon heroes. I would love to meet him someday. His coverage in the Book of Mormon isn't extensive but still paints a clear picture of the type of man that he was. He wasn't as well known as his brother, perhaps, as he wasn't to be the next religious leader. But he steadfastly and diligently did exactly what he was supposed to do for no other reason than because it was right. His father describes him as faithful, diligent, patient, long-suffering, and steady. What better qualities could be found in any man--young or old. Those are the qualities that any girls should look for in a husband and father. Alma's counsel to Shiblon to trust in the Lord to over come trials and troubles (38:5) has been one of my favorite scriptures; it figures prominently in my learning to do just that. I also love the counsel to "bridle all your passions" (vs 12) and by so doing love of God becomes the focus. And to "refrain from idleness." How often an idle mind or body can get into trouble.

Captain Moroni is introduced in these chapters as well. He is another of my heroes. I love how he always prepares for battle and prepares his people for battle. There is no procrastination in his preparation. He gives all his attention to it. Part of the preparation always includes prayer. And when the battles are finished he always gives credit to Heavenly Father for preserving their lives. What an example to us as we daily engage in battle with Satan. We should be preparing continually--scripture reading, attending sacrament meeting, serving others, etc. And we need to daily ask our Father to preserve us in this battle.

I love the Book of Mormon. I know that is comes from a loving Father who wants us all to return home so that he can crown us with blessings and glory. Christ lives. I am so grateful for the Christmas season; may the sights, sounds, and Spirit of the season be in your hearts always.

Love,
Karri Hoyt

Jesus the Christ

Chapters 27-28

Dear Sisters,

This time of year as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, I have chosen to focus on the section in Chapter 27 "Jesus and the Little Ones". I love how the event is referred to as one of 'surpassing sweetness'. I wish I could have been there!

As mothers brought their little children to be blessed, Jesus took the time to see all of them, regardless of status. "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." Taking the children one by one into His arms, He laid His hands upon them and blessed them, saying, "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."

May we have the tenderness, love and patience that the Savior showed this Christmas season and always.

With love,

Liz

Alma Chapters 3-12

Thank you, Mary Lee for your insightful comments. I always love reading what you have to say, and I hope all of you Parleys Stake Sisters had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are looking forward to a Christmas holiday filled with the Spirit of Christ.
When I re-read Alma Chapters 3-12 I was again impressed with his message of repentance and how it applies to me in my life. It’s easy for me to get caught up in the logistics of everyday life--tending grandchildren, helping with aging parents and pursuing everyday activities. I often feel more like Martha who was busy doing good things but not like Mary who took time to wait upon the Lord and listen to His voice. We are admonished to inwardly seek Christ which is difficult if we’re always ‘on a schedule’ with little time to reflect upon the scriptures and Conference addresses, serve in the temple or how to do the Lord’s will.
Alma reiterates how quickly the Lord’s people are chastened, become believing and repentant, achieve worldly success and then fall away again—often in a matter of a few years (from the sixth year of the reign of Judges to the eighth). In the beginning of Chapter 4, verse 3 & 4 we read about the people of Zarahemla: “And so great were their afflictions that every soul had cause to mourn; and they believed that it was the judgments of God sent upon them because of their wickedness and their abominations; therefore they were awakened to a remembrance of their duty. And they began to establish the church more fully.” Later in verse 12 (two years later) we read: “Yea, he saw great inequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and those who were sick and afflicted.”
Personally, it seems as soon as I’ve had some difficult experience, have appealed to the Lord and have had my prayers answered that I readily return to my old ways of worldly pursuits and a more casual relationship with the Lord. It’s easy for me to reflect on what I’ve done rather than think what more I can do. I think we’ve seen this mentality in our own society after 9/11 and our economic downturn. We all seem to easily forget the Lord and return to our old ways. It takes discipline and a contrite heart to continually return to the Lord, abandon our old ways and seek ways to help those in need. I like what Alma said in Chapter 5:7 as he preached to the people in Zarahemla: “behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word…”
I have reflected these past few days on the concept of light versus darkness and warmth versus the cold and dreary world since our electrical power was gone for two days and a night during that cold and windy wintry spell. I realized that I didn’t possess very good pioneer patience during this time but was also aware how bleak and dreary our home was without light and warmth. I likened this to the light of Christ in our lives and how wonderful our lives feel when we keep his commandments and how dreary and dark they become when we fail to honor them. The Lord wants us to ‘strip ourselves of pride and envy (Alma 5:29, 30), and “partake of the fruit of the tree of life…drink of the bread and the waters of life freely” (verse 34)
I am so grateful for the gift of repentance and how the Lord forgives us continually when we make mistakes. I also better understand from our Relief Society lessons these past few weeks how important it is to keep His commandments so that we may someday live in the Celestial Kingdom with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Book of Mormon - Alma 13-23

These were great chapters on missionary work and the teachings of Alma, Amulek and the Sons of Mosiah as they traveled from town to town preaching the gospel, teaching repentance, and converting those who would listen.

Chapter 14 - Has an amazing account of when Alma and Amulek were cast into prison and the believers were burned by fire. The spirit constrained Alma not to intervene and save the women and children from the painful death. In verse 11 he states, "For behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day".

That is a good lesson to remember that bad things can happen to good people sometimes and even though it seems unjust and unfair in this world, God knows the beginning from the end and has a reason for everything. We just have to have faith that all will be made right in the end. Sometimes people wonder how a loving God could allow tragedy or accidents to happen to righteous people. Sometimes others have made poor decisions that have bad consequences and it's a good lesson to see that the righteous, even though they suffered an awful death, were welcomed with glory and that God would use their deaths to hold the guilty accountable.

Alma and Amulek were not burned since their ministry was not finished but they were beaten repeatedly, mocked, and put into prison without food or water. They were there for many days when finally Alma prayed asking for deliverance. Immediately, he was able to break his bonds and the earth shook and the prison walls fell and killed all the judges and priests who had held them captive. That is a powerful illustration of God's ability to conquer all things in His due time. Faith and patience is what is required on our part.

Alma and Alma continue to preach, establishes places of worship, perform miracles (healing of Zeezrom), administer to the people and teach of Christ.

Chapter 17 - Alma meets the sons of Mosiah in his travels, and they all continue to preach the gospel. Ammon is a servant to the king who is given special strength to protect the king's flock of sheep and through his great combat skills, is able to win favor with the king. He preaches of God and of repentance. Many believed on his words and "their hearts had been changed; they had no more desire to do evil".

Chapters 22-23 - Aaron converts the king who prays and falls to the earth. The queen almost has Aaron killed but through Aaron, the Lord allows the king to stand and all are converted and religious freedom is granted through the kingdom. God works miracles and they "became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren."

I can only imagine a world where people not only don't fight God but they treat their neighbors with kindness, love and respect. That is the ideal we are striving for, and in our crazy world where so much is in turmoil, peace is missing from so many. I liked these verses as a reminder that "every member is a missionary" and that we should do all in our power to share the gospel of peace.

As the Christmas season approaches, I'm thankful to know that through Christ, we can have that peace that the world seems to be missing. We can pattern our lives after the Savior and have no more desire to do evil. We can see God's hand in so many of the generous services that people do a little more of during the holiday season and as we contemplate our blessings and have gratitude for our families, our comforts, our trials and our very lives, our testimonies will grow and we will be truly "converted unto the Lord, never to fall away".