Look and Live

Alma 37:

12 And it may suffice if I only say they are preserved for a wise purpose, which purpose is known unto God; for he doth counsel in wisdom over all his works, and his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round.

I love the faith shown by this statement. He does not know the purposes of God but he trusts God to direct his paths. He is saying so much about the character of God. He knows all. He has a plan for all things. We are his children and he will counsel us in wisdom. He sees the larger- eternal picture. He will not lead us down crooked paths- the way is clear if we follow him.


25 I will bring forth out of darkness unto light all their secret works and their abominations
and except they repent I will destroy them from off the face of the earth; and I will bring to light all their secrets and abominations, unto every nation that shall hereafter possess the land.


Spencer W. Kimball: “My young folks, since the Lord said, ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect’ (Matthew 5:48), it would be well if all of us would take frequent inventory to see if hidden away under the rugs and in the corners of our lives there might be some vestige of hypocrisy and ugliness or error. Or could there be hidden under the blankets of personal excuse and rationalization some small eccentricities and dishonesties? Are there any cobwebs in ceilings and corners which we think will not be noticed? Are we trying to cover up the small pettinesses and the small gratifications we secretly allow ourselves-rationalizing the while that they are insignificant and inconsequential? Are there areas in our thoughts and actions and attitudes which we would like to hide from those we respect
most? Are we certain that all of our innermost secrets are kept confidential? The Lord revealed in 1831, ‘The rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow; for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed.’ (D&C 1:3.) Would a frequent house cleaning be in order for all of us?” (BYU Speeches, February 25, 1964, p. 21)

harsh? maybe. But true. Everything is known unto the Lord and eventually we will have to face the truth of who we are. Now is the time to take advantage of the atonement of the Savior. To continually take and inventory of where we are...do do an occasional "house cleaning"


34 Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls.

Henry B. Eyring: “Alma gave his son advice that is good for us. He said: (quotes Alma 37:33-34.) The good works that really matter require the help of heaven. And the help of heaven requires working past the point of fatigue so far that only the meek and lowly will keep going long enough. The Lord doesn't put us through this test just to give us a grade; he does it because the process will change us.” (To Draw Closer to God, p. 95


Neal A. Maxwell: “Paradoxical as it sounds, more diligence actually brings more relief. Any selfishness, on the other hand, magnifies our weariness. Selfishness not only shrinks the quantity of service we render but also provides none of the needed renewal, no ‘rest to [our] souls.’” (If Thou Endure It Well, p. 113)


45 And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.
46 O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.
47 And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell.

It is an easy solution. Read the scriptures. A solution we take for granted. I have had my own copy of the scriptures since before I can remember- It took me quite a long time to appreciate them. I had to make the choice to search them myself. The answers were sitting on my nightstand my whole life, but to find those answers I had to pick up the book. Look to the words of Christ and life. Through the scriptures we can find direction for our paths. We will find wisdom and guidance to teach us to be righteous. We are reminded of the commandments. We learn the character of Jesus Christ and God the Father. We are chastened and comforted. Through the scriptures we find the path to eternal life.