Alma 27:
10: But the king said unto him; Inquire of the Lord, and if he saith unto us go, we will go; Otherwise we will perish in the land.
I love the king's faith in this verse. It stands out to me because I so often struggle. I inquire of the Lord but I don't always act on what I'm told. My lack of faith sometimes keeps me asking the same questions over and over again and not acting on the answers I receive. But it's stated so plainly here- If the Lord saith go, we will go. When the Lord tells me to go, I will go.
17 Now the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth.
"A fullness of joy is found only among resurrected, exalted beings… In mortality men experience joy only in righteousness – that is, in obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel – the gospel being the “glad tidings of great joy.” Joy is characteristic of the presence of the Holy Ghost, from whom it comes. It is experienced only when the Spirit is present, and that most acutely in the manifestation that our sins have been remitted, in the knowledge that our path is pleasing to and approved of God, and in our helping others find the way to light and salvation." DCBM, 3:188-89
23 And behold, we will set our armies between the land Jershon and the land Nephi, that we may protect our brethren in the land Jershon; and this we do for our brethren, on account of their fear to take up arms against their brethren lest they should commit sin; and this their great fear came because of their sore repentance which they had, on account of their many murders and their awful wickedness.
I love this verse because of the character of the Nephites. They truly understand the atonement and the doctrine of repentance. They willingly give up part of their lands and offer their own lives to protect these Lamanites- the same lamanites who have, with their own hands, killed family and friends of the Nephites. The Nephites know the past sins of the Lamanites and yet they forgive them and offer protection. Protection from what many would say they deserved as payment for their past crimes. But these Lamanites have changed, they have even stopped calling themselves Lamanites. They have repented and become new creatures in Christ. What I find remarkable is that the Nephies were able to ALLOW them to change. So often people change, but those around them can't accept it. They can't let go of past hurts. They won't forget the injury of injustice caused by this person's actions. Those people do not understand the full measure of Christ's atonement. If he can forgive these people their murders how can we not forgive much smaller offenses?
28 And they did look upon shedding the blood of their brethren with the greatest abhorrence; and they never could be prevailed upon to take up arms against their brethren; and they never did look upon death with any degree of terror, for their hope and views of Christ and the resurrection; therefore, death was swallowed up to them by the victory of Christ over it.
Russell M. Nelson:
"The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life… As seedlings of God, we barely blossom on earth; we fully flower in heaven… Think of the alternative [to death]. If all sixty-nine billion people who have ever lived on earth were still here, imaging the traffic jam!... Scriptures teach that death is essential to happiness: Our limited perspective would be enlarged if we could witness the reunion on the other side of the veil, when doors of death open to those returning home… We need not look upon death as an enemy… I know by experiences too sacred to relate that those who have gone before are not strangers to leaders of this Church. To us and to you, our loved ones may be just as close as the next room – separated only by the doors of death." Ensign, May 1992, 72-74
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Strengthened in the Lord
Alma 15:
In this chapter Alma and Amulek leave the city and find all the people who believe their words and were chased out of the city and stoned. With these people is Zeezrom- the awful attorney who tried to twist their words and have them arrested...this is the guy who riled everyone up ultimately causing the death of women and children and the imprisonment of Alma and Amulek.
3 And also Zeezrom lay sick at Sidom, with a burning fever, which was caused by the great tribulations of his mind on account of his wickedness, for he supposed that Alma and Amulek were no more; and he supposed that they had been slain because of his iniquity. And this great sin, and his many other sins, did harrow up his mind until it did become exceedingly sore, having no deliverance; therefore he began to be scorched with a burning heat.
Boyd K. Packer: “I recently asked a doctor of family medicine how much of his time was devoted purely to correcting physical disorders. He has a large practice, and after thoughtfully considering, he answered, ‘Not more than 20 percent. The rest of the time I seem to be working on problems that very much affect the physical well-being of my patients but do not originate in the body. ’These physical disorders,’ the doctor concluded, ‘are merely symptoms of some other kind of trouble.’… There is another part of us, not so tangible, but quite as real as our physical body. This intangible part of us is described as mind, emotion, intellect, temperament, and many other things. Very seldom is it described as spiritual. But there is a spirit in man; to ignore it is to ignore reality. There are spiritual disorders, too, and spiritual diseases that can cause intense suffering. The body and the spirit of man are bound together. Often, very often, when there are disorders, it is very difficult to tell which is which.” (Ensign, Nov. 1977, p. 59 as taken from the BOM Institute Manual,1981, p. 240)
4 Now, when he heard that Alma and Amulek were in the land of Sidom, his heart began to take courage; and he sent a message immediately unto them, desiring them to come unto him.
5 And it came to pass that they went immediately, obeying the message which he had sent unto them; and they went in unto the house unto Zeezrom; and they found him upon his bed, sick, being very low with a burning fever; and his mind also was exceedingly sore because of his iniquities; and when he saw them he stretched forth his hand, and besought them that they would heal him.
6 And it came to pass that Alma said unto him, taking him by the hand: Believest thou in the power of Christ unto salvation?
-Alma approaches him and not only speaks to him without any anger or a grudge of any kind, knowing this man's mistakes, he takes him by the hand....a sign of affection and mercy.
7 And he answered and said: Yea, I believe all the words that thou hast taught.
8 And Alma said: If thou believest in the redemption of Christ thou canst be healed.
9 And he said: Yea, I believe according to thy words.
10 And then Alma cried unto the Lord, saying: O Lord our God, have mercy on this man, and heal him according to his faith which is in Christ.
11 And when Alma had said these words, Zeezrom leaped upon his feet, and began to walk; and this was done to the great astonishment of all the people; and the knowledge of this went forth throughout all the land of Sidom.
12 And Alma baptized Zeezrom unto the Lord; and he began from that time forth to preach unto the people.
“That Zeezrom proves himself in the eyes of his mentor, Alma, is confirmed by the fact that he
regularly appears in the accounts of Alma’s ministry as one of his most trusted and reliable companions and fellow servants. Years after the events in Ammonihah and Sidom, when Alma undertakes one of the most difficult challenges of his life’s ministry-the conversion of the Zoramites-Zeezrom is chosen along with Ammon, Aaron, Omner, Amulek, and two of Alma’s sons to be a part of this seasoned missionary force (see Alma 31:6).” (Heroes From the Book of Mormon, pp. 118-9))
Zeezrom becomes a missionary- a great one!! Everything Alma and Amulek went through had a purpose- A further testimony that all things shall be for our good. There is a purpose to life and a purpose for all we go through, and the people who come into our lives can help us to become the best version of ourselves- if we let them.
16 And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek, Amulek having forsaken all his gold, and silver, and his precious things, which were in the land of Ammonihah, for the word of God, he being rejected by those who were once his friends and also by his father and his kindred;
18 Now as I said, Alma having seen all these things, therefore he took Amulek and came over to the land of Zarahemla, and took him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord.
Amulek is having a hard time. He has left his home and his posessions. He was a wealthy man. He has walked away from everything he has known, including his family and friends. He is alone and penniless for the sake of the Gospel. And I love in 18- Alma is a compassionate friend. He takes him back to his own home and listens. He comforts Amulek in his trial and shares his testimony. He strengthens Amulek as each one of us should do for our friends. I imagine after being imprisoned and mistreated together and having witnessed many miracles together that Alma and Amulek are more like brothers than just mission companions...I wouldn't mind having Alma on my list of friends.
In this chapter Alma and Amulek leave the city and find all the people who believe their words and were chased out of the city and stoned. With these people is Zeezrom- the awful attorney who tried to twist their words and have them arrested...this is the guy who riled everyone up ultimately causing the death of women and children and the imprisonment of Alma and Amulek.
3 And also Zeezrom lay sick at Sidom, with a burning fever, which was caused by the great tribulations of his mind on account of his wickedness, for he supposed that Alma and Amulek were no more; and he supposed that they had been slain because of his iniquity. And this great sin, and his many other sins, did harrow up his mind until it did become exceedingly sore, having no deliverance; therefore he began to be scorched with a burning heat.
Boyd K. Packer: “I recently asked a doctor of family medicine how much of his time was devoted purely to correcting physical disorders. He has a large practice, and after thoughtfully considering, he answered, ‘Not more than 20 percent. The rest of the time I seem to be working on problems that very much affect the physical well-being of my patients but do not originate in the body. ’These physical disorders,’ the doctor concluded, ‘are merely symptoms of some other kind of trouble.’… There is another part of us, not so tangible, but quite as real as our physical body. This intangible part of us is described as mind, emotion, intellect, temperament, and many other things. Very seldom is it described as spiritual. But there is a spirit in man; to ignore it is to ignore reality. There are spiritual disorders, too, and spiritual diseases that can cause intense suffering. The body and the spirit of man are bound together. Often, very often, when there are disorders, it is very difficult to tell which is which.” (Ensign, Nov. 1977, p. 59 as taken from the BOM Institute Manual,1981, p. 240)
4 Now, when he heard that Alma and Amulek were in the land of Sidom, his heart began to take courage; and he sent a message immediately unto them, desiring them to come unto him.
He hears that Alma and Amulek are there and he exercises his faith and incredible courage to ask these men to come to him. Because really, after what he has done, he probably should bury his head in the sand and not be wanting to see two men that he treated so poorly.
5 And it came to pass that they went immediately, obeying the message which he had sent unto them; and they went in unto the house unto Zeezrom; and they found him upon his bed, sick, being very low with a burning fever; and his mind also was exceedingly sore because of his iniquities; and when he saw them he stretched forth his hand, and besought them that they would heal him.
This verse is quite possibly one of my favorite. Why?
1. Alma and Amulek, could have held a grudge. But they didn't. He asked them to come and they didn't say "oh we'll get around to it sometime". They went immediately.
2. Zeezrom showed great humility by being able to ask these men to heal him. That would take a great amount of faith and humility to ask something of two men you tried so hard to hinder.
6 And it came to pass that Alma said unto him, taking him by the hand: Believest thou in the power of Christ unto salvation?
-Alma approaches him and not only speaks to him without any anger or a grudge of any kind, knowing this man's mistakes, he takes him by the hand....a sign of affection and mercy.
7 And he answered and said: Yea, I believe all the words that thou hast taught.
8 And Alma said: If thou believest in the redemption of Christ thou canst be healed.
9 And he said: Yea, I believe according to thy words.
10 And then Alma cried unto the Lord, saying: O Lord our God, have mercy on this man, and heal him according to his faith which is in Christ.
Perfect example of the atonement and what it can do for a person. Zeezrom has felt Godly sorrow, he asks for forgiveness and also asks to be healed. Alma no longer remembers Zeezrom's sin, or chooses not to. Then he asks the Lord for mercy on behalf of Zeezrom-that he may be healed according to his faith. Beautiful. When you consider all that Alma suffered because of the words of Zeezrom, to turn around and to forgive him so completely is incredible. What and example of charity.
11 And when Alma had said these words, Zeezrom leaped upon his feet, and began to walk; and this was done to the great astonishment of all the people; and the knowledge of this went forth throughout all the land of Sidom.
-He didn't just get up slowly like you would expect of someone who has been sick and nearly dying. He leaps out of his bed and walks. Makes me wonder- when I've been healed physically, emotionally, or spiritually, do I LEAP up and walk? Or do I sit and think about how sick I was or how terrible that experience was? I hope I leap. I hope I leap and cause all those around ME to be astonished and to spread the news through all the land of how great the healing power of the atonement can be!!
12 And Alma baptized Zeezrom unto the Lord; and he began from that time forth to preach unto the people.
“That Zeezrom proves himself in the eyes of his mentor, Alma, is confirmed by the fact that he
regularly appears in the accounts of Alma’s ministry as one of his most trusted and reliable companions and fellow servants. Years after the events in Ammonihah and Sidom, when Alma undertakes one of the most difficult challenges of his life’s ministry-the conversion of the Zoramites-Zeezrom is chosen along with Ammon, Aaron, Omner, Amulek, and two of Alma’s sons to be a part of this seasoned missionary force (see Alma 31:6).” (Heroes From the Book of Mormon, pp. 118-9))
Zeezrom becomes a missionary- a great one!! Everything Alma and Amulek went through had a purpose- A further testimony that all things shall be for our good. There is a purpose to life and a purpose for all we go through, and the people who come into our lives can help us to become the best version of ourselves- if we let them.
16 And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek, Amulek having forsaken all his gold, and silver, and his precious things, which were in the land of Ammonihah, for the word of God, he being rejected by those who were once his friends and also by his father and his kindred;
18 Now as I said, Alma having seen all these things, therefore he took Amulek and came over to the land of Zarahemla, and took him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord.
Amulek is having a hard time. He has left his home and his posessions. He was a wealthy man. He has walked away from everything he has known, including his family and friends. He is alone and penniless for the sake of the Gospel. And I love in 18- Alma is a compassionate friend. He takes him back to his own home and listens. He comforts Amulek in his trial and shares his testimony. He strengthens Amulek as each one of us should do for our friends. I imagine after being imprisoned and mistreated together and having witnessed many miracles together that Alma and Amulek are more like brothers than just mission companions...I wouldn't mind having Alma on my list of friends.
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