Firm in the Faith of Christ
Alma 43-52
A big Thanks to Elder Ted Gibbons who posts his lessons online @ www.ldsgospeldoctrine.net
I used quite a bit of his material for this particular lesson.
At the beginning of our discussion today, I pose the same question I have many times during this course of study. Being that the plates were difficult to write upon, that the author’s did not include even an hundreth part of the doings of their people, and that the author’s tend to focus mainly on the more spiritual themes, Why does nearly 1/3 of the Book of Mormon deal with war and related issues?
Mormon saw our day.. a day riddled with wars and rumors of wars. Yet, it is difficult to believe that he included this information so that we could use similar strategies on countries we are at war with.
More likely, Mormon included this information to teach us how to remain Christlike during times of conflict, to prepare us for the second coming of Christ, and to teach us how to handle earthly conflicts and how to defend ourselves and our families in the battle against Satan.
Why were the Nephites fighting against the Lamanites?
This was a religious war. The more popular part of the Zoramites were angry with the Nephites for welcoming in the newly converted Zoramites into Jershon. The Zoramite leaders wanted the Ammonites to expel these converts. However, they did just the opposite. They nourished, administered to and gave them a place to live. In retaliation, the Zoramite leaders banded with the Lamanites and stirred them up to anger against the Nephites.
What did the Lamanites hope to accomplish from this war?
usurp great power over them, and also that he might gain power over the Nephites by bringing them into cbondage.
What were the Nephite’s designs?
9 And now the design of the Nephites was to support their lands, and their houses, and their awives, and their children, that they might preserve them from the hands of their enemies; and also that they might preserve their brights and their privileges, yea, and also their cliberty, that they might worship God according to their desires.
10 For they knew that if they should fall into the hands of the Lamanites, that whosoever should aworship God in bspirit and in truth, the true and the living God, the Lamanites would cdestroy.
The Lamanite armies gathered in Antionum under their chief captain Zarahemnah, while the Nephite armies gathered in Jershon under their chief captain, Moroni.
What lessons are to be learned from the war that ensued?
Be Prepared
When the Nephites learned that the Zoramites had become Lamanites, they knew at once that the result would be war. They did not wait for the attack to commence. When the Nephites saw . . . that the Lamanites were coming upon them . . . they made preparations for war; yea, they gathered together their armies in the land of Jershon. (Alma 43:4)
They prepared in part by putting on their armor: "breast-plates and . . . arm-shields, yea, and also shields to defend their heads, and also they were dressed with thick clothing– (Alma 43:19)
We have received revelation in the latter days to do the same:
D&C 27:15-18
15 Wherefore, alift up your hearts and brejoice, and cgird up your loins, and take upon you my whole darmor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to estand.
16 Stand, therefore, having your loins agirt about with btruth, having on the cbreastplate of drighteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the egospel of fpeace, which I have sent mine gangels to commit unto you;
17 Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the afiery darts of the wicked;
18 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my aSpirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be bcaught up, that where I am ye shall be calso. Amen.
Be Inspired by the proper motives
President Charles W. Penrose, who was a member of the First Presidency, said: “It is not right for us to engage in the shedding of human blood, for vengeance or retaliation. But when the Lord commands or inspires his servants to counsel the sons and daughters of Israel to lend their aid in the work of righteous warfare, that is different. … We are to arise in our might and in our strength and go forth to victory; not with a desire to shed blood, not with the desire to destroy our fellow creatures, but in self defense and because we do want to maintain and hand down to our posterity those sacred principles of liberty that have been revealed from on high” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1917, 21).
It was the Lamanites who came against the Nephites, not the other way around. They wanted to place the Nephites in bondage so they could not worship the true and living God. The Nephites were doing their duty to God in defending themselves for the Lord had said unto them,
Ye shall adefend your families even unto bbloodshed. Therefore for this cause were the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion.
We defend ourselves from Satan by simply living the gospel of Jesus Christ valiantly. We involve ourselves in our communities and countries and actively support righteous leaders in their efforts to make and enforce laws to preserve our freedoms. We protect our families by supporting the proclamation on the family and boldly declaring our standards to the world.
Keep Your Covenants
Even in these desperate extremities, with Nephites forced to lay their lives on the line in defense of the people of Ammon, the Ammonites were firm. They would not take up weapons against their enemies:
they would not take up arms, yea, they had entered into a covenant and they would not break
it--therefore, if they should fall into the hands of the Lamanites they would be destroyed. (Alma 43:11, emphasis added)
For some, unusual and frightening circumstances are an excuse to reevaluate commitment to covenants. All of us have encountered people who excuse iniquity by saying, "I said I would, but . . ." followed by a description of a circumstance never imagined when the covenant was made. The Lord’s feelings about this are described in
D&C 98:14,15:
Therefore, be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto , that you may be found worthy. For if ye will not abide in my covenant ye are not worthy of me.
During difficult times in our lives, we may be tempted to abandon our covenants. At such a time we should remember the Anti-Nephi-Lehies waiting without weapons for enemies determined to bring about their destruction. "For they had entered into a covenant and they would not break it." No one in the kingdom of God has ever been invited to make a conditional covenant. The Lord does not work that way. We make promises with our eyes wide open, but still unable to see what will come in a day or a week or a month. But they are never conditional covenants. We cannot say, "I will keep my covenants so long as things go well and I have no problems." In fact, the only way for the Lord and for us to know how we really feel about our covenants is to see how we respond in a situation when covenants are hard or dangerous or inconvenient to keep.
4. Everyone Should do their part
Even though the Ammonites could not fight, they did not remain passive in this fight for freedom. They gave the Nephites a large portion of their substance to support their armies. This allowed the armies to focus on defending the people rather than wondering where their next meal was coming from.
We, similarly, support our leaders with their many responsibilities. Even though I am not the Relief Society president, I can fulfill my calling as a visiting teacher to the best of my ability so that she can focus on the overall well being of all the sisters in the ward.
5. Know what needs to be defended
When the Lamanites saw the preparation of the Nephites at Jershon, they reconsidered their plans and departed into the wilderness on a roundabout journey to the land of Manti. Moroni sent men to watch them, but he also, . . . knowing of the prophecies of Alma, sent certain men unto him, desiring him that he should inquire of the Lord whither the armies of the Nephites should go to defend themselves against the Lamanites. (Alma 43:23)
I am certain that you have seen this happen in your own lives. As you have gathered your family around the TV in April and October and listened to the prophets, seers, and revelators, have you not noted how clearly and precisely they point out the places that need defending in this culture and generation. How many warnings have we heard about the dangers threatening the home? How much as been spoken about movies and media?
In a related verse, we learn that sometimes the Lord will warn us of the necessity to flee rather than fight.
And this was their faith, that by so doing God would prosper them in the land, or in other words, if they were faithful in keeping the commandments of God that he would prosper them in the land; yea, warn them to flee, or to prepare for war, according to their danger . . . (Alma 48:15).
The epidemic of pornography was mentioned 372 times in the Ensign between 1970 and 2000. From 1899 to 1969, this plague was only mentioned 9 times in General Conference, and never before 1959 when Elder Benson mentioned it in an October sermon. The prophets have indicated clearly where the danger lies.
6. Know your enemy and what their intentions are
Zerahemna led the Lamanites and Zoramites and Amalakites into battle against the Nephites
"that he might usurp great power over them, and also that he might gain power over the Nephites by bringing them into ."(Alma 43:8)
Moroni knew the intention of the Lamanites, that it was their intention to destroy their brethren, or to subject them and bring them into that they might establish a kingdom unto themselves over all the land . . . (Alma 43:29)
Do you know what Satan’s intentions are?
Joseph Smith said, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.255)
And Lehi said of Lucifer that "he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." (2 Nephi 2:27)
Shakespeare wrote, “The prince of darkness is a gentleman” (King Lear, act 3, sc. 4, line 143), and “the devil can cite Scripture for his purpose” (The Merchant of Venice, act 1, sc. 3, line 95). As the great deceiver, Lucifer has marvelous powers of deception. As Paul said to the Corinthians, “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14; see also 2 Ne. 9:9).
Some of Satan’s most appealing lines are “Everyone does it”; “If it doesn’t hurt anybody else, it’s all right”; “If you feel all right about it, it’s OK”; or “It’s the ‘in’ thing to do.” These subtle entreaties make Satan the great imitator, the master deceiver, the arch counterfeiter, and the great forger. (James E. Faust, “‘The Great Imitator’,” Ensign, Nov 1987, 33).
7. Cry unto God for strength.
Alma 43:48-50
And it came to pass that when the men of Moroni saw the fierceness and the anger of the
Lamanites, they were about to shrink and flee from them. And Moroni, perceiving their intent, sent forth and inspired their hearts with these thoughts--yea, the thoughts of their lands, their liberty, yea, their freedom from . And it came to pass that they turned upon the Lamanites, and they cried with one voice unto the Lord their God, for their liberty and their freedom from . And they began to stand against the Lamanites with power; and in that selfsame hour that they cried unto the Lord for their freedom, the Lamanites began to flee before them; and they fled even to the waters of Sidon (Alma 43:48-50)
The example of people praying is more awe-inspiring, more powerful, than the explosion of an atomic bomb. The force of prayer is greater than any possible combination of man-controlled powers ( Pres. Ezra Taft Benson)
"The inhabitants of the earth do not realize the effect and benefit of prayer. The Lord hears and answers the prayers of men, women and children. Prayer has more power, a great deal, to bring down the blessings of God, than almost any other thing." Wilford Woodruff, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff (2004), 110
8. Seek your enemy’s best interest as well as your own.
When Moroni recognized that the Lamanites were in his power,
he immediately "commanded his men that they should stop shedding their ." (Alma 43:54) He said to the Lamanite commander, "we do not desire to be men of . Ye know that ye are in our hands, yet we do not desire to slay you." (Alma 44:1)
The inclination of the natural man is to say, "I’ll do worse to you than you did to me," especially if he is in a position of power. When those who have injured us and offended us and belittled us are subject to our will, we must be like Captain Moroni.
Behold, we have not come out to battle against you that we might shed your for power; neither do we desire to bring any one to the yoke of . (Alma 44:2)
Captain Moroni raises the “Title of Liberty” to inspire the people
After the battles with the Lamanites, Helaman and his brethren went throughout the land, preaching and reestablishing the organization of the Church (Alma 45:20–22). However, some of the Nephites grew proud and rebelled against the Church. The leader of this group of dissenters was Amalickiah, who wanted to be king over the Nephites (Alma 45:23–24; 46:1–4).
Amalickiah was devious, thirsty, cold-hearted, and satanic.
Thus we see . . . the great wickedness one very wicked man can cause to take place among the
children of men. Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous’ sake. (Alma 46:8-10)
Contrast this description with that of Captain Moroni:
11 And Moroni was a astrong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect bunderstanding; 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 awelfare and safety of his people.
13 Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had asworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.
17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto aMoroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the bdevil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.
Moroni and Amalickiah both made oaths.
Moroni swore "to defend his people, and his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his ." (Alma 48:13)
Amalickiah, on the other hand, did curse God, and also Moroni, swearing with an oath that he would drink his blood; and this because Moroni had kept the commandments of God in preparing for the safety of his people. (49:27)
Looking at these men side by side it seems very clear who the Nephites should have followed. Yet, many of them were led away by the flattery of Amalickiah.
Alma 48
10 Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to adestroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of bliberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the crighteous’ sake.
This caused Captain Moroni to become angry.
12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—aIn memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.
13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his abreastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the btitle of liberty) and he cbowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of dChristians remain to possess the land—
When Moroni had finished praying,
he went forth among the people, waving the arent part of his garment in the air, that all might see the writing which he had written upon the rent part, and crying with a loud voice, saying:
20 Behold, whosoever will maintain this title upon the land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lord, and aenter into a covenant that they will bmaintain their rights, and their religion, that the Lord God may bless them.
21 And it came to pass that when Moroni had proclaimed these words, behold, the people came running atogether with their armor girded about their loins, brending their garments in token, or as a ccovenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God
What behaviors in our own lives indicate our willingness to never forsake the Lord our God? Are our freedoms sufficiently important to us that we would figuratively “come running” in support of righteous laws or proposals wherever and whenever they appear in our community or nation?
3. Amalickiah becomes king of the Lamanites and incites them to battle
When Moroni had rallied the people together again, Amalickiah saw that his plans of becoming the Nephite king would not come to fruition. He gathered those who would follow him and departed into the land of Nephi ( which was populated by the Lamanites).
Knowing that Amalickiah would stir the Lamanites up to anger, and bring them to war against the Nephites again, Moroni went after him in order to put him to death. Amalickiah, however, escaped and did just as Moroni feared.
The king of the Lamanites sent out a proclamation to his people that they should prepare to go to war against the Nephites. However, most of them would not obey the king. They had agreed not to go into battle with the Nephites and feared for their lives. So, the king put Amalickiah in charge of the part of the army that was obedient to him and compelled him to go out and persuade the others to take up arms.
Amalickiah’s desire to be king still remained. If he could not be king of the Nephites, then, he would be king of the Lamanites. So, he layed out a cunning plan to accomplish his desire.
He camped his army in the valley of Antipus, and sent his men to convince the leader of those Lamanites who had gathered on the mount of Antipus, to come down to talk with him. It took 4 attempts and a promise from Amalickiah to Lehonti that he would surrender his entire army to him for Lehonti to agree to meet with Amalickiah.
The agreement was that if Lehonti took command of the army, he would make Amalickiah second in command. This Lehonti did, which was according to Amalickiah’s ultimate plan. Shortly after this, Amalickiah had his servants slowly poison Lehonti until he died. Then, Amalickiah became leader over the whole army.
He marched the army back to the king. When the king came out to meet him, Amalickiah caused that his servants go forth and bow themselves before the King as if to reverence him. As the king held out his hand, the servant stabbed him in the heart. Amalickiah then marches the remainder of the army to the spot where the meeting was to take place and they find the king dead. He blames the murder on the King’s servants and sends the army to pursue them. Amalickiah then takes over the throne and becomes King over the Lamanites.
It is interesting to note that some of the strongest opponents of the Nephites had once been Nephites themselves. including the Amalekites (Alma 24:29–30; 43:6–7), the Zoramites (Alma 30:59; 31:8–11; 43:4), Amalickiah (Alma 46:1–7), Morianton (Alma 50:26, 35), and Amalickiah’s brother Ammoron (Alma 52:3).
Why do those who have left the Church often fight so strongly against it?
The Prophet Joseph Smith made the following statement to a man who wondered why those who had left the Church often fought so fiercely against it: “Before you joined this Church you stood on neutral ground. When the gospel was preached good and evil were set before you. You could choose either or neither. There were two opposite masters inviting you to serve them. When you joined this Church you enlisted to serve God. When you did that you left the neutral ground, and you never can get back on to it. Should you forsake the Master you enlisted to serve it will be by the instigation of the evil one, and you will follow his dictation and be his servant” (in “Recollections of the Prophet Joseph Smith,” Juvenile Instructor, 15 Aug. 1892, 492).
4. War continues between the Nephites and the Lamanites
Chapters 49-52 continue the account of the ongoing battles between the Nephites and the Lamanites. Similar lessons to those discussed in earlier chapters are learned here as well.
a. Be Prepared: The Nephites built walls to protect their cities from the Lamanites’ attacks (Alma 48:7–9; 49:2–4, 13, 18).
b. Be diligent:The Nephites continually strengthened their defenses (Alma 50:1–6).
c. Follow righteous leaders: The Nephites kept the commandments of God and followed their Church leaders (Alma 44:3–4; 49:30; 50:20–22).
d. Be Thankful: The Nephites thanked God for protecting them in battle (Alma 45:1; 49:28).
. The true cause of these Nephite/Lamanite wars is explained in
Alma 50:21.
And we see that these promises have been verified to the people of Nephi; for it has been their quarrelings and their contentions, yea, their ings, and their plunderings, their idolatry, their doms, and their abominations, which were among themselves, which brought upon them their wars and their destructions.
The point is reiterated ( and recorded by Mormon so that we might learn the lesson) in Alma 51:16. When the kingmen rebelled against the chief judge and sought to overthrow the constitutional form of government (see Alma 51), Moroni immediately turned his attention to them.
For it was his first care to put an end to such contentions and dissensions among the people; for
behold, this had been hitherto a cause of all their destruction. And it came to pass that it was
granted according to the voice of the people. (Alma 51:16)
His first care was to cleanse the inner vessel, for he knew that the iniquity of the Lamanites was not the cause of the destruction among the Nephites. Rather, it was the iniquity of the Nephites.
The lesson should be crystal clear. If Lucifer is successful in making our lives miserable, it is not because he is corrupt and evil, but because we are.
For six thousand years the campaign for the souls of men has been waged by Satan with unabated fury. The widespread debauchery, idolatry, contention, bloodshed, suffering, and sorrow under which the inhabitants of the earth have groaned through the centuries testify to the fact that Satan has always wielded a potent influence.
As the works of the flesh have universal application, so likewise does the gospel of peace. If one man lives it, he has peace within himself. If two men live it, they each have peace within themselves and with each other. If the citizens live it, the nation has domestic peace. When there are enough nations enjoying the fruit of the Spirit to control world affairs, then, and only then, will the war-drums throb no longer, and the battle flags be furl’d in the Parliament of Man, the Federation of the World. (See Alfred Lord Tennyson, “Locksley Hall.” The Complete Poetical Works of Tennyson, ed. W. J. Rolfe, Boston: Houghton-Mifflin Co., 1898, p. 93, lines 27–28.)
Marion G. Romney, “The Price of Peace,” Ensign, Oct 1983, 3
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Give Ear to My Words
Give Ear to My Words
Alma 36-39
These chapters contain Alma’s counsel to his sons Helaman, Shiblon and Corianton. Although they were meant to personally benefit these men, Alma’s words hold great value to us as Latter Day Saints as well.
Under what circumstances is Alma offering this counsel?
In Chapter 35, we find Alma, Shiblon and Corianton in the land of the Zoramites( also called Antionum) preaching the gospel. The more popular part of the Zoramites wouldn’t have anything to do with them, but the others did. They were divided into two groups.
When the missionaries had finished their preaching to the Zoramites, they departed into the land Jershon . After their departure, the popular Zoramites were angry because of the word, for id destroyed their craft ( priestcraft). The priests and rulers gathered all the people together and started inquiring who believed in the words of Alma. Once they discovered who the converts were, and they were many, they cast them out of the land. This group went to Jershon, a neighboring city to find refuge. There Alma and his brethren ministered unto them.
This did not make the chief ruler of the Zoramites happy. He threatened the people of Ammon- he wanted them to cast out the Zoramite converts. “the people of Ammon did not fear their words; therefore they did not cast them out, but they did receive all the poor of the Zoramites that came over unto them; and they did anourish them, and did clothe them, and did give unto them lands for their inheritance; and they did administer unto them according to their wants” (Alma 35:8)
Now the Zoramites are very angry. They do exactly what Alma had feared all along: they began to mix with the Lamanites and stir them up to anger against the people of Ammon.
Why was this a fear of Alma’s?
This sends us into a little geography lesson: The Zoramites in Antionum were located on top, the Lamanites on the bottom and Jershon in the middle. Alma didn’t want the Zoramites to get together with the Lamanites and make a squeeze-play on the Ammonites in Jershon. Yet, that is exactly what happened. Tactically speaking, this is a very dangerous situation for the Ammonites to be in. Alma’s missionary efforts to the Zoramites were an attempt to strengthen their political position in Antionum. Remember, the preaching of the word had a greater effect on the people than did the sword.
Well, now we are in a big mess. The Lamanites are making preparations for war. The people of Jershon begin clearing out to make way for the Nephite armies to come in.
Alma 35:14-16
14 And Alma, and Ammon, and their brethren, and also the atwo sons of Alma returned to the land of Zarahemla, after having been instruments in the hands of God of bringing bmany of the cZoramites to repentance; and as many as were brought to repentance were driven out of their land; but they have lands for their inheritance in the land of Jershon, and they have taken up arms to defend themselves, and their wives, and children, and their lands.
15 Now Alma, being agrieved for the iniquity of his people, yea for the wars, and the bloodsheds, and the contentions which were among them; and having been to declare the word, or sent to declare the word, among all the people in every city; and seeing that the hearts of the people began to wax hard, and that they began to be boffended because of the strictness of the word, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.
16 Therefore, he caused that his sons should be gathered together, that he might give unto them every one his acharge, separately, concerning the things pertaining unto righteousness. And we have an account of his commandments, which he gave unto them according to his own record.
Alma begins by speaking to Helaman. What is the first thing he says to him?
1. Keep the Commandments
Alma 36
1 My ason, give ear to my words; for I swear unto you, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land
This is council that is given several times to Helaman in these chapters and also later to his son Shiblon. It is also given throughout the Book of Mormon by several other prophets. Why is this principle so important that Mormon would include it multiple times?
Mormon had the advantage of the entire collection of written records of his people. He has not only read the scenerio of destruction from disobedience many times, but, he also witnesses it first hand in his day. It is a repetitive cycle. Mormon saw our day. He clearly thought this was important to mention. We need to heed the warning.
As we see problems in our nation and government, what should we do? KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS! In this there is safety and peace.
2. Learn from the past
How many times as parents have you tried to save your children from making the same mistakes you have made in your life? Or, tried to steer them clear of what you know will ultimately be very painful experiences?
That is what Alma is doing here for Helaman. Alma recounts the days when he persecuted the church and sought to destroy it. He relates his conversion process contrasting the inexpressible horror he felt while remembering his sins to the exquisite and sweet joy that was his when he realized the role the Savior plays in each of our lives in saving us from the everlasting chains of sin.
The lesson learned here need not stop at Helaman. Pres. Ezra Taft Benson said, “The object of studying the Book of Mormon is to learn from the experiences of those who have gone before us that blessings come by keeping the commandments of God and that tragedy is the result of disobedience. By learning from the lessons of the past, mistakes need not be repeated in our own lives." (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p51)
3. Missionary Work is Important
Alma 35
24 Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto arepentance; that I might bring them to btaste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be cborn of God, and be dfilled with the Holy Ghost.
25 Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth agive me exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my blabors;
We have probably all seen the joy that fills new converts lives, what about those who are instrumental in their conversion?
Why does it fill you with great joy when you see others enter into the church through your efforts?
The Lord’s work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Ours is a joint effort in that great plan. Our spirits feel the kinship we shared in the pre-existence and rejoice when our spirit brothers and sisters join with us again on that road that leads us back home.
4. The Scriptures are Essential
Alma 37
8 And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, athey have benlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the cknowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls.
9 Yea, I say unto you, awere it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have bconvinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their cwords brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer.
10 And who knoweth but what they will be the ameans of bringing many thousands of them, yea, and also many thousands of our bstiffnecked brethren, the Nephites, who are now hardening their hearts in sin and iniquities, to the knowledge of their Redeemer?
11 Now these mysteries are not yet fully made known unto me; therefore I shall forbear.
12 And it may suffice if I only say they are preserved for a awise purpose, which purpose is known unto God; for he doth bcounsel in wisdom over all his works, and his paths are straight, and his course is cone eternal round.
Why were the scriptures valuable to Alma?
§ It is one of the means that the Lord uses to bring about his eternal purposes.
§ They confound the wise.
§ Brings salvation to many souls.
§ They enlarge the memory of the people.
§ Convince the wicked of the error of their ways.
§ Provide a knowledge of God.
§ Provide a knowledge of the commandments
How are the scriptures valuable to us in the latter days?
Pres. Robert D. Hales, “Brothers and sisters, I testify that the scriptures have been “kept and preserved [for us] by the hand of the Lord … for a wise purpose in him.”9 Lehi prophesied, “These plates of brass should never perish; neither should they be dimmed any more by time.”10 The Lord covenanted with Enos to preserve and bring forth the scriptures “in his … due time.”11 Of the Book of Mormon, the prophet Moroni recorded, it was “written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed.”12 The scriptures which we have give prophecies and promises, and they have been fulfilled in our day.
What a glorious blessing! For when we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures; for His words are spoken through His prophets. He will then teach us as we listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
If you have not heard His voice speaking to you lately, return with new eyes and new ears to the scriptures. They are our spiritual lifeline. Behind the darkness of the Iron Curtain, the Saints survived because they heard His voice through the scriptures. In other parts of the world, when members couldn’t attend Church for a time, they continued to worship God because they heard His voice through the scriptures. Throughout all the wars of the past century and the conflicts that rage today, Latter-day Saints survive because they hear His voice through the scriptures. For the Lord has said, “The scriptures shall be given … to the salvation of mine own elect; for they will hear my voice, and shall see me, and shall not be asleep, and shall abide the day of my coming; for they shall be purified, even as I am pure.”13 (Robert D. Hales, “Holy Scriptures: The Power of God unto Our Salvation,” Liahona, Nov 2006, 24–27)
5. What to teach the people
As Alma’s oldest son, Helaman will someday take over leadership responsibilities. Alma instructs him of the most important things to teach the people:
Alma 37
32 And now, my son, remember the words which I have spoken unto you; trust not those secret plans unto this people, but teach them an everlasting ahatred against sin and iniquity.
33 aPreach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be bmeek and lowly in heart; teach them to cwithstand every dtemptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.
34 Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find arest to their souls.
35 O, remember, my son, and alearn bwisdom in thy cyouth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.
36 Yea, and acry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy bdoings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy cthoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
37 aCounsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for bgood; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the cmorning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
To me, this council could not have been more inspired knowing that Helaman will soon take charge of the 2000 sons of the Ammonites in defending the Nephites. These high standards coupled with the faith they learned at their mother’s knees no doubt had everything to do with their survival.
In Chapter 38 We learn of Alma’s counsel to Shiblon.
What kind of man was Shiblon?
2 And now, my son, I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your asteadiness and your faithfulness unto God; for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your God, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his commandments; for blessed is he that bendureth to the end.
3 I say unto you, my son, that I have had great joy in thee already, because of thy faithfulness and thy diligence, and thy patience and thy long-suffering among the people of the aZoramites.
4 For I know that thou wast in bonds; yea, and I also know that thou wast stoned for the word’s sake; and thou didst bear all these things with apatience because the Lord was bwith thee; and now thou knowest that the Lord did deliver thee.
Alma is pleased with his son and praises him. He also admonishes Shiblon to keep the commandments, He summarizes his conversion story and bears testimony of Jesus Christ.
Shiblon has been a great missionary. The remainder of Alma’s counsel is a reminder to Shiblon how to conduct himself as he continues to preach the gospel.
1. Be diligent and temperate in all things (v10).
Alma knew that moderation and Diligence in all things brings success and happiness. Pres. Dieter Uchdorf in latter days has counseled, “Are we diligent in living the commandments of God, without running beyond our strength? Or are we just leisurely strolling along? Are we using our time, talents, and means wisely? Are we focused on the things which matter most? Are we following the inspired counsel of the prophets?
One example of great importance for humanity is strengthening our own families. The principle of family home evening was given to us in 1915. President McKay reminded parents again in 1964 that “no other success can compensate for failure in the home.”2 In 1995 the prophets of our day called upon all the world to strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.3 And in 1999 the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles lovingly stated: “We counsel parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities. However worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform.”4 (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Heeding the Voice of the Prophets,” Ensign, Jul 2008, 4–7 )
2. See that ye are not lifted up unto pride" (v11). Do not boast in your own wisdom or strength.
Pres. Ezra Taft Benson spent a great deal of his ministry warning the latter day saints of the perils of pride, “The proud make every man their adversary by pitting their intellects, opinions, works, wealth, talents, or any other worldly measuring device against others. In the words of C. S. Lewis: “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. … It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition has gone, pride has gone.” (Mere Christianity, New York: Macmillan, 1952, pp. 109–10.)
3. "Use boldness, but not overbearance" (v12).
Pres. Dallin H. Oaks said, “We live in a time when some misrepresent the beliefs of those they call Mormons and even revile us because of them. When we encounter such misrepresentations, we have a duty to speak out to clarify our doctrine and what we believe. We should be the ones to state our beliefs rather than allowing others the final word in misrepresenting them. This calls for testimony, which can be expressed privately to an acquaintance or publicly in a small or large meeting. As we testify of the truth we know, we should faithfully follow the caution to speak “in mildness and in meekness” (D&C 38:41). We should never be overbearing, shrill, or reviling. As the Apostle Paul taught, we should speak the truth in love (see Ephesians 4:15). Anyone can disagree with our personal testimony, but no one can refute it.
4. "...bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love" (v12). Elder Neal A. Maxwell: "Whereas the natural man vents his anger, the men and women of Christ are 'not easily provoked' (1 Corinthians 13:5). Whereas the natural man is filled with greed, the men and women of Christ 'seeketh not [their] own' (1 Corinthians 13:5). Whereas the natural man seldom denies himself worldly pleasures, the men and women of Christ seek to bridle all their passions (see Alma 38:12)." (Men and Women of Christ, p14)
5. See that ye refrain from idleness (v12).
· Spencer W. Kimball quoted a judge and his observation about youth: "As I see young people of what I consider an employable age sitting around drive-ins or malt shops, on park benches, or at the beaches, cruising around in cars or hanging around on the street corners at all hours of the day and the night, I am amazed at their ability to stay out of trouble as well as they do . . . idleness is a prime factor in most juvenile misbehavior." (Conference Report, Oct 1963)
§ "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors" (Alma 34:32). How can we possibly justify idleness when there is such important work to do.
6. Do not pray as the Zoramites do.
"...but rather say: O Lord, forgive my unworthiness, and remember my brethren in mercy--yea, acknowledge
Lastly Alma addresses his son Corianton. What kind of man is Corianton?
Corianton was a faithful member of the church with a strong testimony. Alma chose him, along with other powerful missionaries, to accompany him to Antionum to preach the gospel to the Zoramites.
However, Corianton made some poor choices on his mission. He forsook the ministry and went out among the borders of the Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel.
What behaviors led Corianton on this road to immorality?
1. Alma 39:2 - Now this is what I have against thee; thou didst go on unto boasting in thy strength and thy wisdom.
This is not so different from what happens to many of us today. We have been taught what is right and have strong values yet, we often put ourselves in questionable situations thinking, “ I can handle it – I’m strong enough to resist the temptation.” We, like Corianton, sometimes have to learn the hard way that NONE of us are strong enough ON OUR OWN to resist the enticements of the Devil. HE is cunning, he knows our weaknesses and goes right for the jugular!
So, how do we resist? Alma tells us:
Alma 13:28
"...humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering." (Alma 13:28)
2. Alma 39:3 -thou didst forsake the ministry
Corianton did not follow the mission rules. He lost his focus . Had he been where he was supposed to be, doing what he was supposed to be doing, he would not have been led away.
3. Alma 39:3-4 - [he went] over into the land of Siron among the borders of the Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel. Yea, she did steal away the hearts of many; but this was no excuse for thee, my son. Thou shouldst have tended to the ministry wherewith thou wast entrusted
He chose new friends poorly. He knew what Isabel was and chose to pursue her anyway. He gave way to worldly pressures.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell, “Do not company with fornicators—not because you are too good for them but, as C.S. Lewis wrote, because you are not good enough. Remember that bad situations can wear down even good people. Joseph had both good sense and good legs in fleeing from Potiphar’s wife” (Neal A. Maxwell, “The Stern but Sweet Seventh Commandment,” New Era, Jun 1979, 36)
Alma 39
5 Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most aabominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent bblood or denying the Holy Ghost?
6 For behold, if ye adeny the Holy Ghost when it once has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny it, behold, this is a sin which is bunpardonable; yea, and whosoever murdereth against the light and knowledge of God, it is not easy for him to obtain cforgiveness; yea, I say unto you, my son, that it is not easy for him to obtain a forgiveness.
Why are sexual transgressions so serious in nature?
Jeffrey R. Holland, “By assigning such seriousness to a physical appetite so universally bestowed, what is God trying to tell us about its place in His plan for all men and women? I submit to you He is doing precisely that—commenting about the very plan of life itself. Clearly among His greatest concerns regarding mortality are how one gets into this world and how one gets out of it. He has set very strict limits in these matters.
Fortunately, in the case of how life is terminated, most seem to be quite responsible. But in the significance of giving life, we sometimes find near-criminal irresponsibility. May I offer three reasons why this is an issue of such magnitude and consequence in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
· The body is an essential part of the soul. This distinctive and very important Latter-day Saint doctrine underscores why sexual sin is so serious. We declare that one who uses the God-given body of another without divine sanction abuses the very soul of that individual, abuses the central purpose and processes of life, “the very key” 7 to life, as President Boyd K. Packer once called it. In exploiting the body of another—which means exploiting his or her soul—one desecrates the Atonement of Christ, which saved that soul and which makes possible the gift of eternal life. And when one mocks the Son of Righteousness, one steps into a realm of heat hotter and holier than the noonday sun. You cannot do so and not be burned.
Please, never say: “Who does it hurt? Why not a little freedom? I can transgress now and repent later.” Please don’t be so foolish and so cruel. You cannot with impunity “crucify Christ afresh.” 8 “Flee fornication,” 9 Paul cries, and flee “anything like unto it,” 10 the Doctrine and Covenants adds. Why? Well, for one reason because of the incalculable suffering in both body and spirit endured by the Savior of the world so that we could flee. 11 We owe Him something for that. Indeed, we owe Him everything for that. “Ye are not your own,” Paul says. “Ye [have been] bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 12 In sexual transgression the soul is at stake—the body and the spirit.
· Secondly, may I stress that human intimacy is reserved for a married couple because it is the ultimate symbol of total union, a totality and a union ordained and defined by God. From the Garden of Eden onward, marriage was intended to mean the complete merger of a man and a woman—their hearts, hopes, lives, love, family, future, everything. Adam said of Eve that she was bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh, and that they were to be “one flesh” in their life together. 13 This is a union of such completeness that we use the word seal to convey its eternal promise. The Prophet Joseph Smith once said we perhaps could render such a sacred bond as being “welded” 14 one to another.
But such a total union, such an unyielding commitment between a man and a woman, can only come with the proximity and permanence afforded in a marriage covenant, with solemn promises and the pledge of all they possess—their very hearts and minds, all their days and all their dreams.
Can you see the moral schizophrenia that comes from pretending you are one, pretending you have made solemn promises before God, sharing the physical symbols and the physical intimacy of your counterfeit union but then fleeing, retreating, severing all such other aspects of what was meant to be a total obligation?
· Thirdly, may I say that physical intimacy is not only a symbolic union between a husband and a wife—the very uniting of their souls—but it is also symbolic of a shared relationship between them and their Father in Heaven. He is immortal and perfect. We are mortal and imperfect. Nevertheless we seek ways even in mortality whereby we can unite with Him spiritually. In so doing we gain some access to both the grace and the majesty of His power. Those special moments include kneeling at a marriage altar in the house of the Lord, blessing a newborn baby, baptizing and confirming a new member of the Church, partaking of the emblems of the Lord’s Supper, and so forth.
These are moments when we quite literally unite our will with God’s will, our spirit with His spirit, where communion through the veil becomes very real. At such moments we not only acknowledge His divinity but we quite literally take something of that divinity to ourselves. One aspect of that divinity given to virtually all men and women is the use of His power to create a human body, that wonder of all wonders, a genetically and spiritually unique being never before seen in the history of the world and never to be duplicated again in all the ages of eternity. A child, your child—with eyes and ears and fingers and toes and a future of unspeakable grandeur.
Probably only a parent who has held that newborn infant in his or her arms understands the wonder of which I speak. Suffice it to say that of all the titles God has chosen for Himself, Father is the one He favors most, and creation is His watchword—especially human creation, creation in His image. You and I have been given something of that godliness, but under the most serious and sacred of restrictions. The only control placed on us is self-control—self-control born of respect for the divine sacramental power this gift represents (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Personal Purity,” Ensign, Nov 1998, 75)
So, could we argue that if the sexual sin is something that cannot result in the creation of a new life, that it is somehow less serious or less harmful?
No! the consequences of these acts are just as severe to our spirit.
· Sexual immorality is also dangerous because it is so desensitizing. Lasciviousness can, ironically, move people who wrongly celebrate their capacity to feel to a point where they lose their capacity to feel! They become, in the words of three different prophets in three different dispensations, “past feeling” (see 1 Ne. 17:45; Eph. 4:19; Moro. 9:20).
· Unchastity also impacts severely on others, suggesting wrongly to them, among other things, that everyone is, after all, the same; appetites will prevail and, therefore, one might as well join the march of the lemmings. It is too bad that those who are immoral are not required to submit an environmental impact statement before proceeding. The father who somehow gets the strange idea that his adultery is uniquely justified does not fully gauge the impact of that act upon his wife and children. His letting go takes others with him.
· Our latterday prophets have extensively spoken out against the evils of pornography and the irreparable damage it causes in the lives of those who view it and in the lives of their loved ones.
We are living in the perilous days that Paul described when he warned about our day as one when “men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, .. false accusers, .. despisers of those that are good, .. heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (2 Tim. 3:1–4).
Penicillin instead of abstinence; pills instead of children; partners instead of marriage; childbirth with unwed parents; and old perversions masquerading as new thrills.
If we have chosen this path, is there no way back? No hope?
Unlike the sin against the holy ghost, and the sin of murder, there is forgiveness for sexual sins.
Alma gives Corianton the pattern for repentance
Know the seriousness of your sin- recognize that you are doing something wrong and allow the guilt to motivate you to repent.
“Cross Yourself” –turn away from your evil inclinations, deny yourself of worldly lusts, forsake worldly paths, chart and navigate a path to righteousness.
Refrain from further iniquities
Return to the people and acknowledge your sinful practices- our sins do not only affect us, as the devil would have us selfishly believe. Because of Corianton’s behavior,the people of Antionum would not listen to the words of his father Alma.
Alma 39:11
Behold, O my son, how great ainiquity ye brought upon the bZoramites; for when they saw your cconduct they would not believe in my words.
Alma once did the same thing as Corianton. His experiences as a young man and his journey back into the church prepared him to deal with Corianton’s struggles. He counsels Corianton with love, encouraging him to do the thing that will bring him the most happiness: seek for repentance and allow the atonement to work in your life.
You parents of the willful and the wayward: Don’t give them up. Don’t cast them off. They are not utterly lost. The shepherd will find his sheep. They were his before they were yours – long before he entrusted them to your care; and you cannot begin to love them as he loves them. They have but strayed in ignorance from the Path of Right, and God is merciful to ignorance. Only the fullness of knowledge brings the fullness of accountability. Our Heavenly Father is far more merciful, infinitely more charitable, than even the best of his servants, and the Everlasting Gospel is mightier in power to save than our narrow finite minds can omprehend. Orson F. Whitney, CR, Apr, 1929, p.10. I feel that the Lord will give that punishment which is the very least that our transgression will justify…I believe that when it comes to making the rewards for our good conduct, he will give the maximum that is
possible to give. J. Rueben Clark, Jr., Address at BYU, May 3, 1955.)
Alma 36-39
These chapters contain Alma’s counsel to his sons Helaman, Shiblon and Corianton. Although they were meant to personally benefit these men, Alma’s words hold great value to us as Latter Day Saints as well.
Under what circumstances is Alma offering this counsel?
In Chapter 35, we find Alma, Shiblon and Corianton in the land of the Zoramites( also called Antionum) preaching the gospel. The more popular part of the Zoramites wouldn’t have anything to do with them, but the others did. They were divided into two groups.
When the missionaries had finished their preaching to the Zoramites, they departed into the land Jershon . After their departure, the popular Zoramites were angry because of the word, for id destroyed their craft ( priestcraft). The priests and rulers gathered all the people together and started inquiring who believed in the words of Alma. Once they discovered who the converts were, and they were many, they cast them out of the land. This group went to Jershon, a neighboring city to find refuge. There Alma and his brethren ministered unto them.
This did not make the chief ruler of the Zoramites happy. He threatened the people of Ammon- he wanted them to cast out the Zoramite converts. “the people of Ammon did not fear their words; therefore they did not cast them out, but they did receive all the poor of the Zoramites that came over unto them; and they did anourish them, and did clothe them, and did give unto them lands for their inheritance; and they did administer unto them according to their wants” (Alma 35:8)
Now the Zoramites are very angry. They do exactly what Alma had feared all along: they began to mix with the Lamanites and stir them up to anger against the people of Ammon.
Why was this a fear of Alma’s?
This sends us into a little geography lesson: The Zoramites in Antionum were located on top, the Lamanites on the bottom and Jershon in the middle. Alma didn’t want the Zoramites to get together with the Lamanites and make a squeeze-play on the Ammonites in Jershon. Yet, that is exactly what happened. Tactically speaking, this is a very dangerous situation for the Ammonites to be in. Alma’s missionary efforts to the Zoramites were an attempt to strengthen their political position in Antionum. Remember, the preaching of the word had a greater effect on the people than did the sword.
Well, now we are in a big mess. The Lamanites are making preparations for war. The people of Jershon begin clearing out to make way for the Nephite armies to come in.
Alma 35:14-16
14 And Alma, and Ammon, and their brethren, and also the atwo sons of Alma returned to the land of Zarahemla, after having been instruments in the hands of God of bringing bmany of the cZoramites to repentance; and as many as were brought to repentance were driven out of their land; but they have lands for their inheritance in the land of Jershon, and they have taken up arms to defend themselves, and their wives, and children, and their lands.
15 Now Alma, being agrieved for the iniquity of his people, yea for the wars, and the bloodsheds, and the contentions which were among them; and having been to declare the word, or sent to declare the word, among all the people in every city; and seeing that the hearts of the people began to wax hard, and that they began to be boffended because of the strictness of the word, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.
16 Therefore, he caused that his sons should be gathered together, that he might give unto them every one his acharge, separately, concerning the things pertaining unto righteousness. And we have an account of his commandments, which he gave unto them according to his own record.
Alma begins by speaking to Helaman. What is the first thing he says to him?
1. Keep the Commandments
Alma 36
1 My ason, give ear to my words; for I swear unto you, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land
This is council that is given several times to Helaman in these chapters and also later to his son Shiblon. It is also given throughout the Book of Mormon by several other prophets. Why is this principle so important that Mormon would include it multiple times?
Mormon had the advantage of the entire collection of written records of his people. He has not only read the scenerio of destruction from disobedience many times, but, he also witnesses it first hand in his day. It is a repetitive cycle. Mormon saw our day. He clearly thought this was important to mention. We need to heed the warning.
As we see problems in our nation and government, what should we do? KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS! In this there is safety and peace.
2. Learn from the past
How many times as parents have you tried to save your children from making the same mistakes you have made in your life? Or, tried to steer them clear of what you know will ultimately be very painful experiences?
That is what Alma is doing here for Helaman. Alma recounts the days when he persecuted the church and sought to destroy it. He relates his conversion process contrasting the inexpressible horror he felt while remembering his sins to the exquisite and sweet joy that was his when he realized the role the Savior plays in each of our lives in saving us from the everlasting chains of sin.
The lesson learned here need not stop at Helaman. Pres. Ezra Taft Benson said, “The object of studying the Book of Mormon is to learn from the experiences of those who have gone before us that blessings come by keeping the commandments of God and that tragedy is the result of disobedience. By learning from the lessons of the past, mistakes need not be repeated in our own lives." (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p51)
3. Missionary Work is Important
Alma 35
24 Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto arepentance; that I might bring them to btaste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be cborn of God, and be dfilled with the Holy Ghost.
25 Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth agive me exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my blabors;
We have probably all seen the joy that fills new converts lives, what about those who are instrumental in their conversion?
Why does it fill you with great joy when you see others enter into the church through your efforts?
The Lord’s work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Ours is a joint effort in that great plan. Our spirits feel the kinship we shared in the pre-existence and rejoice when our spirit brothers and sisters join with us again on that road that leads us back home.
4. The Scriptures are Essential
Alma 37
8 And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, athey have benlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the cknowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls.
9 Yea, I say unto you, awere it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have bconvinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their cwords brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer.
10 And who knoweth but what they will be the ameans of bringing many thousands of them, yea, and also many thousands of our bstiffnecked brethren, the Nephites, who are now hardening their hearts in sin and iniquities, to the knowledge of their Redeemer?
11 Now these mysteries are not yet fully made known unto me; therefore I shall forbear.
12 And it may suffice if I only say they are preserved for a awise purpose, which purpose is known unto God; for he doth bcounsel in wisdom over all his works, and his paths are straight, and his course is cone eternal round.
Why were the scriptures valuable to Alma?
§ It is one of the means that the Lord uses to bring about his eternal purposes.
§ They confound the wise.
§ Brings salvation to many souls.
§ They enlarge the memory of the people.
§ Convince the wicked of the error of their ways.
§ Provide a knowledge of God.
§ Provide a knowledge of the commandments
How are the scriptures valuable to us in the latter days?
Pres. Robert D. Hales, “Brothers and sisters, I testify that the scriptures have been “kept and preserved [for us] by the hand of the Lord … for a wise purpose in him.”9 Lehi prophesied, “These plates of brass should never perish; neither should they be dimmed any more by time.”10 The Lord covenanted with Enos to preserve and bring forth the scriptures “in his … due time.”11 Of the Book of Mormon, the prophet Moroni recorded, it was “written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed.”12 The scriptures which we have give prophecies and promises, and they have been fulfilled in our day.
What a glorious blessing! For when we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures; for His words are spoken through His prophets. He will then teach us as we listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
If you have not heard His voice speaking to you lately, return with new eyes and new ears to the scriptures. They are our spiritual lifeline. Behind the darkness of the Iron Curtain, the Saints survived because they heard His voice through the scriptures. In other parts of the world, when members couldn’t attend Church for a time, they continued to worship God because they heard His voice through the scriptures. Throughout all the wars of the past century and the conflicts that rage today, Latter-day Saints survive because they hear His voice through the scriptures. For the Lord has said, “The scriptures shall be given … to the salvation of mine own elect; for they will hear my voice, and shall see me, and shall not be asleep, and shall abide the day of my coming; for they shall be purified, even as I am pure.”13 (Robert D. Hales, “Holy Scriptures: The Power of God unto Our Salvation,” Liahona, Nov 2006, 24–27)
5. What to teach the people
As Alma’s oldest son, Helaman will someday take over leadership responsibilities. Alma instructs him of the most important things to teach the people:
Alma 37
32 And now, my son, remember the words which I have spoken unto you; trust not those secret plans unto this people, but teach them an everlasting ahatred against sin and iniquity.
33 aPreach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be bmeek and lowly in heart; teach them to cwithstand every dtemptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.
34 Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find arest to their souls.
35 O, remember, my son, and alearn bwisdom in thy cyouth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.
36 Yea, and acry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy bdoings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy cthoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
37 aCounsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for bgood; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the cmorning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
To me, this council could not have been more inspired knowing that Helaman will soon take charge of the 2000 sons of the Ammonites in defending the Nephites. These high standards coupled with the faith they learned at their mother’s knees no doubt had everything to do with their survival.
In Chapter 38 We learn of Alma’s counsel to Shiblon.
What kind of man was Shiblon?
2 And now, my son, I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your asteadiness and your faithfulness unto God; for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your God, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his commandments; for blessed is he that bendureth to the end.
3 I say unto you, my son, that I have had great joy in thee already, because of thy faithfulness and thy diligence, and thy patience and thy long-suffering among the people of the aZoramites.
4 For I know that thou wast in bonds; yea, and I also know that thou wast stoned for the word’s sake; and thou didst bear all these things with apatience because the Lord was bwith thee; and now thou knowest that the Lord did deliver thee.
Alma is pleased with his son and praises him. He also admonishes Shiblon to keep the commandments, He summarizes his conversion story and bears testimony of Jesus Christ.
Shiblon has been a great missionary. The remainder of Alma’s counsel is a reminder to Shiblon how to conduct himself as he continues to preach the gospel.
1. Be diligent and temperate in all things (v10).
Alma knew that moderation and Diligence in all things brings success and happiness. Pres. Dieter Uchdorf in latter days has counseled, “Are we diligent in living the commandments of God, without running beyond our strength? Or are we just leisurely strolling along? Are we using our time, talents, and means wisely? Are we focused on the things which matter most? Are we following the inspired counsel of the prophets?
One example of great importance for humanity is strengthening our own families. The principle of family home evening was given to us in 1915. President McKay reminded parents again in 1964 that “no other success can compensate for failure in the home.”2 In 1995 the prophets of our day called upon all the world to strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.3 And in 1999 the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles lovingly stated: “We counsel parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities. However worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform.”4 (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Heeding the Voice of the Prophets,” Ensign, Jul 2008, 4–7 )
2. See that ye are not lifted up unto pride" (v11). Do not boast in your own wisdom or strength.
Pres. Ezra Taft Benson spent a great deal of his ministry warning the latter day saints of the perils of pride, “The proud make every man their adversary by pitting their intellects, opinions, works, wealth, talents, or any other worldly measuring device against others. In the words of C. S. Lewis: “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. … It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition has gone, pride has gone.” (Mere Christianity, New York: Macmillan, 1952, pp. 109–10.)
3. "Use boldness, but not overbearance" (v12).
Pres. Dallin H. Oaks said, “We live in a time when some misrepresent the beliefs of those they call Mormons and even revile us because of them. When we encounter such misrepresentations, we have a duty to speak out to clarify our doctrine and what we believe. We should be the ones to state our beliefs rather than allowing others the final word in misrepresenting them. This calls for testimony, which can be expressed privately to an acquaintance or publicly in a small or large meeting. As we testify of the truth we know, we should faithfully follow the caution to speak “in mildness and in meekness” (D&C 38:41). We should never be overbearing, shrill, or reviling. As the Apostle Paul taught, we should speak the truth in love (see Ephesians 4:15). Anyone can disagree with our personal testimony, but no one can refute it.
4. "...bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love" (v12). Elder Neal A. Maxwell: "Whereas the natural man vents his anger, the men and women of Christ are 'not easily provoked' (1 Corinthians 13:5). Whereas the natural man is filled with greed, the men and women of Christ 'seeketh not [their] own' (1 Corinthians 13:5). Whereas the natural man seldom denies himself worldly pleasures, the men and women of Christ seek to bridle all their passions (see Alma 38:12)." (Men and Women of Christ, p14)
5. See that ye refrain from idleness (v12).
· Spencer W. Kimball quoted a judge and his observation about youth: "As I see young people of what I consider an employable age sitting around drive-ins or malt shops, on park benches, or at the beaches, cruising around in cars or hanging around on the street corners at all hours of the day and the night, I am amazed at their ability to stay out of trouble as well as they do . . . idleness is a prime factor in most juvenile misbehavior." (Conference Report, Oct 1963)
§ "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors" (Alma 34:32). How can we possibly justify idleness when there is such important work to do.
6. Do not pray as the Zoramites do.
"...but rather say: O Lord, forgive my unworthiness, and remember my brethren in mercy--yea, acknowledge
Lastly Alma addresses his son Corianton. What kind of man is Corianton?
Corianton was a faithful member of the church with a strong testimony. Alma chose him, along with other powerful missionaries, to accompany him to Antionum to preach the gospel to the Zoramites.
However, Corianton made some poor choices on his mission. He forsook the ministry and went out among the borders of the Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel.
What behaviors led Corianton on this road to immorality?
1. Alma 39:2 - Now this is what I have against thee; thou didst go on unto boasting in thy strength and thy wisdom.
This is not so different from what happens to many of us today. We have been taught what is right and have strong values yet, we often put ourselves in questionable situations thinking, “ I can handle it – I’m strong enough to resist the temptation.” We, like Corianton, sometimes have to learn the hard way that NONE of us are strong enough ON OUR OWN to resist the enticements of the Devil. HE is cunning, he knows our weaknesses and goes right for the jugular!
So, how do we resist? Alma tells us:
Alma 13:28
"...humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering." (Alma 13:28)
2. Alma 39:3 -thou didst forsake the ministry
Corianton did not follow the mission rules. He lost his focus . Had he been where he was supposed to be, doing what he was supposed to be doing, he would not have been led away.
3. Alma 39:3-4 - [he went] over into the land of Siron among the borders of the Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel. Yea, she did steal away the hearts of many; but this was no excuse for thee, my son. Thou shouldst have tended to the ministry wherewith thou wast entrusted
He chose new friends poorly. He knew what Isabel was and chose to pursue her anyway. He gave way to worldly pressures.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell, “Do not company with fornicators—not because you are too good for them but, as C.S. Lewis wrote, because you are not good enough. Remember that bad situations can wear down even good people. Joseph had both good sense and good legs in fleeing from Potiphar’s wife” (Neal A. Maxwell, “The Stern but Sweet Seventh Commandment,” New Era, Jun 1979, 36)
Alma 39
5 Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most aabominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent bblood or denying the Holy Ghost?
6 For behold, if ye adeny the Holy Ghost when it once has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny it, behold, this is a sin which is bunpardonable; yea, and whosoever murdereth against the light and knowledge of God, it is not easy for him to obtain cforgiveness; yea, I say unto you, my son, that it is not easy for him to obtain a forgiveness.
Why are sexual transgressions so serious in nature?
Jeffrey R. Holland, “By assigning such seriousness to a physical appetite so universally bestowed, what is God trying to tell us about its place in His plan for all men and women? I submit to you He is doing precisely that—commenting about the very plan of life itself. Clearly among His greatest concerns regarding mortality are how one gets into this world and how one gets out of it. He has set very strict limits in these matters.
Fortunately, in the case of how life is terminated, most seem to be quite responsible. But in the significance of giving life, we sometimes find near-criminal irresponsibility. May I offer three reasons why this is an issue of such magnitude and consequence in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
· The body is an essential part of the soul. This distinctive and very important Latter-day Saint doctrine underscores why sexual sin is so serious. We declare that one who uses the God-given body of another without divine sanction abuses the very soul of that individual, abuses the central purpose and processes of life, “the very key” 7 to life, as President Boyd K. Packer once called it. In exploiting the body of another—which means exploiting his or her soul—one desecrates the Atonement of Christ, which saved that soul and which makes possible the gift of eternal life. And when one mocks the Son of Righteousness, one steps into a realm of heat hotter and holier than the noonday sun. You cannot do so and not be burned.
Please, never say: “Who does it hurt? Why not a little freedom? I can transgress now and repent later.” Please don’t be so foolish and so cruel. You cannot with impunity “crucify Christ afresh.” 8 “Flee fornication,” 9 Paul cries, and flee “anything like unto it,” 10 the Doctrine and Covenants adds. Why? Well, for one reason because of the incalculable suffering in both body and spirit endured by the Savior of the world so that we could flee. 11 We owe Him something for that. Indeed, we owe Him everything for that. “Ye are not your own,” Paul says. “Ye [have been] bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 12 In sexual transgression the soul is at stake—the body and the spirit.
· Secondly, may I stress that human intimacy is reserved for a married couple because it is the ultimate symbol of total union, a totality and a union ordained and defined by God. From the Garden of Eden onward, marriage was intended to mean the complete merger of a man and a woman—their hearts, hopes, lives, love, family, future, everything. Adam said of Eve that she was bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh, and that they were to be “one flesh” in their life together. 13 This is a union of such completeness that we use the word seal to convey its eternal promise. The Prophet Joseph Smith once said we perhaps could render such a sacred bond as being “welded” 14 one to another.
But such a total union, such an unyielding commitment between a man and a woman, can only come with the proximity and permanence afforded in a marriage covenant, with solemn promises and the pledge of all they possess—their very hearts and minds, all their days and all their dreams.
Can you see the moral schizophrenia that comes from pretending you are one, pretending you have made solemn promises before God, sharing the physical symbols and the physical intimacy of your counterfeit union but then fleeing, retreating, severing all such other aspects of what was meant to be a total obligation?
· Thirdly, may I say that physical intimacy is not only a symbolic union between a husband and a wife—the very uniting of their souls—but it is also symbolic of a shared relationship between them and their Father in Heaven. He is immortal and perfect. We are mortal and imperfect. Nevertheless we seek ways even in mortality whereby we can unite with Him spiritually. In so doing we gain some access to both the grace and the majesty of His power. Those special moments include kneeling at a marriage altar in the house of the Lord, blessing a newborn baby, baptizing and confirming a new member of the Church, partaking of the emblems of the Lord’s Supper, and so forth.
These are moments when we quite literally unite our will with God’s will, our spirit with His spirit, where communion through the veil becomes very real. At such moments we not only acknowledge His divinity but we quite literally take something of that divinity to ourselves. One aspect of that divinity given to virtually all men and women is the use of His power to create a human body, that wonder of all wonders, a genetically and spiritually unique being never before seen in the history of the world and never to be duplicated again in all the ages of eternity. A child, your child—with eyes and ears and fingers and toes and a future of unspeakable grandeur.
Probably only a parent who has held that newborn infant in his or her arms understands the wonder of which I speak. Suffice it to say that of all the titles God has chosen for Himself, Father is the one He favors most, and creation is His watchword—especially human creation, creation in His image. You and I have been given something of that godliness, but under the most serious and sacred of restrictions. The only control placed on us is self-control—self-control born of respect for the divine sacramental power this gift represents (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Personal Purity,” Ensign, Nov 1998, 75)
So, could we argue that if the sexual sin is something that cannot result in the creation of a new life, that it is somehow less serious or less harmful?
No! the consequences of these acts are just as severe to our spirit.
· Sexual immorality is also dangerous because it is so desensitizing. Lasciviousness can, ironically, move people who wrongly celebrate their capacity to feel to a point where they lose their capacity to feel! They become, in the words of three different prophets in three different dispensations, “past feeling” (see 1 Ne. 17:45; Eph. 4:19; Moro. 9:20).
· Unchastity also impacts severely on others, suggesting wrongly to them, among other things, that everyone is, after all, the same; appetites will prevail and, therefore, one might as well join the march of the lemmings. It is too bad that those who are immoral are not required to submit an environmental impact statement before proceeding. The father who somehow gets the strange idea that his adultery is uniquely justified does not fully gauge the impact of that act upon his wife and children. His letting go takes others with him.
· Our latterday prophets have extensively spoken out against the evils of pornography and the irreparable damage it causes in the lives of those who view it and in the lives of their loved ones.
We are living in the perilous days that Paul described when he warned about our day as one when “men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, .. false accusers, .. despisers of those that are good, .. heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (2 Tim. 3:1–4).
Penicillin instead of abstinence; pills instead of children; partners instead of marriage; childbirth with unwed parents; and old perversions masquerading as new thrills.
If we have chosen this path, is there no way back? No hope?
Unlike the sin against the holy ghost, and the sin of murder, there is forgiveness for sexual sins.
Alma gives Corianton the pattern for repentance
Know the seriousness of your sin- recognize that you are doing something wrong and allow the guilt to motivate you to repent.
“Cross Yourself” –turn away from your evil inclinations, deny yourself of worldly lusts, forsake worldly paths, chart and navigate a path to righteousness.
Refrain from further iniquities
Return to the people and acknowledge your sinful practices- our sins do not only affect us, as the devil would have us selfishly believe. Because of Corianton’s behavior,the people of Antionum would not listen to the words of his father Alma.
Alma 39:11
Behold, O my son, how great ainiquity ye brought upon the bZoramites; for when they saw your cconduct they would not believe in my words.
Alma once did the same thing as Corianton. His experiences as a young man and his journey back into the church prepared him to deal with Corianton’s struggles. He counsels Corianton with love, encouraging him to do the thing that will bring him the most happiness: seek for repentance and allow the atonement to work in your life.
You parents of the willful and the wayward: Don’t give them up. Don’t cast them off. They are not utterly lost. The shepherd will find his sheep. They were his before they were yours – long before he entrusted them to your care; and you cannot begin to love them as he loves them. They have but strayed in ignorance from the Path of Right, and God is merciful to ignorance. Only the fullness of knowledge brings the fullness of accountability. Our Heavenly Father is far more merciful, infinitely more charitable, than even the best of his servants, and the Everlasting Gospel is mightier in power to save than our narrow finite minds can omprehend. Orson F. Whitney, CR, Apr, 1929, p.10. I feel that the Lord will give that punishment which is the very least that our transgression will justify…I believe that when it comes to making the rewards for our good conduct, he will give the maximum that is
possible to give. J. Rueben Clark, Jr., Address at BYU, May 3, 1955.)
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