Good afternoon. I hope you are having a beautiful Sunday.
I jotted down some thoughts as I read Alma 5-7, and what scriptures stood out to me. Afterward, I read the Come Follow Me guidance for Alma 5-7, and came away with some additional thoughts. I will again focus on my own reactions though, and encourage you to read the manual for those additional opportunities to ponder.
He Knows Us
Alma 5:15-16 reminds us that we are fooling only ourselves when we choose to be dishonest with our fellow man. It says, "do ye imagine to yourselves that ye can lie unto the Lord in that day, and say - Lord, our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth - and that he will save you?" If we seek the praise of the world outwardly by pretending to be Christlike, but inside we are envying, and scheming, finding way to cheat and lie, then we are doing a disservice not just to the Lord but to ourselves. The Lord knows us and he wants us to benefit from the joy and blessings of following Christ.
The Gospel is for Everyone
Our God is a God of inclusion. There is no limit to how many of us can return to Him. He cries for every soul that is lost and will always look to bring the lost sheep back. I felt that reaffirmation as I read Alma 6:5-6, that "none were deprived of the privilege of assembling themselves together to hear the word of God" and that for those that chose not to listen, those who DID listen were not just asked, but commanded, to "gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God."
The Importance of Teaching
Alma dedicated his life to the Lord, and went so far as to step down from the judgement seat where he was doing much good, in order to preach among the people. As he explains this in Alma 7:1-2, it reminded me of Paul traveling throughout the lands in Corinthians and further, writing to his people and explaining why he couldn't get there sooner. Christ himself came to this earth and tirelessly traveled and taught.
An Eye Toward God
In Alma 7:7, as Alma preached in Gideon, he knew he was talking to good people that were diligently trying to follow the teachings of the church. Yet, he still felt it was important to remind them that with all they would see in the world, there was one thing that was most important. He said, "For behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they all - for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people."
2020 has been globally recognized and nationally recognized as a pretty tough year for various reasons. What peace it gives to remember to respond with all things with an eye toward preparing for the coming of Christ. How does that change your priorities as you look around your homes and your interactions with others? As you respond to a relentless barrage of difficult news?
In Alma 7:9, Alma reminds us, "Repent ye, and prepare the way of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth."
In Alma 7:15, he says, "Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism."
If we try our best, truly, sincerely, then we need not fear. We need to remember that God is with us.
Your Duty to God
In Alma 7:22, Alma talks about our duty to God, that we may "walk blameless before him." In the following two verses, he shares these attributes:
The list is a little long but if you really thing about, it's a very reasonable ask. Alma is saying - just be a good person!
And he return, he blesses us with the peace of God resting upon us, our houses, and our families.
Next Week's Scripture Study
We have been encouraged over and over to read our scriptures daily. This is not always easy to do, but I wanted to point out that the recommended scripture study for this week is Alma 8-12. Tomorrow is June 8. I challenge you for this week only to align your scripture reading for that day to match the chapter with the day. Read Alma 8 on June 8. Read Alma 9 on June 9. You will have finished this week's study by Friday, and that will give you Saturday and Sunday to summarize your thoughts on what you have learned and read.
I jotted down some thoughts as I read Alma 5-7, and what scriptures stood out to me. Afterward, I read the Come Follow Me guidance for Alma 5-7, and came away with some additional thoughts. I will again focus on my own reactions though, and encourage you to read the manual for those additional opportunities to ponder.
He Knows Us
Alma 5:15-16 reminds us that we are fooling only ourselves when we choose to be dishonest with our fellow man. It says, "do ye imagine to yourselves that ye can lie unto the Lord in that day, and say - Lord, our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth - and that he will save you?" If we seek the praise of the world outwardly by pretending to be Christlike, but inside we are envying, and scheming, finding way to cheat and lie, then we are doing a disservice not just to the Lord but to ourselves. The Lord knows us and he wants us to benefit from the joy and blessings of following Christ.
The Gospel is for Everyone
Our God is a God of inclusion. There is no limit to how many of us can return to Him. He cries for every soul that is lost and will always look to bring the lost sheep back. I felt that reaffirmation as I read Alma 6:5-6, that "none were deprived of the privilege of assembling themselves together to hear the word of God" and that for those that chose not to listen, those who DID listen were not just asked, but commanded, to "gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God."
The Importance of Teaching
Alma dedicated his life to the Lord, and went so far as to step down from the judgement seat where he was doing much good, in order to preach among the people. As he explains this in Alma 7:1-2, it reminded me of Paul traveling throughout the lands in Corinthians and further, writing to his people and explaining why he couldn't get there sooner. Christ himself came to this earth and tirelessly traveled and taught.
An Eye Toward God
In Alma 7:7, as Alma preached in Gideon, he knew he was talking to good people that were diligently trying to follow the teachings of the church. Yet, he still felt it was important to remind them that with all they would see in the world, there was one thing that was most important. He said, "For behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they all - for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people."
2020 has been globally recognized and nationally recognized as a pretty tough year for various reasons. What peace it gives to remember to respond with all things with an eye toward preparing for the coming of Christ. How does that change your priorities as you look around your homes and your interactions with others? As you respond to a relentless barrage of difficult news?
In Alma 7:9, Alma reminds us, "Repent ye, and prepare the way of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth."
In Alma 7:15, he says, "Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism."
If we try our best, truly, sincerely, then we need not fear. We need to remember that God is with us.
Your Duty to God
In Alma 7:22, Alma talks about our duty to God, that we may "walk blameless before him." In the following two verses, he shares these attributes:
- be humble
- be submissive and gentle
- easy to be entreated
- full of patience and long-suffering
- temperate in all things
- diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times
- asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal
- always returning thanks unto God
- have faith, hope, charity
- always about in good works
The list is a little long but if you really thing about, it's a very reasonable ask. Alma is saying - just be a good person!
And he return, he blesses us with the peace of God resting upon us, our houses, and our families.
Next Week's Scripture Study
We have been encouraged over and over to read our scriptures daily. This is not always easy to do, but I wanted to point out that the recommended scripture study for this week is Alma 8-12. Tomorrow is June 8. I challenge you for this week only to align your scripture reading for that day to match the chapter with the day. Read Alma 8 on June 8. Read Alma 9 on June 9. You will have finished this week's study by Friday, and that will give you Saturday and Sunday to summarize your thoughts on what you have learned and read.
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