A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 31:24-38 I've read through this once. I will comment tomorrow. Today's action item - Pray to perceive the reality of my situation with my own children and family members. Day Two: I'm struck by how torn up and afflicted Alma is because of the iniquities of the Zoramites. Verse 31 is the apex of Alma's petition. O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people. (emphasis added) Today's action item - Pray to find ways to help my children understand better that our stability is critically dependent upon our faith in Christ. Teach them that their success in life will be dependent upon their faith in Christ. Day Three: In the middle of Alma's prayer, amidst his request for comfort, in verse 32 he adds a request for success. O Lord, wilt tho...

Alma 31:21-23 In the last entry, I drew my own conclusion on what their prayers sounded like to me. Perhaps they were alittle unkind. Verses 21-23 give us the author's interpretation of their prayers. There are a couple of phrases that strike me in this, the author's, interpretation. Twice it is stated that the Zoramites did "give thanks after their manner." As conditions of their gratitude are explained, it reads that they did give thanks that they had not been "stolen away to believe in things to come, which they knew nothing about ." ( vs. 22 , emphasis added) This reads to me almost as an indictment of their perversion, that because of their gross wickedness which had kept them from a knowledge of the truth of things to come, they were giving thanks for their ignorance. Today's Action Item - Consider, or even reconsider, the value and weight of the knowledge that you have obtained through your own diligence and obedience to God's command...

Alma 31:12-20 I'm starting this reading with the following assumptions: The Book of Mormon is an ancient text written for a modern audience. This was written for my personal benefit in the period of world history where I presently reside.  Satan takes truth and alters it for his destructive or deceptive purposes.  The account of the Zoramites as found here is depicted according to the light of Christ and inspiration of the Holy Ghost that the author had at the time of making this account. That will bring particular insights that would not be otherwise available.  It is a typical practice that when reading from the Book of Mormon, that if I find no personal application, I ask myself "Where is Christ in these verses?" Perhaps here, as a false worship practice is being depicted, the correct question to ask would be "Where isn't Christ in these verses?" Let's start our discovery. In a sense, they had crafted a prayer that said: "God, we thank...

Alma 31:8-11 I cannot help but draw a direct  parallel between the situation among the Nephites with the people of Zoram and my own family dynamic at present. Indeed, these very words could have been penned about my own children: therefore they had had the word of God preached unto them. But they had fallen into great errors, for they would not observe to keep the commandments of God, and his statutes, according to the law of Moses. Neither would they observe the performances of the church, to continue in prayer and supplication to God daily, that they might not enter into temptation. This is both concerning and comforting. Comforting because, like the Zoramites, these children did have the word of God preached unto them. Concerning because, like the Zoramites, these children have fallen in to great error, and failed to keep the commandments of God and the performances of the Church. Today's Action Item: - Continue to work on a plan to have the Gospel of Christ preached (t...

Alma 31:6-7 Alma, in his preparations to preach unto the Zoramites, assembles a dream team of missionaries to accompany him: Ammon, Aaron, Omni, Amulek, and Zeezrom. Six very powerful and effective ministers of the gospel of Christ embark on this errand. Alma also does something else in his preparations to go preach. He brings with him two of his sons to preach unto the people: Shiblon and Corianton. Previously, I might have look at this as favoritism. Now, as I struggle with my own children, I know exactly why Alma has these sons of his in his company. Today's Action Items: - No one is a lone maverick in the Lord's work. Don't do the work of the Lord alone. - Find ways for your family members to contribute to the Lord's work.

Alma 31:1-5 I am finding a great personal parallel between the thoughts of Alma toward the Zoramites (who once were Nephites) and my own personal family dynamic with my older children (who once also were active in Church activities). This loss of my children from church activity has been the source of sorrow for me. Verse 5 is a powerful reminder of priorities and purpose. "The preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just..." Today's Action Items: Allow myself to feel sorrow for the loss of my children. Understand that I can do something to change my situation.  Pray for power to know what to do next.