"Astonished Beyond All Measure," Alma 31:12-20

Alma 31:12-20

I'm starting this reading with the following assumptions:

1. 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. 
2. Satan takes truth and alters it for his destructive or deceptive purposes. 
3. 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. 
4. 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 thee that thou has allowed us to be lifted up in our pride and to believe that we are better than others. Amen!"

Action Item for Today - Consider the tone of my own petitions to God.