A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 35:15-16 Two verses here at the end of a chapter give an interesting point of introspection in a prophet's life. Having been to every corner of the land, having had preached the gospel to every people, and then now observing that the general tendency of the people was to reject his works, Alma turns inward. The account states that Alma " caused that his sons should be gathered together, that he might give unto them every one his charge, separately, concerning the things pertaining unto righteousness." In our modern vernacular, this sounds like Alma is administering patriarchal blessings to his sons. This hits me at a time when I am being charged to strengthen my own family's spiritual foundations and considering the boundaries which I should set to achieve such blessings. The final line in verse 16 reads says, "And we have an account of his commandments, which he gave unto them according to his own record." (emphasis added)

Alma 35:5-14 Through deceptive means, those who rejected the words of Christ taught by Alma and his brethren actively sought to punish those of their community who did believe. They were cast out of the land of the Zoramites and were then received in the land of Jershon among the Ammonites. There they were openly received "and it came to pass that Alma and his brethren did minister unto them." ( vs. 7 ) This is a simple verse but so profoundly significant to me, in light of recent changes to the Church's ministering efforts. In verse 8 and 9 , the chief ruler of the Zoramites appears to be the one who is most agitated by the conversion of many of the people of his community. It is he who goes so far as to demand that the Ammonites cease to minister to those who are being cast out of his land. But such demands fall on deaf ears especially when it's among a people who have first hand experience with being refugees themselves: And now the people of Ammon did not ...

Alma 35:1-4 I brought to consider "the Power of the Word." (I'm not quoting anything in particular here, but this phrase has popped into my mind as I've started this study this morning. One of Christ's many names or titles is the Word. Consider the following:  In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son , and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God. ( JST John 1:1 ) In the previous chapter of Alma, Amulek gives this particular testimony: And we have beheld that the great question which is in your minds is whether the word be in the Son of God, or whether there shall be no Christ. And ye also beheld that my brother has proved unto you, in many instances, that the word is in Christ unto salvation . ( Alma 34:5-6 ) So if I go back to the beginning of Alma 35 , and I'm looking for the testimony of Christ, I find it by replacing the use of "word" with the name...

Alma 34:30-41 (This is for me. Don't take this lightly.) Verse 30 states: "...Seeing that the holy scriptures testify of these things, ye come forth and bring fruit unto repentance." Footnote on "fruit" takes me to Alma 13, a section on priesthood, which has weighed heavily upon my mind in the last day or two. In deed, the Spirit of the Lord has been upon me over the past week. Something has changed. ---- It has now been three days since I first started my study of these verses. Two nights ago, on a long drive into the big city, I finally took action on promptings to study the Priesthood. That study started with a review of verse 31, which reminded me: Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you. In regards to my duty and ob...

Alma 34:18-29 Pray and do good. I read through these passages this morning, at first, without any resolve to realign my course. Even though I am familiar with this  passage, my life is not quite in harmony with what Amulek teaches here: On Prayer: First off, Christ is mighty to save. And if we had any question about that fact, or if we needed a refresher on the scope of Christ's magnificence, the footnote on "mighty" points to Hebrews 7:24-25 : "But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." To be humbled and to continue in prayer onto him: There is no more pressing reminder from day to day than this one. Several statements that Amulek make point to praying over those things which sustain our livelihood. (Fields and flocks in their day.)  Pray for our family (household), morni...

Alma 34:1-17 Amulek picks up the baton in this chapter as a second witness to the people of the Zoramites. In the first seven verses he is summarizing what had already been shared by Alma. I appreciate this approach to teaching that is often employed by master teachers which helps me to understand the significance of what others have taught. Then in verse 8 , Amulek adds his testimony. Amulek talks of Christ both taking upon him the transgressions of his people, and atoning for the sins of the world. Why this distinction? The footnotes on transgression point to Redeemer. There is a distinction between those that want Christ to be their God, and those who do not. The reality is that Christ atoned for the sins of the world. Everyone. But only those who will accept him as their God does the real redemption come. The door is always opened. But only those who will walk through it and claim the Lord's redeeming help, to them is revealed the full scope of his redemptive power. It...