A Study of the Book of Mormon

 Alma 38:13-15 Three simple verses at the end of this chapter that teach me how to pray and be humble. It seems likes such a small set of instructions, especially compared to what Alma gave to Helaman, but I find the points that he chooses to emphasis here, extremely important in teaching prayer and one's proper attitude towards prayer. None of us really have the advantage before God. (That's not to say that he that keeps the commandments, and doeth the will of the Father, isn't approved of Him.) But there is this simple issue of humility that is required of all men when they approach the throne of the Almighty. Thus Alma counsels Shiblon: Do not say: O God, I thank thee that we are better than our brethren; but rather say: O Lord, forgive my unworthiness, and remember my brethren in mercy—yea, acknowledge your unworthiness before God at all times. ( vs.14 ) Christ taught similarly: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a public...

Alma 38:7-12 Alma counsels Shiblon to "bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love." ( vs. 12 ) Not only is this a key insight to happy living, but this is a significant explanation as to why commandments, and why obedience matters. Being passionate about something is good, being driving and motivated to accomplish good works is important, but being filled with love, that is best. In yesterday's study, we established how spiritual knowledge is a gift of God. In today's readings though, there is agency front and center as Alma explains that "never, until I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I receive a remission of my sins." ( vs. 8 ) It strikes me as significant that though God's grace is a gift given, it means nothing to us until we actively turn to receive it. We still have to choose it. We have to want it. ---- Come back to verse 9 tomorrow. I read this verse, and I realized this is why I have pursued the path...

Alma 38:1-6 Here at the outset of Alma's remarks to his second son, Shiblon, there a couple of things that stand out to me: first ,  that Shiblon already was possessor of an intimate witness of God and that his father, Alma, was also aware of that personal testimony that his son possessed. ( see vs 4-5 ) Second , Alma doesn't take credit for the knowledge that he had obtained from God. Rather he says things like this: I would not that ye should think that I know these things of myself and it is the Spirit of God which is in me which maketh these things known unto me and also if I had not been born of God I should not have known these things.  Is all spiritual knowledge then a gift from God? What does Alma mean when he says that it is the Spirit of God which maketh these things known, contrasting that with knowledge that could have been obtained of one's self? What does that do for ownership of one's own testimony? This is again another great Gospel parad...

Alma 37:38-47 In these verses we learn that the Lord has the capacity to create instruments of curious workmanship beyond what men could create. With our modern technology, this seems hard to fathom. However, to create an instrument that works according to their faith in God, this, indeed, no man could do regardless of how intricate or detail it may become. I feel a slight rebuke in subsequent verses. Footnote on "shadow" has me considering Hebrews 8:5 and Mosiah 3:15 "...the words of Christ, if we follow their course, [shall] lead us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise." ( vs.46 ) ---- I've been in this particular set of scripture too long now. I will note though at the end of this study, that feeling that I have from these admonitions of Alma are along the lines of watch always, don't lose sight of the little things, don't give up, "look to God and live." The way is easy, but that doesn't give us licen...

Alma 37:33-37 I love how in five verses Alma preaches the Gospel of Christ and the Plan of Salvation to his son, Helaman. I also love the connection between obedience to commandments and personal revelation through prayer.  Then at the end is the assurance that "if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day." Verses 36 and 37 are were my heart has stayed this morning. It is a reminder at a time when I am really struggling with this very pattern, but I also know that there is no other way. So with a new day, my soul is a little more humble and calm, and I move forward, trusting that He will not lead me astray. --- So it's been a few morning since I started this study. This is the second morning now that I've come to the topic of Israel, its gathering and other related scriptures. This morning, however, the Lord wanted me to know specifically that the Gathering of Israel was long and abundantly prophesied of among the ancient prophets, especially ...

Alma 37:21-32 A preliminary review of these verses points out in my mind two things. Workers of darkness have their signs and wonders --secret oaths and hidden systems to accomplish their wickedness. This could have many modern parallels.  The works of righteousness are different in all things than that of darkness. --- If one does not pay close attention, we miss that these verses are expressly the words of the Lord concerning  darkness and wickedness. Christ is very interested in preserving the faithful even in the midst of darkness. So much so that he even prepares tools that will afford the righteous power to discern wickedness and bring those secret works of darkness out into the light. I am reminded of other adages as I review these verses, like "..it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men;" ( Doctrine and Covenants 3:3 ) I am also reminded of the real difference between wickedness and righteousness, light and darkness.

Alma 37:8-20 This set of scripture is speaking directly to me this morning. Here are the givens, I've been contemplating and sharing the nature of God's commandments. Initially, perhaps we have a tendency to think of commandments written in stone when we think on the commandments of God. Yet to the contrary, what I'm seeing here is fleshy commandments written on the heart, given by revelation. This is what is being asked of me to perform --the things that God has planted in my heart. O remember, remember, my son Helaman, how strict are the commandments of God. And he said: If ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land—but if ye keep not his commandments ye shall be cut off from his presence. So I have some pretty clear instruction that has been given me, and yet I am vacillating about  the particulars of how to accomplish such instruction. Mostly because of what I perceive to be a financial limitation. --- Taking these verses to a layer of abstractio...

Alma 37:1-7 On my initial reading of these verses, I've spent a lot of time reviewing the footnotes found in verses 6 and 7 . On the word "small" I was brought Doctrine and Covenants 123:16-17 , which reads: You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves. Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.  I read last evening elsewhere about the power of a smile. And the Lord this morning seems to validating this thought, while also encouraging me on in my life's great (yet simple) mission. Action Item: smile and cheerful do all things that are in your power, and leave the rest to God. On a second day of study, my searches took me to contemplate the footnotes on "wise" purpose...