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.
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Taking these verses to a layer of abstraction (borrowing a term from computer science), in verse 14 we read:
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Then on to the promises. The final three verses talk of God being faithful in fulfilling all his promise to use these records for the blessing of future generations. Alma doesn't understand how God plans to do so, but he knows that he will use them to show forth his power. He references the conversion of the Lamanites which was facilitated by these records.
(It impresses me that this is what is missing in my own home -- a knowledge of the truth.) "...he will also still show forth his power in them unto future generations; therefore they shall be preserved." (vs. 19)
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.
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Taking these verses to a layer of abstraction (borrowing a term from computer science), in verse 14 we read:
And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted you with these things, which are sacred, which he has kept sacred, and also which he will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in him...There are sacred purposes for which the Lord has prepared me, which I feel I have not yet realized. Recognizing this life's work that is still pending, we continue to read in verses 15 and 16:
And now behold, I tell you by the spirit of prophecy, that if ye transgress the commandments of God, behold, these things which are sacred shall be taken away from you by the power of God, and ye shall be delivered up unto Satan, that he may sift you as chaff before the wind.
But if ye keep the commandments of God, and do with these things which are sacred according to that which the Lord doth command you, (for you must appeal unto the Lord for all things whatsoever ye must do with them) behold, no power of earth or hell can take them from you, for God is powerful to the fulfilling of all his words.As Nephi did liken all the words of Isaiah unto himself for the profit and learning of his people, I am taking license in these verses to take personal application of this exchange.
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Then on to the promises. The final three verses talk of God being faithful in fulfilling all his promise to use these records for the blessing of future generations. Alma doesn't understand how God plans to do so, but he knows that he will use them to show forth his power. He references the conversion of the Lamanites which was facilitated by these records.
(It impresses me that this is what is missing in my own home -- a knowledge of the truth.) "...he will also still show forth his power in them unto future generations; therefore they shall be preserved." (vs. 19)
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